This year I decided to go a bit further and spend 3 nights in the backcountry with Henry.
We tented at Forks and then did day trips from there. Since Graham's knee is still in 'imaging' mode
we invited Scott, Lucy, and Martin to fill his spot and Henry was thrilled to have his friends camping with him.
Forks backcountry site
Full size
We hiked into Forks from the Interlakes trailhead. The challenge of leaving on a Sunday at noon though
is that we had to park way the heck in the back, and almost had to go down to Panorama instead.
Here's a look at the Opal range with Henry having lunch.
Full size
Henry likes to check out maps almost as much as I do.
Full size
Henry with his new backpack, and his 'new to him' hiking boots. I was pleased he had ankle
support on this trip. I think we estimated his pack weight around 15 lbs.
Full size
Henry said 'This is a really nice view of the lake.' I agree.
Full size
A look up to the hanging valley where Aster Lake is.
Full size
Panoramic shot of Upper Kananaskis Lake and Henry having a hiking break.
Full size
The first half of the trail to Forks is a wide bike/hike trail that could easily take a stroller or
a Chariot, but after crossing the Nomad creek, it turns a lot narrower and rootier.
Full size
Sweet bridge crossing the Upper Kananaskis river. Pretty basic construction here using
field-found logs and treated timber.
Full size
A good look at some of the bridge abutments to look at construction options for Bagnall.
Full size
For whatever reason, Henry thinks big piles of scree slopes are fun. He'll have his fill of
those soon as we start doing more scrambling together.
Full size
Pano shot of Henry making his way along the Upper Kananaskis river towards the Forks campground.
Full size
Proof that Henry made it! He was proud of himself for hiking almost 9km with a pack on, which
was a new record for him.
Full size
We brought in the hammock to give Henry something to play with. In this case, we used it to save
Scott a site next to us, since we had booked two sites for three nights.
Full size
Henry was super excited to be able to have a campfire-roasted hot dog on our first night. The
fire ban had only recently been removed, so that was a blessing for us. Henry is with the family
we hung out with that night, Andy, Kirby, Coen, Cooper, and Luna.
Full size
Henry and Coen became quick friends and were excited to throw rocks into the river together,
and just generally pal around the campground. Here's a look up to the Lyautey glacier to the
west of the campground.
Full size
The river level changed dramatically throughout the course of the day, showing the amount of
effect that sunmelt was having on the glacier melt. By later evening, it hit a peak but by
morning it was less than half its volume.
Full size
Henry was pretty jacked to learn how to play Dutch Blitz with Coen. He was even more excited
that he actually blitzed and won a few games.
Full size
Henry and I decided to take a troll up the Lyautey to have a look in this zone. While there
was a trail on Gaia, it was definitely unmaintained as we basically just trail bashed and explored
the creek drainage.
Full size
Looking back along the valley we had traveled up the day before.
Full size
Looking up to a neat waterfall. Just above that waterfall is the Lyautey glacier.
Full size
We got to about here and then turned around as the sides of the creekbed got quite steep and scrambly
and Henry wasn't enjoying dropping rocks all over the place. A neat morning adventure anyway.
Full size
After reading for awhile in the hammock, Henry's friends arrived and he was pretty excited to
play with them and show them around.
Full size
The nominal reason to go up to Three Isle was to try our hand at fishing up here. But really, the
reason was to explore the area. It wound up being a bit too cool for fishing for too long and then
we circumnavigated the lake instead and headed out.
Full size
Henry trying his hand at fishing as Scott sets up his kids with rods and lures.
Full size
Henry continuing to toss hooks into the lake.
Full size
This is a look up to the Northover glacier, part of the Northover Ridge trail that I haven't done yet.
Full size
Panoramic look at the creek from Northover Mountain.
Full size
Highlight from the trip was Henry losing a tooth after chewing on an Oreo cookie.
Full size
Lucy wrote on her leg with a rock and wanted to capture it for posterity.
Full size
Lucy liked this 'fairy creek' with moss.
Full size
The trail going up to Three Isle is quite spectacular as you wind up with big views looking down
into the Upper Kananaskis drainage, but without really being exposed on the way down.
Full size
Back to the waterfall for more playing, and smashing of hands as Henry dropped a rock on his thumb.
Full size
We tried dehydrated brownie bites, but I thought they were pretty terrible and tasted like dog food.
Henry tried to rehydrate them but they basically disintegrated in his cup.
Full size
Neat look at the trail we took down from Three Isle Lake.
Full size
The only rain we got was on the way out. We just got the tent put away and packed up and then
the skies opened up a bit. The kids had good energy and morale regardless and I'd rate the trip
as being excellent weather overall for a mountain trip.
Full size
I was pretty happy to have found a backpack cover for Henry's bag and we used it here.
Full size
Having a break as the boys look up to where Aster Lake is.
Full size
Hiking along Upper Kananaskis Lake with friends.
Full size
Lucy tried to put her dad's backpack on. To her credit, she hoisted it and wandered around a bit
too, but practically, 80L packs aren't made for 13 year old girls.
