Assiniboine Loop

Mt. Assiniboine

 Aug 2012

It's been nearly a year since I posted last - Its amazing how fast time can go! I know there are a few people out there that still check back here now and again to look for updates, so here it goes.

This was our other big trip of summer 2012- a 4 day backpacking trip into Assiniboine Provincial Park with my Dad.  Its a 53.6 km loop, starting and finishing from Mt. Shark. 

 

Dad and Paul about 5 km into the trail

  

The trail is well trodden and follows Bryant Creek all the way to Assiniboine pass.  Despite it being a heavily used trail, we saw only two others on the way in.

Assiniboine is very close to grizzly territory, and some of the trails are closed to reduce grizzly/hiker conflicts. Our path took us right on the border of restricted zones, so we made our presence know by shouting, singing, chanting and otherwise talking very loudly.

 We didn't actually see any bears; though we certainly passed by each other without noticing. We found a pile of fresh steamy bear scat on the trail that appeared sometime in the 10 minute gap between two large groups on their way from Wonder Pass, and also talked to a couple staying at the McBride campground (where we spent our first night) that had been watching a Grizzly Bear not too far up the valley that same evening. 

 It was a eventful trip for other wildlife though!  It started off with this guy ^ and overly friendly grouse of some sort.  He (or she??) popped out of the brush and got so close we could of reached out and pet him.  He let us take a bunch of photos and then proceeded to follow us down the trail begging for handouts.  He stuck with us for a ways before he figured out we were not going to give him anything and then stood at a high spot on the trail watching us walk way.

 Cameron, Day 2


 Playing on Grandpa's backpack

Family photo!  Assiniboine pass is just around the bend behind us.

 Our first view of Assiniboine.  It was pretty hazy because of wild fire in the area, so its hard to see in the photo, but just take my word when I say it was an AMAZING site!! Paul was pretty stoked. Good photo of Dad and me/cam despite the washed out background!

  Cam and his Grandpa taking in the view!

 Real life Truffula's

 Our packs infront of Assiniboine lodge, where we enjoyed a well deserved (and expensive) beer.

 No rest for the wicked, after just one night up in the park, we are on our way again.

 Assiniboine

 The whole family

Summiting Wonder Pass with Assinaboine park behind us

 Wonder Pass

This is a view of a glacier across the valley from Wonder Pass.  Wonder pass and wonder lake  itself was probably one of the visual highlights of the trip, but it didn't photograph well.  The photos just don't give it justice at all.  Its a steep drop down into the valley bottom - nearly 500m of elevation loss, with no water and boy was it killer hot when we ended up taking it on.

 Resting in the shade.
Carrying the baby and the angle of the trail was not good to my ankle and we had to stop half way down the decent so I could rest, tape my ankle and we could transfer some of the weight to Paul's not so small backpack (the grey one in the photo). Thanks Paul!

 Nature Baby, in his element

This deer was another WAY to friendly critter.  We suspect this was the deer that surprised us with a very friendly visit at our cook site, and then was doing all the rustling in the brush around our tent the first night (a little nerve racking with all the bear warnings fresh in our heads).  She was there to welcome us to our final campsite on the way back.  Unfortunately, Cam was not a fan. In fact he was VERY scared of this doe and would scream in panic when ever she showed up. 

 Cam doing his bear noise duties

 Finally, Cam does a bit of hiking himself

 Searching for wild strawberries