It's a great time to go. I didn't do any camping but we went a few years ago in late July (berry season is bear season) and saw an abundance of wildlife - multiple grizzlies, mtn. goats, caribou, moose, bighorn sheep. Just know that time of year (I think it's actually first August weekend) is also the Canadian Labor Day and busiest weekend of the year. And the road from Banff to Jasper is the most beautiful place I've ever been.
We’re looking at camping the nights of July 25-27, leave the 28th, so hopefully miss some crowds. Tons of camping spots along the Ice Fields Pkwy. Just need to secure some permits. We waited too long so campervans are scarce (and expensive to rent), so may just car camp.
Was there last year in August and September. Had smoke at both times. July is soon to be the end of the season before it starts
So all the campgrounds along the icefield parkway — approx 70 miles between Banff and Jasper — are first come/first serve. Reading recent reviews says spots are tight, but there will be something available. Having a car/van instead of an RV is recommended. Think we’re going to stay more North towards Jasper (hopefully at one of those spots on the Parkway) for all 3 nights, head to Banff/Lake Louise our last day. Def bringing the SUP for Louise and hopefully some more. Plan is to leave Seattle Wednesday night and drive through the night, get to Jasper for sunrise on Thursday. Thurs-Fri-Sat, head back after breakfast on Sunday. Now to research which hikes we’ll do.
I love this part of a trip. Have one planned for September and I'm already reading about trails every night.
Question about car camping. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but it's my first time doing a multi-nighter solo (GF doesn't count). I have enough camping equipment for two (and can borrow a kitchen), so supplies won't be an issue. Every time I go into the backcountry, I go with friends and we take their trucks/SUVs. Both the GF and I drive Camrys. However, what's to stop us from loading our car up with camping gear and driving to Banff in that? Weather won't be an issue at all, and we're not really going into the backcountry--everything I read says you can pull your car right up to the campground, unload, and then park somewhere else. We're not really hauling gear anywhere. Am I missing something re: taking a Camry into the mountains? Edit: Tripadvisor says the roads are superb, and small cars are no issue. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTop..._Banff-Banff_Banff_National_Park_Alberta.html https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTop..._A_Car-Banff_Banff_National_Park_Alberta.html
I assume you’re doing day hikes. I really loved hiking to Sentinel Pass at Moraine Lake. The Iceline Trail in Yoho looks amazing and was so bummed when we couldn’t do that one. I’ll be in RMNP next week which I’m excited about but I’m still recovering from knee surgery and have an infant with me so nothing too strenuous. We’re staying on the west side of the park - away from the best peaks and lakes (and crowds). I’ve read the valleys in the west are the best for wildlife so I may just post up in the mornings and evenings.
How far off paved roads are the camp sites? You should be fine assuming dirt/gravel roads aren't rutted out and your car can make it through mountains. At least that's what I'd say about CO, never been to Canada eh.
Super close. All of the sites on the Icefields Parkway are right off the main highway, less than 1/4 mile. Spoiler Google roadview shows the roads to be fine: Spoiler Also spoke to my friend who has been to Jasper twice, and he says during the summer my car would be fine. Just going to load up everything like we're going into the backcountry and put it in my trunk. Saving a shitload of $$$
Yea, just day hikes. Thanks for the suggestions, I have some research to do. Want to do at least one super-gnarly one, the rest will probably be pretty chill.
When planning your hikes pay attention to the description of the trailhead. I'm having to rent a Jeep because multiple trailheads we're going to have stream crossings and clearance issues. The trail descriptions on AllTrails and hikingwalking.com is how I learned.
Most if not all established campsites in large parks like that are easy to access in the busy season. Shouldn’t be a problem at all. Have fun.
Took the GOAT to Goat Lake today. About 1 1/2 hours north in the Snoqualmie National Forest. 10.5 miles in and out, but really flat--only gain 1,100 feet. Spoiler
Imagine being able to see under the water like that, and know that there is not a Gator in the water. Beautiful scenery man.
Did a couple of nice hikes in the Seattle area this weekend. Friday in Mt Rainier NP then Saturday based solely on the pics from BamaNug above we went to Mt Baker-Snoqualmie Natl Forest and hiked up to Goat Lake. Friday was the first day the road to Mowich Lake was opened, so drove there after lunch and found it deserted which was awesome. My previous visit was 5 years ago on a July weekday and it was jam packed. Did the Tolmie Peak trail and even though it was high 40's with drizzle and we couldn't see Mt Rainier from the top the hike was incredible. Took this photo of Eunice Lake while on our way up to the peak Spoiler
Really enjoyed the hike to Goat Lake as well. We went off the trail to get a look at the waterfall below the lake and ended up hiking up the waterfall to the top. Scary moment as some people showed up with a big golden retriever off leash that jumped right into one of the pools mid-way down and immediately started getting swept away. Luckily he was able to get enough power to swim to the side because his owner was about to jump in after him and they both would have gone over. Spoiler
Heading out to Denver for a bachelor party later today. Thinking about trying to head out to Rocky Mtn NP Friday morning and Saturday morning. Anyone have any suggestions for some hikes? Friday morning we won't have tons of time but Saturday morning we should have most of the day.
Nice man! I know the exact waterfall you're talking about, we stopped and spent some time, too. That current is super is powerful, dumb owners. Water at Goat lake is so green, it's gorgeous. We had way too much to drink at Snow Lake on Saturday and stumbled our way down the mountain around 4-5. But always a good day to SUP in this scenery. I'm addicted to this thing, Spoiler Either doing part of the PCT to Mirror Lake tomorrow, or Oyster Dome that overlooks the San Juans. Really depends on whether I bring the dog or not.
