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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1718 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2008 : 3:34 PM
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Lake of the Falls / Landslide Lake (David Thompson / Cline River Forest Reserve) July 18 -21, 2008
What has become an annual event, our father and sons trip… Yours truly, Mike 18, and Eric 16. I wanted a bit more ‘rustic’ trip this time, maybe some fishing, random camping rather than the 'National Parks' style stuff… a little early for a few of my other options (snow etc) so I was reading about this general area. I also had another trip coming up over the August long weekend a bit further west. Then dav1481 posted http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27108 and a little light went on. After polling a few people who had done this trail in the past the decision was made and before we knew it we were standing at the Pinto Lake trailhead.
Day 1:
Pinto Lake Trailhead to Lake of the Falls
Distance: 16.6km
Elevations: TH 1385m, Lake of the Falls 2150m
1.Nice view from the trailhead The first stretch of this trail is what I call “pay to play” trail… no views, rolling thru the trees but not overly taxing. At the Lake of the Falls / Pinto junction 3. we headed away from the Cline River and slowly gained elevation alongside Entry Creek. Still lots of melting going on up higher. At the junction of Lake of the Falls and Landslide Lake trails we crossed the bridge and a little further on crossed on a single log bridge 5. just downstream of the ford. All our creek crossings were possible on informal log bridges although we were prepared for a cold wade.
After two sets of switchbacks with a moderately taxing grade we made it into the valley entrance to Lake of the Falls. First views of Purple Mountain and then Resolute Mountain. We passed a few campsites but we had our hearts set on a lakeside spot and were not disappointed.
6. Party!!… We made sure we moved a little further down the lake from these gents.
Finding a place to hang the food was a bit of a pain. I climbed up the hillside and roped up between two trees but they weren’t strong enough and the weight of our food just drew them together. Curse, swear, I eventually just hauled it straight up the one tree about 16’ off the ground and put the more ‘squirrel tempting’ food in our bear bin. No problems thankfully and the little hill climb first thing in the morning was a good way to warm up. And the view from there 8. 9. wasn’t too bad either. (Our campsite is the yellow and red tents)
We had a shower than evening that lasted right thru supper, ice on the fly in the morning, but after that it was clear skies and relatively warm temps for the rest of the trip.
The boys wanted to read in their tent after supper as it had cooled off quite a bit and I went up the lake for a little photo shoot. 10-13. Pano 14. from the food hang.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Day 2:
Sidetrip to Lake of the Falls Lookout
Distance: +- 13 km round trip
Elevations: Lake of the Falls 2150m, Lake of the Falls Lookout 2760m
The next morning the little slugs didn’t get up until the sun hit their tent so we didn’t get a super early start but we had lots of time for our daytrip up the valley and up to Lake of the Falls Lookout. The valley 15.-17. was beautiful with a stream running down into the lake and a variety of alpine flowers. We had a climb ahead of us 18. to reach the Lookout but it was worth the grind with views pretty much 360 from the top.
25,26. Boys had a competition to see who could ad the smallest rock to the summit cairn. So small that the wind was taking them off at the end. If they aren’t doing something like that it’s a running commentary on what song is stuck in their heads. At one point Mike had a song from "The Little Mermaid” … explain how that happens… he’d really like to know.
A bold little Pika 28. tried to haul off my sweater. Must have figured it would make a nice bed.
We then ridge-walked 29. back to the pass at the head of the valley which looked like scree from a distance but ended up being mostly bigger unstable rocks. A tedious decent 30. back into the valley.
A couple good spots 33. 34. for glissading.
Never saw a soul all day. Expected to see some bear sign up the valley but there were none.
On the way back we stopped 38. to use the facilities. There was one of these at the far end of Lake of the Falls, just up from the junction of Pinto Lake trail and Lake of the Falls trail, and one at Landslide Lake. Not necessary for a random camping area but much more environmentally friendly than cat-holes everywhere.
