Banff Backpacking: Thrilling 6-Day Expedition

[@rhondawilliamson72]

I hope your both safe and sound. Devastating news about Jasper tonight such a beautiful park

[@HowestheHike]

Safe and sound. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am of course devastated with what has happened to one of my favourite places in the world. Heartbreaking.

[@waputik57]

I always return from Clearwater Pass by hiking up to the bench on the west side of Siffleur Valley, with its lakes and tarns, and instead of crossing Pipestone Pass as you did, heading over to the Pipestone Summit trail. Excellent walking on fine shale, some unique rock formations, and a route by the tarn that's visible from the Siffleur trail. The bump between the Pipestone Pass and Summit is an easy scramble and gives great views in all directions.

[@HowestheHike]

I love this idea! Next time I'm in that vicinity I might actually try to plan something where I could do that. Sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing!

[@ricklarry4212]

Another great hike, regardless of whether you got to cross the river or not. I'm not a big fan of SIRI but Scott's use of it to take pictures was good usage of it. You need a 'rock cam' now. Jimmy Buffet is turning in his grave. LOL. 👍

[@HowestheHike]

Hey thanks! Yeah it was a great trip. You have to make the best of things out there because you never know what's going to happen. Don't even get me started on Siri :-) I have my own struggles with her. I hope Jimmy approves!!

[@kaeleigh3930]

Bet you that's the same sow we met with cubs in that meadow last spring!

[@HowestheHike]

That's probably a fair bet. They do tend to be territorial

[@dontbeadrone]

I hope you are currently safe and far from the Jasper wildfires. My heart breaks at the video footage of the fires that I am seeing.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you so much for thinking of me, how very kind! It IS absolutely heartbreaking. That's the perfect word. I received a Garmin message while in remote Banff front ranges sharing the news. I was sick to my stomach. Still thinking of all the great people of Jasper and hoping for a swift recovery!

[@ChrisTheBackpacker]

Fantastic video! Glad you guys didn’t run into the Sow and Cubs! Once again, it was fantastic meeting you on trail!

[@HowestheHike]

Great to meet you too! She was long gone by the time we went through I guess. Too bad, would've made great video ha ha ha! Stay safe and hope to see you out there again soon :-)

[@tylernblaney]

Ahh dude, you make me smile.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Tyler! Hope all is well with you :-)

[@robertodenthal3504]

Nice Video. did the full loop in 1988. Beautiful country. Thanks for posting.

[@HowestheHike]

It would be interesting to know if anything changed!? But I agree, it is gorgeous country! Very very lucky to be able to see it.

[@billbagshaw8209]

I hope you weren’t in Jasper last week and had to get rescued. So sad what’s happening there. Hope you are safe.

[@HowestheHike]

Hi Bill, thanks so much for the thoughts! No, I was not. I was in the backcountry of Banff when this happened. It is so tragic and sad. I had planned to be there for the next three weeks but will certainly get there as soon as they reopen to help support some of those local businesses and people who are obviously struggling. It's a strong community and I know they will recover quickly. Hope you are well, as well!

[@elizabethcochran8627]

Do the Bob in September when rivers are lowest. Big river crossings preclude going earlier.

[@HowestheHike]

Always good advice. I was down there in July however last year and water levels were pretty low. That said, they were low everywhere here in the Banff and Jasper areas as well. Hope to be heading down that way in a few weeks!

[@johnversluys]

Too bad you didn't make it all the way. We still enjoyed all the beautiful scenery.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks John! Yes it was disappointing and there was a moment there where I thought I might attempt it, but it was only for a split brief second. I knew that there was no way. We still had an amazing time and saw some incredible stuff!

[@marcofthetrail]

Hey Stu. Just checking this out. I had trips all planned out for JNP but now I'm coming up with stuff! The crossing you turned back at? That was the one right at the park boundary? I'm honestly pretty interested in that very nice camp site that was there.

[@HowestheHike]

Hey Marc! I was supposed to be in Jasper for three weeks as well. I have met lots of people on the trail in Banff and K country who also were supposed to be there... Dolomite Curcuit would be a great hike for you! Dolomite Creek was in flood when we were there simply because the extreme heat was melting the glaciers at a high rate. I know others who have crossed without issues so I think it's just a matter of timing. Would suggest you keep an eye on the Pipestone water levels at Alberta River basins as sort of a guide.

[@IsraelonFoot]

I hope you are out of harm’s way, as I’m following the Jasper fires in the news.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you so much for reaching out and thinking of me! I am currently in the Banff safe and sound. I wish I could say the same for so many friends and acquaintances in the Jasper area. So so sad.

[@kcwins84]

Thanks for another great video, Stew. I have plans to be in Jasper in 2 weeks but am super worried about the fire/evac situation there right now. Do you have any last minute suggestions for an alternative route? One of my concerns would be last minute permit issue. 4 or 5 nights.

[@lauraeriksson6616]

one of the hikes on my bucket list is grasslands national park backcountry. It's got a darker night sky than Jasper and is rarely smoky. The desert/semi-arid desert is just phenomenally beautiful (as a person who also loves the mountains).

[@HowestheHike]

We are all kind of in the same boat at this point. I had planned to be there for three weeks. The Banff area is still in great shape at the moment as I write this. As is Waterton and Kanaskis. At the present moment, although it changes hourly, there is very very little smoke in the Banff and Canmore areas.

[@kcwins84]

@@HowestheHike we were able to grab a permit for the Molar Pass loop. Not ideal dates, but it’ll do. Let’s chat before we arrive this Saturday.

[@HowestheHike]

Absolutely!

[@ervinslens]

Lovely filming and editing my friend! This was gorgeous!

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you very much!

[@rockyroad5787]

great hike video, thanks for sharing.

[@HowestheHike]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Antonio.V.G]

Is this hike on Alltrails?

[@HowestheHike]

I don't know honestly. I don't use all trails.

[@hermaneickholt2402]

Yes it is on Alltrails, hope to do this in 2 weeks time...Hopefully the water levels will have come done a bit..

[@HowestheHike]

Water is coming down. Not much snow left to melt. Just watch out for the glacier melt on the hot days

[@Antonio.V.G]

@@hermaneickholt2402 what is the name of the hike on Alltrails? Thank you.

[@hermaneickholt2402]

@@HowestheHike Finished the loop from Mosquito Creek TH to Helen Lake TH last week and the water crossing at the Dolomite Creek was a breeze. Relatively low water level and nearly clear. Thanks for posting the video.

[@annerichardson4170]

Fabulous! Love lemonade.

[@HowestheHike]

Not too much sugar though!

[@barryparris91]

a A long one... Good!

[@HowestheHike]

No kidding! Oh my goodness what a crazy start to the season with all the stops and starts. Finally out there for a long one. Much more to come starting this week.