GDR-C Day 4 - Peter Logheed PP to Lower Elk Lake
Ellwood CG in Peter Logheed Provincial Park to Lower Elk Lakes CG
Thursday July 17,2019
Miles 13.1
Ride time 1:51
Total time 2:15
Start elevation 5800'
End elevation 5640
High point 6400
Low point 5640
Elevation Gain ~900'?
Days bike camping: +1
Contiguous days riding : 1
A purposely short day today, as the route passes by Lower Elk Lake, an incredibly scenic area, with a bike and hike in campground on the lake.
The original plan was to go 15 miles further to Weary Creek, but after reading about Elk Lakes, I decided it was worthy of a longer day for the morrow in order camp and dwell, at this place for a spell.
I made my one and only Continental Divide Crossing today, uneventfully, even flat and a bit marshy given all of the rain. The climb had my first hike a bike, maybe 150 yards.
With that divide crossing I leave Alberta after 140 ish miles and entered British Columbia, which should be about 150 more miles before returning the good ol' US of A.
The lake does not disappoint! Forest clad shores line this small lake at 5400', closely surrounded by 9000 & 10000 foot peaks, with a couple a Glaciers as well, feeding torrents in to the lake.
It starts sprinkling lightly as I arrive, so I quickly setup camp and hurry over to the lake for my lunch sustenance, under a moss bedraggled sheltering spruce.
The sprinkle gathers steam to a lite rain and then back off again, many times. Just like the summits playing peak a boo, oft modestly cloaked and hidden, sometimes enveloped in wispy lace clouds, shyly showing a ridge now, maybe cliff face soon after, and finally a summit for a tantalizing moment. The clouds and peaks are dancing their eternal burlesque for me, the sole transient visitor this evening.
Not to be forgotten, old Sol tries breaking though a few times, even to the point of rays reaching the sodden flanks across the lake. But no match for the burlesque show, which seems to be reticent regarding the peaks and cirque have cradling the Petain Glacier, quickly closing up old Sol time and again.
Perhaps morning will reveal.
A pair of loons fish through sprinkles and rains, calling out or me a regular intervals; come, come gaze out upon the beauty, it is both fleeting, yet timeless.
The campground is empty, though several backpacking groups have passed through. I am camped 15 to 20 yards from the lake, and am sneaking over regularly. The tent pads are newly refurbished, lined with cedar mulch. There are fire pits, with benches, firewood and a very heavy iron age maul. Since this is bear country, there is bear boxes as well, a welcome amenity that saves the hassle of having to hang the food at night.
Thursday July 17,2019
Miles 13.1
Ride time 1:51
Total time 2:15
Start elevation 5800'
End elevation 5640
High point 6400
Low point 5640
Elevation Gain ~900'?
Days bike camping: +1
Contiguous days riding : 1
A purposely short day today, as the route passes by Lower Elk Lake, an incredibly scenic area, with a bike and hike in campground on the lake.
The original plan was to go 15 miles further to Weary Creek, but after reading about Elk Lakes, I decided it was worthy of a longer day for the morrow in order camp and dwell, at this place for a spell.
I made my one and only Continental Divide Crossing today, uneventfully, even flat and a bit marshy given all of the rain. The climb had my first hike a bike, maybe 150 yards.
With that divide crossing I leave Alberta after 140 ish miles and entered British Columbia, which should be about 150 more miles before returning the good ol' US of A.
The lake does not disappoint! Forest clad shores line this small lake at 5400', closely surrounded by 9000 & 10000 foot peaks, with a couple a Glaciers as well, feeding torrents in to the lake.
It starts sprinkling lightly as I arrive, so I quickly setup camp and hurry over to the lake for my lunch sustenance, under a moss bedraggled sheltering spruce.
The sprinkle gathers steam to a lite rain and then back off again, many times. Just like the summits playing peak a boo, oft modestly cloaked and hidden, sometimes enveloped in wispy lace clouds, shyly showing a ridge now, maybe cliff face soon after, and finally a summit for a tantalizing moment. The clouds and peaks are dancing their eternal burlesque for me, the sole transient visitor this evening.
Not to be forgotten, old Sol tries breaking though a few times, even to the point of rays reaching the sodden flanks across the lake. But no match for the burlesque show, which seems to be reticent regarding the peaks and cirque have cradling the Petain Glacier, quickly closing up old Sol time and again.
Perhaps morning will reveal.
A pair of loons fish through sprinkles and rains, calling out or me a regular intervals; come, come gaze out upon the beauty, it is both fleeting, yet timeless.
The campground is empty, though several backpacking groups have passed through. I am camped 15 to 20 yards from the lake, and am sneaking over regularly. The tent pads are newly refurbished, lined with cedar mulch. There are fire pits, with benches, firewood and a very heavy iron age maul. Since this is bear country, there is bear boxes as well, a welcome amenity that saves the hassle of having to hang the food at night.
Purdy
ReplyDeleteWhat that maul wasn't a part of your gear?
ReplyDeleteThought about adding it to my gear, but it was chained to the tree,. Sigh.....
Delete