When we returned we had a competition to see who could stand in the water 39. the longest which I lost by a mile. Brothers though, neither one would back down. I left to get the food with them arguing about how they had to call a truce because the cold was going to cause tissue damage etc. When they finally got out they couldn’t feel their feet, just the dry plants crunching underfoot. They did a little fishing while I prepped supper. That evening I guess I tuckered them out as they wanted to read again so I went fishing. Caught two nice cutthroat 40. and one bull trout, not bad for spinning gear 20’ from my tent.
15.  16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
Day 3:
Lake of the Falls to Landslide Lake
Distance 8.3km plus 5km return sidetrip along the lake
Elevations: Lake of the Falls 2150m Intersection of Lake of the Falls & Landslide Lake trails 1800m, Landslide Lake 2000m.
Pack up and off to Landslide Lake. Those switchbacks didn’t seem near as bad going down! Landslide Lake trail was a bit rootier, rockier, and had a fair number of downed trees across it. Part way up where the underground outlet from Landslide Lake comes bubbling out of the rocks 44. -47. I took this set of pics. The lighting wasn’t ideal for photography but it was a beautiful spot with mosses etc over all the rocks.
Start swatting mosquitoes… must be getting close. 48. A patch of blue.
We were the only ones there so we claimed the spot on the point both for the views and the breeze which helped keep the swarms at bay. It was hot so Eric 49. and I jumped in for a swim before setting up camp.
Still mid afternoon at this point so we hiked up the shore of the lake 50. to the inlet past some random camps. There is a nice campsite near the inlet 51. 52. but some piglets had recently stayed there and we could easily have packed out 30 pounds of paper plates and other crap if we were so inclined. Hopefully one of the fishermen who get dropped off by chopper will do the deed. (and I’m not saying it was one of them that did this…)
Back at camp the mosquitoes were thick but our bug spray and jackets kept most of them off. I breathed in my share preparing supper, they seemed attracted to the stove and my blue pants 54. (I read somewhere that mosquitoes like blue??)
A little relatively unsuccessful fishing that night and then crash.
41.  42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54.
Day 4:
Landslide Lake to Pinto Lake TH
Distance: 14.7km plus +-1.5km side-trip to Hidden Lake
Elevations: Landslide Lake 2000m, Pinto Lake Trailhead 1385m
A few parting shots. 55.56. The breeze never let up to allow for reflection shots… it was a beautiful spot regardless.
Freaking porcupines seem to like the plywood 57. signs.
Some of the landslide 58.that gives this lake its name.
Over, under, or around the downed trees. Eric, once again, clearly 59. did not have a heavy enough pack!
We made the side-trip to Hidden Lake 60. on the way down. Shhhh… its hidden! There are three good campsites there and some young men were fishing from a log raft. Nice spot but the people we met leaving there would rather it stayed hidden. Good luck with that guys. If you don’t share nobody will share with you!
Back at the junction of Landslide Lake trail and Lake of the Falls trail. Don’t forget to sign in 61. because clearly it’s important in this neck of the woods to know who has the clap.
The impossibly fragile looking hoodoos 62. along the Cline River.
Rest of the trip out was a hot ramble thru the forest to the car and pizza in Canmore. Yes, that was me going past Lake Louise… the only wanker driving the speed limit holding everyone up. Sue me.
55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62.
All in all a fabulous trip which we all enjoyed tremendously… a highly recommended area.
Also a shout out to Flagstaff… how was your fishing? (Missed Flagstaff but met his Dad at Lake of the Falls)
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Edited by - Sodbuster on 08/10/2008 3:42 PM
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884 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2008 : 6:05 PM
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| Fun to read your TR Sodbuster. I'm glad you made it up to the lookout, something we didn't manage to do last month. And I share your frustration with the food hang. The trees at Lake of the Falls suck! |
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 Simpson quoting tree hunter and canyon rapping rockhound who longs for the return of his trapped Toyota
Salt Lake City, UT
USA
2268 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2008 : 8:16 PM
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| Awesome trip, Sodbuster. The White Goat country always intrigues me for some reason-it always seems a bit forgotten and full of those glowering, gray ranges. I was originally planning on a trip to the Valley of the Lakes, just north of you, for around the same time. |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1718 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 5:27 PM
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Thanks again for the inspiration dav1481 I would guess getting to the Lookout might have involved a bit more snow travel when you were there?
