Alone on The South Boundary Trail. Epic Father - Daughter Remote Jasper Backpacking

120km. No resupply. No other backpackers for almost 8 days. This is Jasper’s extremely remote South Boundary Trail. Amazing! EPIC!! Backcountry Backpacking at its best!!
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(Time stamps below)
00:00 Intro
11:49 Day 2
15:18 Trip planning
26:28 Day 3
39:14 Day 4
53:41Trail planning
55:47 Fording
58:01 Day 5
1:18:02 Day 6
1:34:48 Day 7
1:46:05 Day 8
2:03:01 Day 9
2:16:58 Day 10
2:21:08 Shout out!
2:24:57 Howe’s the hike?
GAIA GPS Tracks: www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/f...

[@essaroumie701]

This Father Daughter team can be crowned the Canadian Rockies greatest ambassadors. Thank you. You are beautiful.

[@HowestheHike]

That's such a wonderful thing to say. Thank you!

[@ricklarry4212]

What an amazing dad, you are sharing this adventure with your daughter. Evelyn showed great poise and strength on what must have been an arduous hike. So glad you were able to complete the circuit with the traversing of the suspension bridge. The rivers were totally amazing. Too bad the summers are so short there but I guess that's what makes the journeys so special.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you so much!

[@wanderingpanda6556]

Omg Parks Canada.....HIRE HER!!! Evelyn is a beast of a hiker; wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if we saw her on Everest and K2 one day. I’m loving your channel, and what a great way to raise your daughters with the utmost respect for the outdoors. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@HowestheHike]

Wow - thank you so much!!!!

[@DustinGould]

in about 2005 i was working with a guy who would have been dirt bike riding in the 80s and was telling me about following a trail from cardinal river road following a creek and going to a really old hunting cabin that was covered in antlers and then the trail ending with a suspension bridge into jasper park ----- ive been looking for this bridge ever since then ---- probably about 2010 we found trail to a fire burned area on a ridge above the river ---- very much like when you first spotted the bridge ---- but we never saw the bridge nor any trail down to the river area, I had given up on this bridge actually existing haha ------ awesome video and keep on exploring the great outdoors :)

[@HowestheHike]

What a great story - thanks for sharing!

[@backpackboat1]

Finally got around to watching this one, great video, I really appreciate the detail, thanks!! Looking forward to the North Boundary!

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks. It's up too!

[@DanSmith-sq9qp]

Great video. Inspiring

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks so much!

[@brandog8247]

Looks like an amazing hike. Really enjoyed watching this one! Keep up the good work.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks so much!

[@kelseyfriesen]

Heading out there this summer. Thanks for a great video!

[@HowestheHike]

Hope you enjoy it - we sure did. Total isolation for 8 days although I suspect this year will be busier on the trails.

[@heathershine5674]

What an awesome vid!!!!!! Just subscribed and thank you

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you! Might be my favourite hike ever.

[@JenniferLupine]

Evelyn you are a champion backpacker! Great job!! Gorgeous views- wonderful trip :)

[@HowestheHike]

She is a fantastic buddy on the trail!

[@dianebrodson4588]

Best video on camping ever. It took me two days of walking on a treadmill - 3 miles a day for this old lady. Spectacular views. So wonderful to watch a day so proud of his amazing, tough, adventurous daughter. I will look for more of your hikes.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you SO much :)

[@gregleigland9414]

Great video! Thanks for sharing this and your other adventures with us. I'm still catching up on your remaining videos and look forward to more.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Greg! So glad you like them!

[@ellenderee350]

Great video, loved it.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you Ellen!

[@andreamather8218]

Im just in awe of your relationship with your daughters. What amazing memories you are creating!

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you! It has been a big part of our lives at this point with some amazing stories and memories.

[@debbiebryce7750]

Loved the video! Brought back so many great memories. I hiked the full SBT in 1982 from Nigel Creek to Medicine Lake! Amazing to so many things that I remembered and how much has changed with all of the burns and wash outs. We may try a 40th anniversary of "the Heart of the SBT" if our 67 year old legs will let us. I really like how positive you are and how steady your camera hand is. Some of the guys that post hiking vids make me motion sick the way they swing their cameras around. Oh, you've got one tough kid there. Keep up the good work.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Dale, those are very kind things to say. And I’m very jealous of you. You actually get to hike the entire trail and I never will! I plan to hike well into my late 60s and early 70s so I would hope you will do the reunion hike. As you know the south boundary is not an extremely arduous hike in elevation change , just in length of trail. You can definitely do it. Yes Evelyn is a trooper and this was one of the greatest 10 days of my life with her. I hope to see your video soon!

