Banff National Park - Egypt Lakes Backpack

Larches turning yellow

Foot repair

Vista Lake

Shadow Lake

Our last backpack was to the Egypt Lakes area.  We came in from Vista Lake because the usual route in (via the road to the ski area to the south) was closed due to flooding earlier in the summer.  Our first day we camped at Shadow Lake CG.  The hike here was hard, possibly because our packs weighed more than we did.

Heading off with a fanny pack

View from near Gibbon Pass toward
Twin Lakes

Day hiking near Healy Pass with Ross, our new
Canadian friend!

Day two we went over Gibbon Pass and to the Egypt Lakes CG.  This is where we befriended Ross, a former Banff ranger and just all around kick-ass guy.  He took us on a day hike the next day up Healy Pass and then along the ridge from the pass.  Views were stunning and a day without a pack was most welcome!

Bourgeau Lake

Our plan was to head back the way we came but Ross convinced us to continue our backpack to Bourgeau Lake and out to a trailhead where we could hitch back to our car.  The route out was not marked and involved a lot of high alpine wandering around.  We didn't mind as it was stunning and meant we didn't have to climb back over the huge passes we'd navigated on the way in.  When we got the trail head at the end, no ride was to be had but we all managed to commandeer a ride into Banff, where Ross lives.  We dropped our stuff at his house and hung in town for a few hours until his wife came home with the car.  Ross then drove us all the way back to our car, which was not particularly close.  What a superstar and a fun backpacking companion to boot.

Nearing the pass below Mt. Bourgeau

Cross country between Healy Pass and the saddle
below Mt. Bourgeau