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Trip Log
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This was a first-ever *real* backpack trip for myself, Marty and Joe. A first in decades for Ed. Not a first of any sort for our seasoned backpackers, Gayle and Tony. We had a FANTASTIC time, brilliant weather (although, at 34C most of the time, a bit on the warm side for me) and a truly amazing location. Kudos to Ed for putting it all together. We set off towards Elk Pass and due to an unfortunate (or fortunate) assumption (hmmmm.... what happens when we assume??) on my part, we missed the turn-off to Elk Lakes and continued on up to the cut line. We obviously made it to Elk Lakes, but we added on about 4.5kms of distance to the trip in. What happened was, just as we arrived at the intersection where we should have turned, someone said something to Marty, to which he replied, very confidently, "That's not it!". I thought the conversation was about the intersection, so, thinking Marty knows the area and was very adamant that that wasn't our intersection, I didn't speak up to say I thought it WAS our intersection. Turned out they were talking about something completely different. Oh well... we all agreed that the mistake was to our good fortune, as we got to see Lower Elk Lake, which was not on our itinerary. We ended up hiking 17kms in to the Petain Falls campground. The maps all show a camp ground at the far end of Upper Elk Lake but that campground has been decommissioned, so if you go to this area, just keep going and follow the "Petain Falls" sign, and then the subsequent "Camping" signs to get to the campground. The campground itself was quite charming, with five tent pads, a separate communal eating and fire area (with bear bins), and a very unstinky open-air "bathroom". Great view, except for any unsuspecting person on their way up before you've finished. I took to hanging my bandana on the "toilet" sign to alert people if I was currently using the "conveniences". From the camp site, you have a great view of Mt. Aosta, which has an amazing collection of "peaklets" all up and down the side of it. Marty renamed it "Mt. Pokey". Ahead of us was a sneak preview of the Petain Glacier and running beside the campground, the first waters of the Elk River. We shared the camp site with a group of four young Nova Scotians on Friday night, and two unfortunate Calgarians looking for a remote romantic get-away (who weren't counting on six COCs cluttering up their retreat), and the resident porcupine which we chased around both nights in search of the perfect prickly photograph. On Saturday we set out on a day hike to Petain Falls, which was absolutely amazing. Then, we set out for Petain Basin, which to hear the four who completed it (thanks to Ed for staying with me after I pooched out in the 34C heat) is a most spectacular and amazing hike. Ed and I are making plans to return to the area to check out that basin at another time. On Saturday evening we had an impressive and very short-lived rain shower that extinguished the very first fire I ever built on my own, five minutes after I made it. Blast!! Oh, well.... I will burn again! On Sunday we had a lovely hike out, missing zero intersections but taking no detours. Good thing, too, 'cuz about 0.5km from the vehicles, Marty blew a big hole in his left toe when his blister just couldn't hold on any longer. -- Rhonda From Marty, regarding the Basin: Petain Creek Waterfalls to Petain Basin (distance 4 km, elevation gain 520 metres). This strenuous hike/easy scramble gives access to either mountaineering opportunities or else a pleasant amble throughout the Petain Basin. There are amazing views of the Castelneau icefall and the top of the Petain Creek waterfalls. This is the most scenic and unique hike I have been on to date and a must do if you are ever in the area!! |
Photos
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Group
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Group
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Hiking
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Group
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Ed
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Rhonda, Ed
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Rhonda
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Open-air Toilet
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COC Details
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COC List