Tamarack / Avion

Our annual boys trip, this year down to Waterton for four days (three nights)of perfect weather sandwiched in between rain days. July 31 - Aug 3, 2009.

Day One: This was the big one. Rowe Lake Trailhead (on Akamina Parkway), Lower Rowe Lake, Upper Rowe Lakes, Lineham Ridge 2560m (fourth highest maintained trail in the Rockies) then seemingly endlessly down to Lone Lake. 20.1km, 1490m of gain, 1100m loss.
Little Golden-mantled ground squirrel that wanted a handout at Lower Rowe Lake. Eric kept giving him little pebbles that he would dash off with.

Lower Rowe Lake
Rowe meadows and the approach to Lineham Ridge from the goat track cutting across from Upper Rowe Lake.
Toiling up the trail to Lineham ridge. Lots of flowers set off against the red argilite rock.



Lineham Ridge & Lineham Lakes below as well as view out over Upper and Lower Rowe Lakes and many peaks beyond.
Even where there wasn't the stunning Beargrass there seemed to be flowers everywhere.
Stand of mature Larch on the final pull into Lone Lake.
Artsy shot of Lone Lake. Our campsite for the night.

Day Two: Lone Lake to Twin Lakes
A very short haul over a few minor bumps past Blue Grouse Basin to Twin Lakes. 7.2km, 215m gain, 235m loss.
This was along the way, Blue Grouse Basin.
Lower Twin Lake... our slacking place for the afternoon.
I had a few options for some sidetrips but everyone felt kinda lazy so we hung out by the lake snoozing, reading, & skipping rocks.
Up early the next day for some shoot'n by Lower Twin Lake.



Day Three: Another hot grunt day. Twin Lakes, thru Snowshoe CG, up to Castle River Divide, then up and over Avion Ridge and down to Goat Lake. 14.7km, 700m gain. 645m loss.


Eric and Mike racing to the summit of Avion Ridge. I hung back not wanting to make them look bad ;>) ... but I did win the race as they stopped just short of the highpoint. Technicality but who said life is fair?
Mike on Avion Ridge

Looking down the valley to Goat Lake, our last campsite of the trip.
Cascade below Goat Lake (after dinner shoot'n)

I was going to make a seperate post for just the Beargrass photos. It was a good year for Beargrass and it was stunning. Definitely one of my favorite wildflowers.

Day Four: Goat Lake and out to Red Rock Canyon. 7km, 530m loss.
Morning shot of Goat Lake.
Wandering homeward. They're probably discussing what song is stuck in their respective heads.

Good trip all up. I guess this would be our sixth year of doing this and hope there are a few more in us before life gets in the way (perhaps it never will.)