Trekking with Nicola (and the dogs)

 We'd climbed Pinto Mountain last year in the smoke with limited views in the distance. This hike was much different with spectacular views stretching across a number of ranges toward the east and well into the Purcells to the west. The hike was gruelling made more difficult by two terriers that wanted nothing more than to pursue pikas all over the mountain. Through the forest, they weren't a problem but when we emerged above the tree line or on avalanche chutes, these little creatures were out in abundance.  Stats - 10.9 kilometres - Elevation Gain - 987 metres Trail - This was an arduous, gruelling climb that was considerably less fun on the way down. It begins with a walk through the woods densely populated with fir trees and little undergrowth. Toward the beginning of the trail, a strong wind or avalanche has caused a number trees to fall in a north westerly direction.  Most of these have been cleared from the path however, some must have proven too difficult to move ...

We tried to start out early today because it was supposed to rain in the afternoon starting at about 3:00. Amazingly, we were on the trail by about 9:30 a.m.  Stats - 12.95 kilometres - Elevation gain - 630 metres  Trail - We've always seen many vehicles parked in the lot at the start of the trail and, during the summer, along the highway as well. The lot was just beginning to fill up as we were arriving. A van of about 12 hikers and two guides embarking just as we were doing the same. We passed them and then Nicola reminded me that I hadn't brought sunglasses so I walked back about a half kilometre to get them. We would pass them again where the guide had stopped to explain a fire had recently burned through the area. She asked her guests how long ago that might have been considering the size of the fir trees densely populating slope. One guy guessed about three years obviously having no idea of the impact of climate and altitude and growth. In point of fact, fire swept throu...

Before embarking on this trail, we needed to claim our campsite in Marble Canyon because we couldn't park our trailer at the trailhead. The official time for checking-in was 2:00 p.m. however, when we arrived about 1:00 p.m., we decided to try checking-in early. We should have guessed that there'd be a self-check-in so we could have come at any time so long as our site was open. And, so it was. Our primary goal was to hike the Stanley Glacier Trail but, we thought it was a bit late in the day to start out so, we thought we'd try the Numa Creek trail instead.  Stats - length - 13.5 kilometres - Elevation gain - 685 metres  Trail - According to the Alltrails stats, this hike would have been longer and involved a higher elevation gain had we been able to complete. Unfortunately, that was not possible. After crossing the Numa Creek, about a third of the way in (#1 on the map), the trail quickly deteriorates. A landslide with piles of fallen tree trunks cover the original path. ...