Hiking Trails - Sawback Trail Day 4

The Sawback Trail follows the rugged Sawback Range from the town of Banff to Lake Louise over a distance of 74km (about 45 miles). There are side trails to be discovered too which would increase the distance.

Note: some of the trails are not well marked except for the main trail and the horse trail. It is recommended that hikers carry a compass and obtain the relevant maps for the areas they will be hiking in from Gem Trek . Topographic maps: 82 O/4, 82 O/5. An excellent preview map from ParksCanada on Banff National Park's backcountry trails, campsites including information on the different users of the trails can be seen here. It will help in planning your outdoor excursions.

Maximum elevation: 2345m (7700 ft)
Minimum elevation: 1615m (5300 ft)


[36- Larry's Campground sign]


Larry's Camp (Jo9) is located in the trees as pictured above next to Johnson Creek. There are several fire pits near the creek.

On Day 4 the hike covers a distance of about 10km after leaving Larry’s Campground at the 29.3km mark (Jo9 on ParksCanada map) to Luellen Lake. The trail is a relatively slow climb in the forest along Johnston Creek.



[37- Block mountain]


At the 33km mark the trail passes the Johnston Creek warden cabin.



[38- Warden cabins]


At 37.9km the trail branches left and crosses over the Johnston Creek bridge to the west bank and campground.



[39- Young black bear - click to enlarge]





[40- Clark's Nutcracker]

This bird is often seen around camp sites and picnic areas where it scavenges for scraps of food. Though its main food source is pine nuts.



At the 38km mark the hiker will arrive at the junction with the Luellen Lake Trail, where anglers can fish. Although the lake has not been stocked with fish for years, there are still enough for anglers and osprey.


[41- Lake Luellen with Helena Ridge behind]







The Luellen Lake campground (Jo19-ParksCanada) is another 1.0km.




[42 -Osprey above]

They build their nests in a tall tree or on a rock pinnacle located near water, often returning to the same nest each year.








[43- Luellen Lake - click to enlarge. The mountain to the left is Helena Ridge that backs onto the rear of Castle Mountain.]


Luellen Lake is long and narrow in a forest of englemann spruce and alpine fir at an elevation of 1,985m.



Sources:
ParksCanada – Banff
ParksCanada Backcountry Overview
ParksCanada Trail Conditions
ParksCanada Backpacking Equipment Checklist
http://waputik.tripod.com/gdt_sawback.htm
Gem Trek maps for Lake Louise and Skoki
Gem Trek maps for Banff and Mount Assiniboine
HI Hostels Intl Survival Guide
A Field Guide to Birds of North America, Michael Vanner, 2006, p. 73, 169.

Photo Credits: [36][38]-Shane Huang CC=nc-sa-flickr, [37]-Kris Griffon CC=nc-sa-flickr, [39]-Kasey Kasey CC=nc-sa-flickr, [40][42] Chris & Lara Pawluk CC=nc-flickr, [41]-meganpru CC=nc-flickr, [43]-lafalott CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Fishing Tuesday - Lake St. Clair

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This photo was taken on the Ontario side of Lake St. Clair, as the water separates the province from the American state of Michigan. Lake St. Clair lies between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. The fish most often caught in these waters are walleye, muskie and bass.

Photo Credit: linesight CC=nc-nd-flickr.

My Town Monday - Grand Hotels of the Canadian Pacific Railway

When the Canadian Pacific Railway was built between 1881 and 1885 it became the only connection between eastern Canada and British Columbia. The CPR, as it is known, built several ‘grand hotels’ across the country in varying ‘chateau’ styles: the Chateau Frontenac, the Banff Springs Hotel, the Royal York Hotel and the Empress.



The Chateau Frontenac was opened in 1893 after its sister hotel, the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff did 1887. William Cornelius Van Horne, the newly appointed president with the CPR, envisioned a string of grand hotels across Canada to draw visitors from abroad.

According to Wikipedia:

“The Château Frontenac was named in honour of Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac, who was governor of the colony of New France from 1672 to 1682 and 1689 to 1698. The Château was built not too far from the historic Citadelle, whose construction Frontenac had begun at the end of the 17th century.”

Two historic posts about Louis de Buade can be found here and here.

The Château Frontenac, like its sister hotels below, has Old-Fashioned Tea . Hours of operation are June to October, Thursday to Saturday, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required.

The original Banff Springs Hotel became such an immediate sensation among the tourists that the CPR encouraged the federal government to establish the first national park.



The Banff Springs Hotel with its unique blend of opulence and seclusion has been a symbol of Rocky Mountain magnificence for more than a century. Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, the Fairmont Banff Springs offers stunning vistas, golf courses, skiing, classic cuisine and a European-style spa. I can provide a personal recommendation for staying in this luxurious hotel. There is nothing quite like this magnificent hotel with the surrounding pristine wilderness. For those visiting Banff and the surrounding area it is a wonderful experience to take Afternoon Tea, available daily, Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The price is quite reasonable, starting at $32Cdn.




