Ryan really wanted to go to Canada so we started planning last fall. The week we were to head up north a forest fire started in the back country area we had reserved. We regrouped with our friends the Squires to see how we wanted to change our plans. We decided to look for front country camping or other back country options. We had front country camping reservations as we drove 1,000 miles north but in transit were able to find another back country option. We stayed the first night in Calgary then drove into the park--first stop: Lake Louise.
Wild flowers everywhere!
First steps into our 4 day, 3 night back country experience.
At the ink pots, first day.
Standing around and filtering water.
We stayed the first night at Larry's Camp. We were right by the river and hardly a soul in sight. The next day we headed deeper into the wilderness.
We crossed streams and meadows and ice floes, etc.
Never too many rests, Gina!
The second night we camped by a creek 1 km down from Lake Llewellyn. Ryan and Nate hung their hammocks, Ryan climbed in and we heard a loud creak. One of the trees he was anchored on starting tipping in. We thought it might cause a domino effect but luckily the next tree held fast. They quickly changed where they anchored their hammocks.
After setting up camp we headed up to Lake Llewellyn--so gorgeous and not a soul around, until after a brief dip in the lake!
Family Fun
Breakfast in the rain the morning of Gina's birthday.
We hiked back to Larry's Camp but camped on 3 different sites and used the lower cooking area so it was like a brand new area.
We played for hours at the creek--building dams, soaking feet, scavenging rocks and watching the clouds float by.
And other times just hung around. Love all the moss in the background!
Ryan and Brynn storing our food out of the reach of the bears we never saw.
We had a surprise party to celebrate Gina's birthday with freeze dried raspberry crumble (this really was special on day 3)!! Ryan is hiding behind a fir branch and Nate and Elle are hiding low to the ground to avoid ruining the surprise.
The next morning we packed up camp and scurried mostly down but some up the 9 km back to our cars so we could arrive early enough to visit Lake Moraine. Our gorgeous early morning views.
Last picture before jumping in the cars.
Beautiful view of the glacier above Lake Moraine but we missed getting into the area by 10 minutes--ughhh!
We drove back along the Parkway, stopping at the Castles and many other pull offs.
Back to the city of Banff and into the best showers ever before a relaxing soak in the Hot Springs! We took a jaunt up to the source of all that hot water and sulfur. Little did we know we were soaking in mysteriously radioactive waters.
We drove back to Calgary stopping by the temple and then a brief visit to downtown Calgary.
After fluffy beds and more showers we drove south, guess we didn't sleep enough yet.
A quick stop in Cardston to visit the first temple built outside the US in 1923.
After leaving Canada with a generous apology, "sorry!" we drove to Glacier National Park. It is beautiful but excessively crowded. It was difficult and sometimes impossible to find parking--no hiking for us, we were just wishing for the backcountry.
We stopped at several creeks and lakes for more rock finding, rock skipping and general relaxation.
Seth, Nathan, Ian, Brook, Ryan, Brynn
Just a bit further south with accommodations in Big Fork, Montana with dinner and fun on Flathead Lake.
log rolling,
geese flapping,
geese chasing,
paddle boarding,
and sun setting fun!!
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