Jasper National Park's Greatest Secret. Snake Indian Falls On The North Boundary Trail.

Join and support the channel:
Patreon Memberships: www.patreon.com/howesthehike
Buy gear and support the channel:
REI (USA)
alnk.to/58q3C1l
MEC (Canada)
alnk.to/btnkVxS
Sponsorships and other services: howesthehike.ca
Thanks to an invite from Anne and Jim, I finally see this remote section of The North Boundary trail from Celestine Lake Horseshoe including Snake Indian Falls.
Having previously entered from the now traditional start in the Rock Lake area, I missed this area during my North Boundary Trail backcountry backpacking thru-hike in 2019!
00:00 Intro
12:19 Day Two
16:30 Snake Indian Falls
29:14 Jim shares family history of the Warden Service in Jasper National Park
39:33 Day Three
52:39 Day Four
1:02:19 Day Five
1:05:00 Devona Lookout
1:11:40 Howe's The Hike?

[@jjinthemountains369]

Thanks for posting yet another great hiking video, Stuart. Gawd, I wish one could hike the NBT in its entirety. Four of us were booked in to do just that, 9 days out there, from the Celestine Lake road to the Berg Lake trailhead, in early September 2021, until, well, ya know. Our first two nights would have been at Shalebanks and Horseshoe Meadows so at least it's good to see what they're like for campsites. Maybe some day ... *sigh* ... so much history out there, it would be good to experience it.

[@HowestheHike]

Hey JJ! You will get there. As soon as the BC parks gets the trail, finished on their end, we just have to wait for Jasper and Twin Tree. That bridge has been designated as super important since 2010 when the park cut the backcountry funding drastically. If they do not replace that bridge, I'm not sure what the other options are to hike the trail as it exists. There are ways to get around, but they're not on the northbound trail proper. And I hear you about the history. Every time I'm out there in this particular park in these particular areas, I think about the glory days of backpacking. I think about Brian and Bart out there, pushing a wheel with bridges everywhere and maintenance. They were very lucky to experience Jasper, NP in particular, at the height of it backpacking existence. Let's keep pressure on these parks to at least give us bridges over the chokepoints. Nobody needs a log over every stream, just the stuff that is supremely dangerous.

[@stancook3694]

I another hike this trail in 1997 and 1998 and loved it. I’m 82 now it brings me memories. Thank you very much.

[@HowestheHike]

I wonder how much it's changed since then? I do love this trail very much and I'm very happy now that I've no walked the whole thing. Hopefully when they do a little more maintenance I will try it again perhaps. Glad it brought back some memories and I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@samsch6]

That was awesome hearing about Jim's grandfather! Thank you and thank him for sharing that. Anytime I can hear about the old wardens and their stories makes my heart so happy. ❤

[@HowestheHike]

I felt privileged that he would share that on video with everybody! Such an amazing part of history and his grandfather was very well known out here, kind of legendary :-) such amazing history! So lucky to be able to walk the same trails!!

[@annerichardson4170]

Jim is humbled by everyone’s kind words about his grandfather. He feels a closeness to him especially as we hike the trails grandpa travelled as a warden and chief. And we enjoy looking at his home movies for inspiration for our next backpacking destination in Jasper. Thank you all.

[@leannalovesmountains4949]

Great video Stuart! Your giddyness was contagious, you had me smiling. What a lovely couple Jim and Anne are. Loved hearing about the history of the trail and Jim's grandfather being part of it. Can't wait for the next video!

[@HowestheHike]

Wow thank you so much :). I just love the history of this park and the warden service and so to have friends like Anne and Jim share it with me is just perma-smile all day long!!

[@garyheinzelman6784]

This video brought back so many memories….hiked the NBT in 74 and 75, both times starting from Celestine Lake. The camp area at the lake had a large 3 sided open cook shelter and that could be the concrete pad you saw. I fished the lake hard but only ever caught one nice Rainbow that was a nice dinner the night before starting the NBT in 74. I was one of those hikers that camped at the top of Snake Indian Falls….talk about feeling the rumble. Didn’t have that much deadfall that I recall and first day out was the old fire road that from your video appears to be getting grown over. Horseshoe Meadows looked familiar but had a lot of undergrowth growing….I remember it as much more open and pine needle forest floor. I think it was here on approach that I saw a pack of wolves coming down the edge of a slide area…..highlight of the hike. Love your videos and enjoy the descriptions of it all. Looking forward to more.

[@HowestheHike]

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for sharing all of this! I REALLY appreciate it. What a different trail you would have seen back then hiking during the glory days of backpacking in Jasper National Park in my opinion. When I hike to the complete trail a few years ago it was certainly possible but not maintained. I often wish I had been born a little earlier so I could've experienced some of these amazing places out here when they were a little more accessible. Thanks again for sharing all of this, awesome!