The Royal York Hotel opened on June 11, 1929, with 28 floors made it the tallest building in Toronto at the time. State of the art, the hotel had ten elevators, a radio in each of the 1,048 rooms, and what we take for granted now: a private shower or bath in each room.

Something new I was unaware of: in 2008 the hotel installed 3 beehives (three queens and 40,000 workers) on the 13th floor rooftop terrace to produce the chefs with 700 pounds of honey.

All the original Canadian Pacific Railway Hotels had afternoon tea, and the Royal York Hotel has continued this tradition but with an additonal treat: a tour of their Rooftop Garden on the 13th floor. The afternoon tea and rooftop garden tour began on May 23, 2009, continuing every Saturday and Sunday afternoon until September 6, 2009. The tea menu can be seen here. Reservations are required, and subject to availability.







The Fairmont Empress Hotel is considered to be the oldest and finest hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. This Edwardian, chateau-style hotel was designed for CPR Hotels as a terminus hotel for the CPR steamship line terminal a block away. It opened in 1908, with additional wings being added in 1909, 1914 and 1928. Later when the CPR ceased its passenger service, the hotel was successful as a tourist resort in the 1920s.



The Empress Hotel has always had an afternoon tea service in the summer months with sandwiches, fresh scones, preserves and Jersey Cream in its ‘Tea Lobby’. Reservations are required.

The Tea and Garden Package which includes one night accommodation, an afternoon tea and a round trip motorcoach tour to The Butchart Gardens. Prices start at $239Cdn during the off season and is subject to availability.

Some years ago I attended one of these sumptuous tea services at the Empress and found a similar delightful atmosphere at the Claridges Hotel in London, England. Purely divine.

Update:
Travis Erwin wanted to know the distances between these hotels.
The Chateau Frontenanc in Quebec City, Quebec is about 313 miles (504 km) from Toronto where the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is.

Toronto, Ontario is about 1,746 miles (2,811 km) to Banff, Alberta where the Banff Springs Hotel is located.

And the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia is about 395 miles (635 km) from Banff, Alberta.

For anyone wanting to hotel hop this is a long way to go.

Photo Credits: Wikipedia.

Sources: wikipedia – frontenac , http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac,
Wikipedia – Banff Springs Hotel , http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings,
Wikipedia – Fairmont Royal York, http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork,
wikipedia – Canadian Pacific Railway
Wikipedia – Canada’s railway hotels
Wikipedia – The Fairmont Empress Hotel , http://www.fairmont.com/empress.

Travis Erwin from Amarillo, Texas is the founder of My Town Monday. For other locations to visit please go to Travis' site here.

Jewel of the Canadian Rockies

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Lake Louise was first discovered by Tom Wilson, a young surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway, who was accompanied by two Stoney Indian companions on August 21, 1882. Tom had woken to thunder in the morning and decided to investigate the location known as the Lake of Little Fishes by his native horse packer, Eddy Hunter. After several hours of trail blazing through lodge-pole pines and aspen they came upon the sight of the lake nestled at the bottom of towering mountains and glaciers above, the sight so beautiful to the young surveyor he sank to his knees at the shoreline in awe. Tom called it his “Emerald Lake” and in 1884, Dr. G. M. Dawson, head of the Geological Survery renamed Tom’s mountain jewel “Lake Louise” after Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, and wife to Marquess of Lorne, Duke of Argyll, then Governor-General of Canada.

Mount Victoria forms the backdrop of Lake Louise with a height of 3,464 m (11,365 ft), and named by J. Norman Collie in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria.


Photo Credit: Alex Art CC=flickr.

Sources:
The Canadian Rockies by Roger Patillo, Trafford Publishing, pp. 54, 60, 62-64.
Peakfinder.com

Bench of the Week (7)

This waiting bench was taken in Troy, Ontario. A perfect place to wait for someone with a book in hand. Click on photo to enlarge it.

RuneE from Visual Norway was the originator of Bench of the Week on Friday. Today he has an interesting collection of photos to show the set off.

PERBS from The Love of Benches has an interesting set.

Gerald England of Ackworth Born, Gone West has a delightful bench up at his blog. Set in the shade it sits in welcome.

Phoenix C. from Sylvan Muse has a bench in a stunning garden.

Photo Credit: frank-click! CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Hiking Trails - Sawback Trail - Day 3

[14-Mystic Lake - click to enlarge]

The Sawback Trail goes from the town of Banff to Lake Louise following the rugged Sawback range over a distance of 74km (about 45 miles). Many hikers take this as a four to five day hike, although this series of posts will reflect a more leisurely hike with frequent stops. There are campgrounds in convenient locations to allow the hiker to stay an extra day to explore other trails that branch off the main trail. I should note here that some of the trails are not well marked except for the main trail and the horse trail. It is recommended that hikers carry a compass and obtain the relevant maps for the areas they will be hiking in from Gem Trek . Topographic maps: 82 O/4, 82 O/5.

