Trekking with Nicola (and the dogs)

 A tarn is a mountain lake. I didn't know that until we did this hike. We returned to Pedley Pass with Elizabeth, Geordie and Hart. The hike starts up toward the pass through the bumpy and meadow and then, just before the last hike up to the pass, a fork in the path turns south toward the tarn. This was the path taken by us. The sky was not smokey as it been on our previous visit to the area. We let the dogs run almost as soon as we left the parking lot. Pippa and Finian were good up until the Bumpy Meadow when they began hearing the peep of marmots. These got progressively worse as we neared the tarn. Trees became more scarce and the spaces between clumps were covered with wildflowers, particularly fireweed which grew in abundance. The drone of honey bees was constant which reminded me of the fireweed honey we had back home.  Bumpy Meadow  Fireweed with mountains in the distance The plan was to swim in the tarn. Pippa chased a marmot up the mountainside and by the time I...

 This was probably our most exciting trail as it follows a ridge, sometimes with steep drops on either or both sides. We got to the trail late, as usual, because we have to have two cups of coffee in the morning, read and catch up on social media and the online newspapers. So, we didn't arrive until 12 noon. Only one other couple arrived at about the same time and after seeing them in the parking lot, we wouldn't see them again. We're rather slow and steady you see.  Surprisingly, Harold from the previous nights bat count was sitting at a picnic table, he and other volunteers had just completed constructing. You see there's a local trail organisation that's responsible for maintaining local trails. Pedley Pass is Harold's. Now, he and two others were celebrating their new construction with a few Fernie IPAs. He asked if we were doing the loop. The trail doesn't indicate a loop but we said yes anyway. He suggested we start on the trail to our left as they had...

 We embarked on this hike in 30 degree weather. Not the most ideal conditions for climbing almost 400 metres. That said, we did manage. We drove over a cow pasture to a trailhead that was clearly marked. Then, it was a steady uphill climb. After a couple of kilometres we passed the stream for the first time. The air was cool right by the creek so we took a break there. The bridge consisted of two logs that had been cut lengthwise with the flat side up to walk on. There was also a railing to hang onto. The bridge spanned the creek at quite a height so I carried each of the dogs over in turn. This ended up being completely unnecessary as on the way back they easily walked over on their own. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the challenge.  The trail continues up on a steep upward climb until it reaches another bridge and, according to my AllTrails map, that was the end which was a bit of a disappointment. We had hoped we'd reach a pass or a plateau with a view of the valley. This wa...

 This was a first overnight hike. We'd purchase a tent at MEC that had been used the previous year as a rental. It's condition was essentially new. Our sleeping bags we bought from the ____ manufacturer in Vancouver. The others, from here and there. Lots a great equipment is available here in the area as it's a centre for such activities (Enough of the prattle.) We'd limited our packs to the essentials except for three minis of rye and one of rum. The trail's a very easy 6.3 kilometres in that we completed in under two hours. (Much to our surprise.) Basically, a bunch of gentle ups and downs and a lot of flat. Someone had even pushed a stroller in, not carrying a baby, but supplies.  The near side of the lake is flat where the campsite is located. Not realising the sites line a peninsula, we stopped at the first site located on the shore. We shared space with three others, only one occupied by a couple of young girls. Nicola informed me that overnight hiking was bec...