[@Lerockramblerbirder]

Wow!awesome!!Always had this one in mind, was 170kms with old start , didn't know its not possible from there? Very glad to see on the video When you found the Southesk bridge, no crossing that river!

[@HowestheHike]

The Jacques Lake to Grizzly section is decommissioned and from what I've heard likely "gone"worse than other sections we hiked. Fire, slides etc... You can still access Jacques lake from Medicine Lake I think - which is why I kept referencing ML in the video as the old northern "start". (Because to get to Jacques Lake - did you not have to hike in from ML?) Some experienced folks might want to try to do it if the park would allow a permit. As you know, you really can get anywhere if you have time and experience!

[@brandog8247]

Finished this trail on Friday. Thank you for the information, it helped a lot!

[@HowestheHike]

Glad it helped! Were you able to get across at Brazeau with the bridge out?

[@brandog8247]

@@HowestheHike Yes, the bridge was there when we crossed. We had heard there was a bridge out and weren't sure which bridge it was.

[@HowestheHike]

Good for you. I worry about others though. Can be tough crossing.

[@Martyupnorth]

Great job. Cheers.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Marty!

[@kulladventures]

Well done!

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you!

[@signeyfehr6614]

Great video! We did Jacques lake the other night, had no idea it connected to the South Boundary! I guess the second campground after Jacques would be grizzly, but apparently the bridge is out after. Wish they would come in and fix it, because that would be a epic 13 day trip!

[@HowestheHike]

I agree it sure would be! Unfortunately it’s because of a fire and slides that resulted after the fire they have closed that section of trail permanently. Grizzly is no longer reservable, although the campsite would most certainly still be there. That said, the cardinal/rocky pass entry to the SBT at Medicine Tent campsite is spectacular on its own. The SBT is one of my favorite trails of all time. Just spectacular!

[@Martyupnorth]

The first time I did this trail was in 1995. I did it a second time in 2000. I only documented with pictures both times. I've been to Medicine Tent and Brazeau several times in the last few years In 2018 I helped a fan from Hong Kong complete the same trip you just did. He had similar issues trying to find the trail where it had been washed out. My family is from Edson, and we ATV to the area just outside the park all the time. This summer I'm finally going to Southesk Lake. I'm looping it clockwise. I'll start at the Cardinal Divide (AKA Rocky Pass), and head south past Medicine Tent and La Grace before heading to the Lake. I'm going past the lake, over Southesk pass, and back to Rocky Forks. I'm sure the trout will be biting. Nice video.

[@HowestheHike]

Sounds like we may be doing the same trip...! :)

[@esmeadows]

@@HowestheHike This would be a great adventure, but a clockwise path puts the most uncertain and likely most difficult trail at the end. It would be a long hike out if it were necessary to turn back. Maybe better to go counter-clockwise and get the worst trail out of the way early?

[@HowestheHike]

That is true. No question. Will consider for sure. I did get an EXCELLENT KML file from a wonderful person who had oodles of info, so that should help us out. Either way - I can't wait for us all to get out there!

[@TheBackcountryGuys]

@@HowestheHike how would one get there hands on that klm file? Great video.

[@HowestheHike]

@@TheBackcountryGuys Link is in the description of the video. Just use the "data" button on the website to download. Enjoy!

[@erickreutzfeld6632]

Perhaps the one of the reasons for all of the mosquitoes on day seven was due to the proximity to the sulfur in the water you were near. Love all of your videos. I watch them quite often. Thank you for sharing them with us!

[@HowestheHike]

Good point! And thanks so much for your kind words. This is my happy place and I can't wait to return each summer! Please keep in touch! :)

[@kurdtus]

Best hiking video on KZbin...

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks! GREAT trail!

[@anthonywoods2441]

About to hike this trail with a group of 4 planning on doing it in 5 days but ready for 6, wish us luck👍

[@HowestheHike]

Good luck1. That's an ambitious schedule!

[@HM-gk3rq]

I like the idea of relaxing days and not having to rush the hike but you need to carry a lot of food for that length of trip!

[@HowestheHike]

Yes you do! But it is a hard trail to extend your days (and double up some days) due to the trail conditions. We opted to take our time and see this amazing trail.