Maximum elevation: 2345m (7700 ft)
Minimum elevation: 1615m (5300 ft)

On Day 3 the hike covers a distance of about 10.6 km with the trail leaving the Mystic Lake campground at the 18.6 km mark. For the less fit hiker this is an adequate distance due to the rugged terrain covered.

After walking the 0.5km to return to the main trail where it climbs for another 3.6km until Mystic Pass is reached at 22.7km (2285m). Be warned that snow can remain on the pass until well into the summer.



[15 - On the trail - Click to enlarge]




As a reminder where visibility is poor please make noise to alert any bears that may be in the area. This will allow them to move away. Groups of three or more hikers are less likely to be charged or attacked by a bear.



[16- Trail - click to enlarge]



[17- Alpine aster]




[18 - Pine Marten - click to enlarge]

Pine Martens belong to the weasel family. They can be sneak thieves around campsites.




[19 - Mountains near Mystic Pass - click to enlarge]






[20 - Mystic Pass view - click to enlarge]




[21 - Mystic Pass - click to enlarge]


Enroute to Mystic Pass the trees become sparse resulting in improved views.




[22 - Rest near top of Mystic Pass - click to enlarge]





[23 - Mystic Pass - click to enlarge]




[24 - Mystic Pass - click to enlarge]







[25 - Black bear]




[26 - View from Mystic Pass - click to enlarge]





[27 - Toad - click to enlarge]


From Mystic Pass to Larry’s Campground (Jo9 on map below) the distance is approximately 6.5 km.

Care must be taken as the trail descends steeply from Mystic Pass with the hiker traversing rockslides, avalanche paths, and passing waterfalls.





[28 - Rockslide - click to enlarge]




[29 - Rockslide - click to enlarge]





[30 - Hiking on rockslide - click to enlarge]




[31 - Cairns mark the way on rockslide - click to enlarge]


















[32 - Pheasant - click to enlarge]
The photographer called this bird a pheasant though it looks like a grouse to me. What kind of bird do you think it is?



[33 - Bridge and Johnston Creek - click to enlarge]


At the bottom of the valley after crossing over Johnston Creek is the junction to Larry’s Campground (Jo9) at approximately the 29.3km mark with an elevation of 1680m. Keep right to remain on the Sawback trail.

The opposite direction leads to Johnston Canyon and Moose Meadows should the hiker wish to end the hike here; though next week the Sawback Trail continues on to Lluellen Lake.

The campground is beside Johnston Creek in a forested area, where camp fires are permitted.

At the campground this little visitor is certain to appear.


[34 - Chipmunk - click to enlarge]




Several of the photographs in this hiking trail series are those Mike Warren took. He is an avid outdoorsman and took the time on flickr to provide information on the type of food he takes on his mountain excursions. The following is a list of food ingredients to pack on a spring traverse consisting of 7 nights and 8 days:

7 cups granola+dried fruit+powdered milk
7 caffinated tea bags
7 non-caffinated tea bags
juice crystals
4 boil-in-a-bag dinners
3 potato-flake + cheese + nuts + flavouring dinners
21 oatcakes, 7 cubes of cheddar
2 miso soups, broth powder, corn chowder soup powder
4 mini bars dark chocolate
11 cliff bars
14 fruit bars
3 C trail mix
14 shortbread cookies


[35 - Food for 7 nights and 8 days]


I would add dried figs to this list as they are almost a perfect food and easy to carry.


NOTE: ParksCanada has an important announcement on their website about BEARS on part of the Sawback Trail area here. This hiking series covering the Sawback Trail will pass through to Lake Louise in PRIME GRIZZLY BEAR TERRITORY. Any reader thinking of taking this trail please read this notice. It could save your life.


CONTINUED

Sources:
ParksCanada – Banff
ParksCanada Backcountry Overview
ParksCanada Trail Conditions
ParksCanada Backpacking Equipment Checklist
http://waputik.tripod.com/gdt_sawback.htm
Gem Trek maps for Lake Louise and Skoki
Gem Trek maps for Banff and Mount Assiniboine
HI Hostels Intl Survival Guide
Peakfinder.com

Photo Credits: [14][19][20][23][24][26][27][32]-meganpru CC=nc-flickr, [15][16][21][22][28][29][30][31][33]-Kris Griffon CC=nc-sa-flickr, [17]-withrow CC=nc-flickr, [18] yathin CC=nc-nd-flickr, [25]-Shane Huang CC=nc-sa-flickr, [34] Strange Ones CC=flickr, [35] mikewarren CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Fishing Tuesday

This photo was taken at a lake somewhere between North Bay and Kirkland Lake in northern Ontario. For those who take a week off every year to relax, kick back and drop the line into the water...



Photo Credit: 1BigVillage CC=nc-sa-flickr.