[@ricklarry4212]

Awesome footage of Snake Indian Falls, Stu. As well as having some great trail companions, Anne and Jim, I enjoyed their take on the history of the park. Quite the bushwhack here, so many fallen trees. I guess you never know what the trail conditions are till you get out there. You had some wonderful campsites though. Thanks for sharing.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you so much! It's a stunning place and even horseshoe camp is gorgeous I prefer it much more than Willow Creek. Thanks to a Anna Jim for discovering it on the trip previously. That whole section of the park was decimated by the June snow storm. Trees already had leaves on them and all of the dead for we saw well, 99% of it anyway, was new. I had planned to be hiking with those folks out to southesk lake starting this week but there's no way with all the deadfall. We know how bad it is thanks to recent reports so we are heading to Banff front ranges instead. A real shame because Jasper does not take care of the section of the park very well historically due to management priorities. Given they are going to burn southesk Trail this year to help some sort of pine tree come back, we may lose access to this gorgeous place for many many years.

[@markusvogelsanger6011]

Hi Stuart, good video as always! I really loved meeting you, Anne and Jim, I wish we could repeat it sometime. Your deadfall was bad but mine was way worse (I'm not proud about it, just so you know). And hey, nice chapters!

[@HowestheHike]

It was wonderful meeting you as well and spending some time chatting! Glad you made it home safely to the family and without injuring yourself over the epic deadfall you encountered. The good news is that I am seeing reports online of parks horseback crews out clearing lots of areas including McLarens pass and little heaven as recently as last week. (As I type this) we might just have to plan something so you can get that one complete in a year or two!

[@markusvogelsanger6011]

@@HowestheHike Absolutely! That's really good news!

[@HowestheHike]

It is - but LOTS more for them to do...

[@jasperplace]

Going to hike this trail this summer!

[@HowestheHike]

Enjoy it - it's awesome!!!

[@Indeewoods]

Great video. Would love to see that old video that his grandfather took. I heard you used to be able to drive right to Celestine lake and camp but then there was a washed out section or something near the lake and also the bridge going in needed repairs. No idea if that’s true or not. Then the was the natives that massacred another tribe and one of the women got away and lived back in that area for 2 years before someone friendly found her. And then wasn’t that movie with Marilyn Monroe filmed right there as well? The park really needs to look after that area,clear the trails and keep the history alive. We mountain biked it one time from Rock Lake to the parking lot near the bridge and it took us 12 hrs and we were pretty tired after. Parts of the trail were hard to ride the horse ruts were so deep and even back then I remember saying how the park needs to maintain that trail. I guess they have other priorities catering to all the people that only want to go 100 feet off the pavement.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks so much! Yes, the videos are quite something to watch. Hours of enjoyment and HISTORY. I have suggested to them both that they share these with the public somehow on their own KZbin channel, but of course they will have to consult their family before being able to do so. If they do publish, I will make sure to make note of it here. I'm not sure about the attack you reference but I do remember hearing of Marilyn Monroe in the area - yes. And yes, you were able to drive right to the lake in your car!! Fading history abounds.... The Park really does need to keep that history alive. I won't comment much more here but there is lots going on behind the scenes to convince management that backcountry use and access is incredibly important - and not just upgrading a front country campsite so people can plug their RVs in all night. Unfortunately, it's a 20-1 ratio between front country and backcountry users and if you're a manager with a budget, it's difficult not to look at the numbers. That said, it's a National Park, not a fortune 500 company and priorities must be looked at in a different light because of that.

[@billbagshaw8209]

Matt and I did Brazeau loop with Anne and Jim. Great people!

[@HowestheHike]

Wow what a coincidence! Yes they are fantastic people and wonderful to spend time with on the trail.

[@annerichardson4170]

Hello! We remember you guys! We have great memories of our brazeau hike and looking for the John John (pobotkan) shelter. Nice to hear from you and maybe we’ll bump into you again on the trails.

[@saschamuller7560]

Hello Stuart, well i have done North Boundary trail twice. First 1993 an second time 1997. I remebered that there was an open shelter at Celestine Lake but in your video i can't see no shelter. Was it not there? Anyway, love your videos and of course the Candian Rockies. At this year in August i will return with my son for hiking, may be we meet us. Best requards from Germany, Sascha

[@HowestheHike]

Congratulations! That was before the giant cuts in 2010 that basically took all the maintenance away. The golden age! Good for you. The shelter is gone. I believe we saw the old cement pad if it's the same one I'm thinking of. That particular campsite is in horrible disrepair right now. Lots of dead trees every year due to the beetle infestation at the parkinitially decided not to manage. Let nature take its course sort of thing. Unfortunately it's created a lot of dead trees and fire hazards and falling hazards! And my goodness you're coming back in August! I will be in the vicinity as well, but wonder what it is you're going to be be hiking? What's your plan?

