Next morning, it was still raining, and it looked like the start of a dismal trip, spirits were low. After breakfast, we had to decide whether or not to delay our 5-day backpack trip, since the forecast indicated rain continuing throughout the day. But, then the rain got into the mode of off then on. We figured the weather forecasters here in the Rocky Mountains probably couldn't do any better than East Tennessee forecasters, with all the variables, so we decided to proceed as planned. Good move - after that first day we had warm, sunny days, and freezing nights for the rest of our trip. We camped at Four Point Campsite, Brazeau Lake, Jonas Shoulder, Boulder Creek, then out. Arvell had trouble getting the straps adjusted for his Dana pack with the heavy load, so he decided to return to Brazeau River Campsite then meet Ted and me at Boulder Creek, thus avoiding three rigorous pass ascents, and the 14 mile return hike to Boulder Creek. We saw evidence of Grizzly - scat in the trail and areas where they dug for ground squirrels. And, we had a fat porcupine visit us at Jonas campsite. This Jonas Pass loop was described as the most scenic backpack trip in Jasper National Park, and I couldn't dispute that. Then, we drove into the town of Jasper, tried to get a motel room, but there were lots of no-vacancy signs, except for the high-priced suites. As we were looking for a room, we saw a bull elk and several cows wandering around in the woods near Jasper.....more pictures. So, we checked into a private campground, showered, and got a little R & R time by feasting on pizza, some kind of squid appetizer, beverage of choice, and later, ice cream.

Next day, we drove into British Columbia to begin a three day backpack trip to Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. This involved a climb of 2600 feet and 11 mile hike, to a campsite at Berg Lake, after passing by Kinney Lake, Valley of 1000 falls, White Falls, Emperor Falls, and Mt. Robson Glacier. At the campsite Ted said he heard thunder, so we thought about the dismal possibility of rain again and not being able to see and photograph the beautiful peak of Mt. Robson. We were told that the peak had been hidden in clouds most of the summer. But, as fate would have it, the thunder sound was actually the sound of massive chunks of ice breaking away from the glaciers. We spent the next day day hiking from our base camp, taking many pictures, visiting another glacier and ice field on the far end of Berg Lake, and relaxing on the porch of the campsite's cabin building all afternoon photographing the changing views of Berg Lake and snow covered Mt. Robson. This log cabin was totally enclosed, and contained a wood burning stove and picnic tables...real nice, and hard to leave. Late in the afternoon, the clouds completely disappeared from the peak (it makes it's own clouds), and we were able to take some outstanding pictures. During this three day trip, we met many Asian, German, English, and other foreign hikers; in fact, the foreign hikers far outnumbered the American hikers.

The last day, we hiked out the same way we hiked in, showered in the campground, and spent the rest of the day driving back down the Icefield Parkway to Banff, then on to Calgary to a motel. Three of us took 37 rolls of pictures, so be careful when asking one of us to see pictures, it may take a while. The three with regrets for having to end such a trip - Ted Cross, Dr. Arvell Luttrell, and Garry Luttrell.

RODGERS RIDGE, PART 2, BACKPACK
7-8 Oct 95
(G. S. Luttrell reporting)
Joe DeLoach led a dayhike to Rogers Ridge on October 7, but Dr. Arvell Luttrell and I wanted to go on a backpack trip this weekend.  Arvell had never been to Rogers Ridge and wanted to go there too, so we decided to tag along following the day hikers and do both.  We set up camp on Forest Service land just across from the not-used cabin on top of Glenn Bald, elevation 4980'.  We relaxed all afternoon, listening to the UT - Arkansas football game, enjoying the splendid view, and taking a picture now and then.  We experienced a gorgeous sunset, and finally the sun disappeared behind Eastman in the distance.  On Sunday, we again had splendid views this time with the fog hanging in the valleys.  We again relaxed all morning, visited the Tricorner site, and finally hiked off the mountain after lunch.  Our intent was to do a loop by hiking back through Haw Gap and Cut Laurel Gap, but locked gates and plenty of No-trespassing signs forced us to return via Rogers Ridge.