[@randyhermann1]

Excellent! I’ve been eyeing this trail for a bit. Now I have to do it! Looks like logistics for trailhead and finish are a bit goofy. Two more trails you should put on your list: Rockwall and Berg Lake. Busy trails, especially Berg Lake, but absolutely beautiful!

[@HowestheHike]

randyhermann1 Thanks! Yeah, dropping cars was a pain but worth it. Rockwall is on my list for sure. I JUST walked down the Berg Lake Trail while finishing the North Boundary Trail. Spectacular- but I can’t imagine walking up it . Yikes. Working on that video right now!

[@randyhermann1]

Yeah, it was a bit of a brutal climb but worth it. Looking forward to the video!

[@HM-gk3rq]

Howe's the Hike Rockwall is in our list too... but I think it’s supposed to be more challenging than Berg Lake. Lots of elevation gain. Berg lake seems much busier than the trails you usually do or you are good at cutting out the people. So great tho. Especially snowbird pass. You could helicopter up if you really didn’t want to hike up 🤣... but pretty sure you guys could handle it since we did.

[@kcwins84]

Wait....do I recognize that ursack lol? Edit: Yup, I do and glad it helped! Great video too. Well done. Chuck the Mauler

[@HowestheHike]

Haha! Evelyn and I still chat about how kind it was of you. Really awesome!

[@HM-gk3rq]

“Haven’t seen a building in 10 days...” what about all the Wardens’ cabins in those amazing locations??? 🤣 finally finished the video. Another great one.

[@HowestheHike]

Haha - no kidding! Would have loved to seen inside a few of those for sure. One of my all time favourite hikes. Thanks for watching!

[@rachelgrogan2477]

"Say goodbye to your false sense of security" I feel this 😂😂😂 no open air tenting for me 😂

[@HowestheHike]

Haha! Yes indeed. That actually was the perfect night for it - and we never really had another chance!

[@wanderingaloudwithmark3057]

yeah never considered my pack shifting. Being directionally challenged myself. That route finding would concern me. You did a great job of navigation. Your daughter is a real trooper, good on her.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Mark! And yes, she's a tough one!

[@lovemountains5517]

Howe's the Hike miss her twin, they’re great together too. i always enjoy watching your video. i get to see places that i can never be there.

[@HowestheHike]

Yeah - we missed her too. She would have loved it. But she has developed some issues at altitude, so she is going to wait a bit to see if she outgrows it. Was nice for Eve and I to hike alone a bit - I had her all to myself. Always great chats while walking!

[@lovemountains5517]

Howe's the Hike how many liters is Evelyn’s backpack?

[@HowestheHike]

@@lovemountains5517 It is a Deuter 70+10 pack. (so 80 total!) The girls both find these better for women than the Osprey packs they tried before!!

[@dennisschwartzentruber3204]

Sweet !

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks!

[@philbys1]

Did the trail in late June early July 1977. Medicine tent Was the way in back then.

[@HowestheHike]

I’m super jealous about that. An entire section of trail that I will never get to see because of the fire and the mudslides. And a real shame not to see the historic grizzly cabin before it was burned down. I get a bit melancholy thinking about what I’ve missed out there that I could’ve seen, so I’m very happy to hear from you and I would love to see some pictures if you have any at some point.

[@eriktalvila641]

How about letting Evelyn say something without cutting her off? Notwithstanding, a great video. Some of these should be submitted to the Banff Mountain Film Festival or the Vancouver Mountain Film Festival.

[@HowestheHike]

That's a very fair comment Erik! I remember this realization myself a couple of times when I edited the raw footage and I was like thinking to myself, gosh Stu that's not good! She's very intelligent and articulate. I've learned now with others that I backpack with, to let them finish a thought before I jump in. No media school for me, so I'm learning on the go! And I certainly do appreciate your other comments. These are beautiful places that I would love to expose more people to! Thanks again for the comment, hope to have you around here for a while :-)

[@jjinthemountains369]

Stu, this is just an absolute classic hiking video. Great stuff. And Evelyn, she is one tough co-pilot (or should I say pilot?).

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you JJ! I really appreciate that! And yes, she's a trooper!!

