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WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK - Aug 10-11th, 2002

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Tell us you were here: Hi to Carol.

DAY 1           Bike / Hike to Avion Ridge

 

Starting at Red Rock Canyon we biked the 8.2 km. along Bauerman Creek to the Snowshoe wardens cabin

It was a pleasant and gentle climb.

Last push to the warden's cabin

  We are now in Bear Grass country. At the cabin we locked up the bikes, donned our hiking boots and headed for Avion Ridge

 

We walked for ages through the bear grass.

 

Donna emerging from the forest onto open slopes.
MOVIE: Hiking through the Bear Grass

(Oops, sorry for camera angle)

 Bear Grass: Rocky Mtn Goats eat the mature leaves, bears the softer leaf bases in spring, and bighorn sheep, deer, and elk feed on the flower clusters and stems. It commonly grows on dry hillsides and subalpine meadows. Waterton Lakes National Park is the only Canadian national park in which bear grass grows.
     

Our destination - Avion Ridge

Andy hiking through the Larch

The mighty weight lifter?

Wild flowers everywhere.

The final climb up the ridge.

Lunch on Avion Ridge
MOVIE: The gang on the top of Avion Ridge

Alpine Forget-Me-Not

Groundsel

     

A forest of Bear Grass frames the peaks behind.
 

Put your left foot in and shake it all about

One last break before the final descent.
 
DAY 2           Crandell Mtn Circuit / Cameron Creek Trail  (approx 21 km)

The weather was a little dodgy in the morning, but it soon fined up. Most of the group hiked into Wall Lake while 3 of us did the following bike tour.

You're almost guaranteed to see bears along the road to Red Rock Canyon. We were watching the bear in the bottom of the picture but didn't notice his buddy up above. I think we saw 7 bears on the way in the day before. Most right along side the road with the hundreds of tourists blocking the road.

Andy on the start of the trail.

Jim strolling along Crandell Lake with Crandell Mtn. in the background.
 

Andy didn't go for a dip, but we did spend quite some time sitting and   basking on the rocks.

The first part of the trail from the lake was thick and lush....

 

.....before breaking out onto open, rocky slopes

 

You don't have to look far to find wild flowers.

Brown Eyed Susan

 

Checking the view

Jim and Andy

Breathtaking view of Waterton Lake. From here the trail is quite rocky and fairly tricky in spots before easing into a fast rolling trail to the townsite.

 
Andy and Jim navigate down a tricky section. It doesn't look difficult in this picture but it is advisable to make sure you make the left turn. Otherwise you could find yourself next to the highway in a hot second.

 

Waterton Lake
Prince of Wales Hotel. Named after Prince Charles. Cameron Falls and the end of another great ride.
   
Another great weekend. Thanks to Jim for organizing us and to Joanne, Steve, Donna, Ursula, Mike, Andy, Roy & Carol for great company.