[@saschamuller7560]

@@HowestheHike Hello again, at first thanks for your nice answer. As i saw your videos from north boundary i wondered " why is the trail in such bad condition? " but now you give me the answer. Are this new rules in national park, or are people no longer interesseted in hiking for such " long " trails? It would be very interessting for me because i want to try a second time the south boundary trail. A friend and i started the trail in july 95 but wie must returned after three days, because my friend got horrible pain at his feets, may be the wrong boots, who knows?! He died in 2010 , but know its time for me bring it to the end, for both of us. This year my son and i want to do only day hikes and some one night stands for example Glacier Lake, to Kinney Lake, may be to Whitehorn if its reopened.... My son is 22 and he never done overnight hiking with a large heavy backpack. Its his first time in Canada and i want to take it easy ;) We are starting Glacier trail at 8.8.24 and will be at Mount Robson at 12.8.24. For both of them we have a reservation. It should be enough bevor it gets boring an sorry for my bad english. Hope we see us one time, best reguards Sascha

[@HowestheHike]

Your English is great! I'm sorry to hear about your friend. And yes, footwear and a good sock system is super important., People are VERY interested in the long trails. My top three videos this winter (trip planning time) were North and South Boundary Trails in Jasper and Clearwater Red Deer Circuit in Banff. I was shocked. People want the longer trips for the solitude and to get away from the busier trails that are always sold out early. Glacier and Kinney are excellent hikes! I will be in Willmore when you are here I think, but if that changes, I'll let you know. Always nice to meet fellow travellers :)

[@saschamuller7560]

@@HowestheHike Hello Stuart, Willmore Wilderness Area....nice. I think completely lonely, pure adventure ;) I am looking forward to your report an Videos. Hope we will see us. Take care. Best reguards , Sascha :)

[@HowestheHike]

Enjoy!

[@xnilesx1]

2:22 wood lilly 24:50 gt horned owl 49:22 hare bell Castilleja bistort 1:06:13 dusky grouse 1:07:54 common loon

[@HowestheHike]

I keep getting an education. Thank you!

[@jimbrencampbell1255]

Awesome video! I like the merino wool top you're wearing. I want to get one. What is the make? I don't recognize the symbol on the front of the top.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you X2! This was a gift from Anne and Jim for my birthday and the brand is Ortovox. They picked it up at an independent outfitter store where they live and none of us had heard of the brand previously. It's an exceptional shirt and I love it! Hope you find one too :-)

[@annerichardson4170]

Tru Outdoors Kamloops has a lot of fabulous Marino clothing. Online shopping is available (no kick backs for me 😆). And yes, that shirt was definitely self preservation on our part. I was a bit worried about “the stink is real” theme and figured we could solve that problem for all of us. 😂. It worked!!

[@jasonegervari]

Another great video. Did you find out why the foot side of sleeping bag has moisture? Have the same problem, last 6 inches is always wet for some reason on outside. Even though im 6'6 i sleep on a angle to guarantee it doesnt touch in my 2 man tent but everytime i go its the same

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Jason! I never did figure it out and on some things it would even happen around my chest. Obviously nothing is touching me in my tent on my chest! This is something I've only noticed with big Agnes sleep system bags. In fact, this particular bag is the fourth they had to send me over the course of six months due to "down shifting". One bag arrived at my house, brand new, and I took it out and held it up to the window. I could see through it basically. Pretty terrible quality for such a great company and it's sad to see them going downhill that way. What kind of bag are you using?

[@jasonegervari]

@@HowestheHike sea to summit, only happens at the end for me never in the chest and no issues with the filling looks good, actually find it to warm at times. I also have a marmot synthetic it never happens at the feet area but it’s a good 2 pounds heavier so only use that one on short trips but I like the wider size of it

[@HowestheHike]

Interesting... We have a mystery on our hands!!

[@billbagshaw8209]

The trail was that bad when Matt and I did it when we met you on the trail years ago.

[@HowestheHike]

Wow - that's too bad. I hear parts of it are far worse now after the June snow storm although they seem to be out clearing it.

[@marcofthetrail]

I am partial to the green thrones. Sometimes those log over a hole toilets have a rather....sketchy looking log lol. If you know what I mean. Imagine that thing breaking at just the wrong moment?

[@HowestheHike]

This is true as well! And I've often wondered what would happen if that log broke. Fortunately most of the time it's just me - and only me - using it in recent times. Nothing like rolling around in your own...

[@annerichardson4170]

Ummmmm yup. The one at horseshoe is very sketchy, weird angle, low set, and definitely has a “best before date has expired “feel to it. Crappy trail conditions indeed 😆

[@HowestheHike]

Yes, that particular one makes you think you may fall into the pit! Now that would make for a good opening segment for a video :-)

[@erikafriesen228]

How was the deadfall to snake indian falls?

[@HowestheHike]

None to the falls really. 2km of horrible deadfall south of horseshoe when we hiked. May have been cleared by now.

[@billbagshaw8209]

How was the road to Celestine lake trail head?

[@HowestheHike]

It's quite bumpy and I would suggest a high clearance vehicle at this point to be honest. The good news is that they've been in there working on the road since the fire and I don't expect any issues with deadfall over the road at this point.

[@billbagshaw8209]

Thank you.

[@HowestheHike]

You're welcome!

[@josephgionet7632]

Where is this located? Is it in Canada?

[@yzadetry2145]

Yes, Jasper National Park in Alberta

[@HowestheHike]

Yes as someone else posted, Jasper National Park in Alberta Canada