[@bobward7703]

My fried Paul and I hiked the South Boundary Trail in late August '82. This video brings back fantastic memories. Gorgeous scenery. Rugged, remote terrain. I think it was a little over 105 miles in '82. What about bears and bear spray? I did not see any bear spray in your video. While we never encountered a grizzly on our hike there was fresh sign everywhere in late August. Bears were feasting on berries. We only saw the warden and one other hiker on the 10 day hike. Remember the Warden's cabin journal that you wondered about? There should be an August 1982 entry in that journal about the warden sharing his dessert one evening with 2 hikers camped nearby. Warden had his girlfriend visiting. He was having fun. I wonder if the journal mentions his girlfriend visiting? He said his work would start in the Fall keeping hunters from encroaching on the Park. The other hiker's goal was to stay on South Boundary Trail, for 30 days. He was solo. He had cached some food. When we shared a campsite with him one evening he was greatly relieved to have human company. We stayed up very late that night talking around the campfire and enjoying his cowboy coffe. This video is inspiring me to go back and do this hike again while I am still able.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks so much for sharing this Dob - I loved the story very much! Such vivid memories. Yes, we both had bear spray holsters attached to our hip belts. LOTS of signs, but no sightings. The wolf sighting was amazing though. After doing the North Boundary a month or so later - I find myself wanting to do the South Boundary again. It truly is beautiful. I hope you do get back out there!!

[@ChrisfromFL]

I'd have to agree this was rather scenic, especially compared to your hike in Francis Marion.

[@HowestheHike]

Haha. It sure was!

[@xenochromocript]

Wow great video, thanks for sharing! Would you mind sharing your track or setting it to public on Gaia? Thanks!

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks. I've just set it to Public on GAIA and posted the link in the notes of the video. First time I've done this, so hope it works!

[@xenochromocript]

@@HowestheHike it worked! Thanks for sharing.

[@broadoak2006]

Loved the video, Massive respect!!!! what camera and editing software did you use? Best regards Martin from England

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks so much for your kind words. Are used both GoPro hero seven and my iPhone for video. Most everything is done using imovie but sometimes final cut pro.

[@rocksnowandwater]

Really liking all your videos. Not much for NBT and SBT on youtube. Truly appreciate the content. With all the fording you are doing aren't your boot constantly soaked? What kind of boots/shoes are the two of you wearing?

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks John! We were wearing Saloman GTX Ultra's. In the heat and low humidity they dry very quickly vs an older leather boot style. We also wear socks that dry quickly. I used to take boots off and put on some shoes, but have come to think your boots are best for more challenging fords. And, sometimes on trails I know will be very wet, I will wear some waterproof socks. Hope this helps!

[@catherinej7347]

What rain pants do you recommend for going over all those rivers?? Great job!! What was your rain/bug gear?

[@HowestheHike]

Hi Catherine. We didn't wear rain pants for river crossings, only when it was raining or the willows were wet. We use a rain "kilt" (or skirt) for this. Better airflow and super lightweight. Hope this helps!

[@catherinej7347]

@@HowestheHike Oh thank you for the tip!! Ill have to try to find that ! :)

[@mike20220]

On the map, I see Rocky Forks Campsite but cant find any information. Did you see or read about this? Would love some info, great vid

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Michael! The horse camp there is much nicer than the hike or camp so I would suggest it. I won't actually see that campsite until we do the Southesk Lake Loop later this summer. I'm not sure when you were going but as I write this message the water levels in Jasper are far above flood stage and very very dangerous. I would not be out there at this point in time.

[@mike20220]

Howe's the Hike thanks for the information (and speedy reply) a group of us hiked from the Cardinal Divide to medicine tent overnight this past weekend. I agree the water levels were high but the 3 crossings were manageable. Probably not recommended for smaller children though. Lots of mud through the initial meadow, wow! Hope you enjoy the hike later this summer - cheers

[@HowestheHike]

Good to hear. I would expect the Cardinal to be high, but I bet Medicine Tent and Cairn rivers are even worse at the moment. Gorgeous area though isn't it?!

[@mike20220]

Howe's the Hike Medicine tent was very high now that you mention. It’s a special place back there ; remote trailhead to stray away the crowds, little elevation gain for quite the payoff, and very little in tree line. We were surprised to see how little attention the hike receives for how much we enjoyed the amount meadow sections.