Too Many Canyons As you know the Whitegoat is just north of here but it similar country. The next trip I have to report on (when I get the time) is the Pinto Lake / Michelle Lake / Owen Creek area. I would give it higher marks for scenery and that remote feeling if you are still contemplating that area. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13598 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 9:33 PM
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Nice, lots of wide open spaces. Like the waterfall and purple flowers by the mountain shots.
Nice.
K |
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319 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2008 : 9:15 PM
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I was wondering if any of us were going to make a TR on this lake. No, unfortunately we didn't catch ANYTHING. I worked the whole lake the evening you arrived, losing most of my flies in the talus field on the west side. Also went out early in the morning and only got a single bite. Lol, I thought the fishing would've been much better than that considering its a very popular fly in lake. Good to see you guys caught some nice cutts.
PS: Did you see how the marmots made their home in the toilet? |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1699 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2008 : 12:22 AM
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| Outstanding!! Great TR..what a neat trip with your boys..what is better than that?? Oh if only I was so brave to do trips like that with my son...very cool. |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1718 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2008 : 09:27 AM
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Flagstaff: That sucks you got skunked... but that's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching" . If you get the chance plan a trip to Michelle Lakes for the Golden Trout. It would be a more interesting spot to fish too with varied shoreline, the two lakes plus the connecting stream in between. Short season there and not easily accessable so perhaps less fishing pressure.
calixtomoon: Start small and work your way up. My boys laugh at the distance etc we did on our first trips together and now they can outstrip me. It's worth the effort |
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edmonton, alberta
22 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2009 : 3:44 PM
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| great report and shots, i plan on doing that trip with a friend late june/early july. hope its not too wet then |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2009 : 3:47 PM
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Le Sigh. That was to be part of our big summer trip had I not been 8 months pregnant.
Looks wonderful. |
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747 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 09:04 AM
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| Wow this is somewhere I would definitely like to go! Thanks for sharing your pics and TR! :) |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1718 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2010 : 5:41 PM
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I was asked via email for a better description of how to get to Hidden Lake so here it is to the best of my recollection, perhaps it will help others or if someone else has been there perhaps they would like to add their directions.
It is on the approach to Landslide lake (from the Y in the trail where right goes to Lake of the Falls, left goes to Landslide Lake), the trail leaves the main trail on the left side as you go up. There is a blaze on a tree marked with an "H" that I have circled in red on the attached photo. The trail itself is fairly distict but we somehow missed seeing it on the way up, there is a bank there I think and some fallen trees that disguised it a bit. |
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884 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2010 : 8:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Sodbuster
I was asked via email for a better description of how to get to Hidden Lake so here it is to the best of my recollection, perhaps it will help others or if someone else has been there perhaps they would like to add their directions.
It is on the approach to Landslide lake (from the Y in the trail where right goes to Lake of the Falls, left goes to Landslide Lake), the trail leaves the main trail on the left side as you go up. There is a blaze on a tree marked with an "H" that I have circled in red on the attached photo. The trail itself is fairly distict but we somehow missed seeing it on the way up, there is a bank there I think and some fallen trees that disguised it a bit.
There is a log “guard rail” defining the edge of the trail on your right as you ascend, just prior to the spot where your photo was taken, Sodbuster. People go up to Hidden Lake to fish, and seem to enjoy guarding its location. I don't know why; it's on the map.
It’s only a five-minute walk off the main trail and while it's worth the side trip, don't even consider camping there; you will need a transfusion from mosquito bites and miss out on the amazing lakeshore camp spots available at Landslide Lake. |
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| gyppo
Intermediate Member
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
753 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2010 : 8:17 PM
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Nice bump Sodbuster!
Benoit |
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1 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2010 : 04:39 AM
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| Thanks again Sodbuster! Cheers bud. |
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Lake of the Falls / Landslide Lake, July 18-21/08