Read this site below. Still a shit ton of snow up there if you're going to cover some mileage in the woods. Lower elevations much better if you have limited equipment (gaiters, waterproof footwear). https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_conditions.htm Lost Creek Wilderness (down Highway 285) is in very good shape, and Bison Peak is a pretty epic classic if you have the fitness and get acclimatized. Lost Creek has many other less strenuous options. You can save yourself from snow and stay near Boulder on something like Bear Peak. It's a pretty good haul, with Boulder views. There were literal bears messing with people the last time I was up there, fun to watch. https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7000130/bear-peak-out-and-back
Did an overnighter with the GF and dog this past weekend, first trip where I'm the only one with any (see: minimal) experience. But it went well, the only negative was how much she hated dehydrated food. Barclay Lake, about 2 hours NE, simply 4 miles in and super flat, gain less than 1,000 feet. Spoiler Nugget did not understand the firewood was for burning. It may have been one of the most fun days of his life, he was in heaven. Spoiler
Ended up doing second beach which is right there. It was epic, highly recommend. Did two nights, was really badass to have no technology that whole time
Only a few miles north of Toleak Point, where we went for Memorial Day for 2 nights. Love the Olympic forest coming right to the beach, it's incredible. We're doing Gothic Basic Saturday, up in Snoqualmie near Granite Falls. About 9 miles roundtrip, 3,500 gain. Been wanting to do it for a long time. Want to do an overnighter but not sure if I can get away yet: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/gothic-basin-trail--2?ref=result-card First review:
I did Camp Muir this past Saturday. Cloudy the whole time with whiteout conditions at a couple points so going to have to do it again on a bluebird day. Glissading down for two miles though was a blast.
I had not heard that. Even more pumped now Muir is awesome. Did it last fall, also in whiteout conditions. When we got to basecamp everything froze solid, couldn't drink out of my camelpack for like an hour. Can't imagine what it would look like on a clear day. Spoiler
We did not, but I always hang anything that remotely smells like food far away in a tree. Some places require you to have a bear canister for your food (Olympic National Park), and the Rangers come by and check on that. With as much as I intend to camp this summer, I really need to buy some bear spray. I'll probably continue to just hang my food when I go to sleep.
I got one for christmas but have yet to use it. However, I have a cousin who used one during a multi night trek up Mount Whitney and I thought it was pretty cool. She was able to text me updates and I was able to see her exact path online. That experience made me decide on getting one, especially for some upcoming solo stuff I'm looking at doing.
Do yall use any iphone Apps to track the route/GPS? I have Maps.Me and Gaia, wondering if there's something better.
After 15 minutes off online research I have paid $19.99 for an annual membership to GAIA premium. Thank you all for your help during these trying times.
Gothic Basin was incredible. Pretty damn difficult--3,300 feet in 4.5 miles, slept at 5,400 ft. Woke up and tried to climb a peak, but got about 6,000 feet and had to call it, was getting pretty dangerous. Only thing that sucked was the amount of people--there were probably 70-80 people within like a 1 mile radius. We counted 25+ tents just in our view, and we were only on one part of the basin. But no fires allowed, and everybody we encountered was cool. Spoiler Sunset was something else. The stars were unreal, but I need to learn how to make stars appear in photographs. I think just super long exposure Spoiler We tried to climb Gothic Peak, which is the far left peak above our tent. 6,200 feet, so you have to scramble about 800 feet in super short distance. I was with my friend and we only have minimal experience, so we got close but decided to call it, just weren't feeling safe. Will try again at some point, and would've felt more comfortable with somebody with more experience--we didn't really know what route to take when we got close. Right before our final scramble, we got right to the top of that last snowfield toward the top: Spoiler Our highest point. GPS had us at right at 6,000 feet, with the loose rocks and no clear path. Spoiler
Planning a 5 day 4?night hike to hit the Virginia Triple Crown in late October. Just starting to research all the gear as I’ve only ever done day hikes (maxed out at 9/10 hours round trip and around 5-6k top elevation.) This is a rabbit hole I didn’t know I needed.
Shelter, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. And pillow. Water filter and stove. Headlamp. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
You're gonna need extra water containers. A large section of that has no water source. I don't Camelback so I use Platypus. You could have any type of weather in late October. Could be hot as balls or blizzard like. I got hit with monsoon rains last October up in Shenandoah.
After buying a good, light water filter, I don't think I'm going to be using my camelback much more. So much easier to have 1 big bottle and a good filter (assuming you have a consistent water source)--and you have more room for beer. I am fully embracing the ultra-light life.
Leave for Jasper Wednesday night. Have about 3-4 campsites picked out along the Ice Fields Parkway. Weather looks pretty awesome Spoiler Driving through the night and then hiking Wilcox Pass on Thursday, moderate hike. Maybe an easy lake that afternoon if we're not exhausted. Friday doing the Iceline Trail, looks phenomenal. Saturday doing Lake Moraine/Lake Louise/tourist stuff in Banff with the SUP.
I have a small repair kit that came with it, to patch it up if need be. Filter should be good for a while, but not a bad suggestion.
I’ve got a a sawyer squeeze that I’ve converted to after spending a lot of money on an osprey camelback supported pack. Assumed water wasn’t sparse, will need to look into a 2 or 4L backup reservoir I guess.