[@kurdtus]

How do you organize transportation with a hike like this... Starting at rocky and ending near Columbia is a huge distance

[@HowestheHike]

This requires two cars. We dropped one at one end and drove to the other. Once we are finished we drove back to the trail head and picked up the other car. You can sometimes organize transportation but it’s rather unreliable and this is a much more reliable way

[@julianisface]

Or hitchhike :)

[@HowestheHike]

That’s really not possible. The trail head for Cardinal Pass is basically on a dead-end road due to a bridge washout. In the road near the trail head is pretty terrible. You might be able to hire a driver but nobody will be going past there anyway from a hitchhiking perspective

[@stephenbouchard8075]

Hey Stu - do you have the Gaia track for this hike you wouldn’t mind sharing

[@HowestheHike]

Hey Stephen! If you check the description of the video there should be a link there to my tracks. If something is broken, please let me know ha ha! Some of the route finally we had to do in a couple of sections may not be necessary anymore. Just something to keep in mind. When I was out in 2019 hiking to Cairn pass again, I had noticed a lot of Karen's on the left side of the river which helped me avoid two or three fords. Things like that. Enjoy the trail, it's one of my absolute favourites!!

[@stephenbouchard8075]

@@HowestheHike definitely going to do it next year. Did you pay a shuttle up to the trail head

[@HowestheHike]

No - we had 2 vehicles thank goodness!

[@andrewduncan7643]

Nice stuff. Been mulling this one over for almost 10 years probably due to a lack of information but after seeing this I just elevated it to the go list. Looks amazing. For some reason I as thinking it was a all treed route more or less besides Brazeau of course. Wondering how long it took to setup the shuttle and are permits required? On Parks Canada looks like only Adolphus needs a permit but not sure about the rest there. Oh and I have to ask which you preferred the NBT or the SBT? The wardens sure know how to pick cabin sites I have to say. (;

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks! I actually found the South Boundary incredibly rewarding visually. FAR more than the North Boundary. (which is beautiful in a different way) Permits are easy - and can all be done online. (Adolphus is North Boundary - not South). We had 2 cars and dropped one at Nigel trailhead. then drove to Hinton, overnighted, and then off to Rocky/Cardinal Pass trailhead the next AM. I Love this trail - hope you get to do it!

[@andrewduncan7643]

@@HowestheHike Boy that's quite the shuttle you did. Guess there's no choice in the matter. Got a do what you got a do. Thinking perhaps later in August to avoid the mozzies. Looking forward to your next video on your summer trip planning with the girls in the Rockies. Take care.

[@HowestheHike]

Yes - it's a big shuttle but WELL worth it!! Thanks Andrew!

[@andrewduncan7643]

@@HowestheHike Didn't get the South Boundary but rather the Brazeau Loop for this coming August 1st. Couldn't get Boulder or Four Points on the last day out so from Jonas Cutoff out will be a verrry long day. However, will be trying to add one night if one or the other becomes available between now and then fingers crossed. Heard the bridge at Brazeau Lake was out last summer so that could prove interesting if it still is this summer. Asked parks about that a couple days ago but haven't heard back. Grrrr. Anyhow looking forward to seeing your next Rocky Mountain adventure. Cheers.

[@HowestheHike]

Keep an eye on PC reservations. I just booked and completed Skyline having booked it TWEO DAYS prior. As long as folks are kind by cancelling, I would bet you could score one of those two for you last night. Jonas Cutoff to the car is a BEAST. Good luck!

[@garymiddleton607]

Awesome recipe for raising good kids! Get out there and do positive lifestyle activities with them, as opposed to a trip to the mall, or Disneyland every 5-10 years. IMHO of course.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you Gary - I agree!! The other upside is the amazing memories we have and how the girls have had to really push through sometimes. I think that some adversity builds character.

[@wanderingaloudwithmark3057]

Just a tip, when crossing a fast flowing creek. Unclip your waist belt. Great video, thanks.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks for watching! Regarding the old "unclip to cross" rule of thumb, I don't do that anymore. We stay clipped tight. The last thing you need is for your backpack to be shifting on your back and throwing off your balance. We also leave our boots on now. I address this in the video actually too as I expected some folks to catch it like you did :)

[@whynotadventures5314]

If I were going to go to school I would go to UNB or if its the woods she wants to work in I would Say Maritime College of Forestry Tech. I my self like MCFT.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks!

[@xoxXCutiepieXxox]

1:25? WAT IS THAT ? Big foot baby barf? Lol

[@HowestheHike]

If only we knew...

[@xoxXCutiepieXxox]

Ok i found out about the POOP! LOL Xerophyllum tenax known as bear grass ..... The plant provides food, habitat, and raw material for an array of wildlife species-from bees and flies, to rodents, bears, deer, and elk.!!! It makes bear poop white lol! 💩💩💩💩⛰⛰⛰⛰🌎🇨🇦