Barry, Bob, Dave and Gene backpacked 127 miles of the Great Divide Trail (GDT), Canada’s extension of the Continental Divide Trail, over perhaps its’ most spectacular stretch in 11 days in August 2011. They began the trip by meeting at the Lake Louise Alpine Center Hostel on August 12, Barry straight from civilization, Bob from 12 days on the PCT, Dave from several days on glaciers and rock scrambles with Canadian climbing friends, and Gene from 2 days of day hikes in and around Lake Louise.

The route started at the Owen Creek trail head on the David Thompson Highway approximately 50 miles north of Lake Louise, first skirting the boundary of Banff National Park before entering the White Goat Wilderness, and then extending the rest of the way through Jaspar National Park before finishing in downtown Jaspar. It included the primitive, difficult, often trail-less traverses of the Owen Creek and Cataract Creek Canyons, the long unmaintained crossing of Maligne Pass from Poligne Creek to Maligne Lake, and the famous traverse of the Skyline Trail.

Along the way, deep streams were forded, almost hurricane-force winds were battled, and 10 high passes were crossed, including the unnamed pass that is the highest point on the GDT. In Cataract Canyon two sightings of Grizzlies occurred. Most of the time, the group hiked and camped in solitude. Only one resupply was possible at Maligne Lake, about 3/4th of the way, so our loads were heavy at the outset.

Pictures at https://photos.app.goo.gl/kcQindCFzqBEYivL7