My Backpack Trip, Days 3-4

Days 3, another ridge and a coal mine
Storm Ridge
approx. 9 k

Pack up the pass from Mist River
day hike onto Storm Ridge
some grass, lots of rock
I got a sore paw and got a lift over the rough rocks
sheep shadowed us
some horse packers disappeared in the distance
no water on the ridge
snow for snowball fetch and cooling hot paws
hot
steep, soft trail down the pass to Burns mine townsite
wandering on a pile of coal at abandonded Burns Mine

3 paws up

                                     Storm Ridge, with Storm Mt. behind

                                  bed time, Burns Mine Townsite camp, Day 3-4

Day 4, Alpine Lake
Burns Lake Day hike
approx. 24 k return

an easy walk on the Sheep River Trail
lots of river crossings-I needed a lift, a long legged swimming dog would do OK
some horse packers (horses are weird, don't you think?)
an old cabin to explore
trail through the forest on a seismic cut line
lots of streams for drinking
soft trail until the alpine
I got a lift over the rough rocks
some snow for soothing paws
pack a yummy lunch for this long day

3 paws up (maybe more if my paws weren't sore!)

               Sheep River Trail-getting ready for a river crossing

                                               Burns Lake, there are fish in there!

                                       Can you wind surf with your ears?

My Backpack Trip, Day 2

Day 2, the view
Mist Ridge
approx. 12 k

bushwack to meet the Mist Trail
grassy trailbed with some rocks
no water on the rolling ridge
snow for frollicking
birds and ground squirrels
hot when the sun is out
cool when the sun is hidden
no other humans or dogs
humans "oo-ing and ah-ing" about the view
soft trail down to the Mist River camp

3 paws up

                                    I'm glad I'm not a beast of burden!

                                                         Yeah, that's me panting!

                                                            Mist River camp Day 2

    Humans go ga-ga over this kind of thing....I just want to go to sleep!

My Backpack Trip, Day 1

Elbow Sheep Wildlands Provincial Park, Alberta
Highwood Range Route
July 6-11

Day 1, a pleasant walk
Picklejar Creek Day Use Area, Kananaskis
The trail leaves Picklejar Creek and on to an un-named pass below Mist Ridge
approx. 5 k

soft trailbed
streams for drinking
meadows for ground squirrels
no other humans or dogs
Shady forest then grassy meadow
an easy walk

1 paw up

Day 1 camp in a meadow

                                                                                  

Blue Collar

I was at work the other day. Stuck between the monitor and the phone. Humans came and went.
I looked out the window. Checked the montior. Waited for the phone to ring. Humans came and went.
The chair was too hard. The desk was too dusty. It was too hot, then too cold.
Humans wandered back and forth, fast, slow, shuffling, stomping, jogging, strolling, muttering, whistling,

and although I waited and looked my cutest, not one of them thought to bring me a coffee!

Two Good

What luck,
two days and two trails!

Vernon Hill,
east of town
distance, as long as you want
elevation, as high as you want

some cow paths to follow
speargrass
tall weeds and grasses, perfect for tunnelling
a stream for drinking
cows for mooing and stampeding
sun and shade

1 paw up


Enderby Cliffs
Enderby Cliffs Prov. Park
5 k
700 meters

shady trail
steeply eroded
squirrels abound!
birds and mosquitos
no water, bring some..it is hot!
lot's of humans and dogs
I wore my leash at the rim

Lunch with a view

1 paw up

Man, I'm a hot dog. Too bad that river is so very far away.

Easter Bluffs

Easter Bluffs Trail
Wells Gray Prov. Park
14 k return
300 m gain

start at the boat launch
a lakeside walk
swimming
a bit of mud for romping
some blowdown to practice your jumping and balance
big old trees
the higher you go, the more mosquitos
fun rocks to scramble on
not many people or pups

1 paw up


Buchannan, Garnet and Clearwater Lake

Yay, I love this part, there is usually meat on a stick!

The Walk

The walk was familiar, same trail, same hills, same trees, same sun, the muddy stream, the prickly bushes, the humans chatting. The scents of grouse, deer, mice and squirrels, the singing song birds and squawking crows.

The same, but different.

Your scent was there. I sniffed the pee places where you'd been. I saw your paw print in the soft mud by the stream.

We have been this way together, but not today.

I imagine your steamy hot breath and your lolling pink tongue. I see your long shapely legs that I've always envied and loved to dance with. I remember trotting behind you, wearing the fluffy white tip of your tail as a hat.

The walk today was different. I am missing you, my friend.

Happy trails to you Howie.