Here are my pictures for the trip:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/560893682QKMLhuHere is the trip report... FINALLY!
A “steepish” walk in the Rockies with the Hodgeman
The Hikers – Hodge (our host and tour guide), Naviguesser (comic relief), Ewker (#2 card shark), Ladyhiker (glacier spotter).
The support Team – Mrs. Naviguesser and her friend (and now all ours also) Marilyn.
The epic road trip begins in Eugene, Oregon with the Naviguessers arriving in time to learn the fine art of laundry basket packing. But, alas… the lessons will have to continue another trip as Ladyhiker is informed that there will be 6 persons in a 5 person car with no room for a laundry basket (or breathing). Mrs. Navi heads upstairs to retire for the evening after giving strict instructions that Ladyhiker is not allowed any beverages (read=wine) until all packed and ready. Once we are certain that Mrs. Navi has succumbed to the land of dreams out comes the spirits! YEAH! Shhhh… Ladyhiker proceeds to the garage to finish packing with the help of the Naviguesser sitting on the stepladder entertaining.
Before departing Eugene, we make a quick stop at Safeway in Eugene to pick up contraband for the Hodgeman and a strong espresso at Starbucks for the Mrs. Before heading north to Portland to have breakfast at Wanker’s Bar (only the best for my friends!). After a yummy breakfast and the enjoyment of eating peanuts and throwing the shells on the floor (just like eating at home!) and considering adding to the undergarment collection above the bar we hit the road for the drive to Seattle to pick up Marilyn. The road trip with the Naviguesser’s is never disappointing. The laughs never stop… No one is immune from the humor of the crazies in the car. If you happen to see a “Shock Flashlight”, Trust me it has nothing to do with light. Marilyn joins the fun and we arrive in Canada with the Hodgeman and Nancy and Ewker waiting for us. One look at the Honda and we head off to Hodge’s brother’s to install a Thule case on the top. Hmmmm.. it’s going to be mission impossible to store backpacks, plus luggage, plus, plus, plus…. Next morning the hardest part of the trip begins. After loading and reloading and loading again and looking down and seeing yet another backpack that isn’t in, it starts all over. Finally! The luggage and backpacks are loaded… I doubt Houdini would have been able to pull this trick off!
Off we head for a night at Valemount. Beautiful hotel and scenery. Next morning we head to Mt Robson Provencial Park. The views are outstanding from the road. We have plenty of photo ops due to 6 people in the car all needing “potty” (I think Hodge even call it that now! LOL) stops. Mt Robson looms over us as we get closer. I keep looking at Mt. Robson thinking that it will take a miracle to get me up there.. After some panic I realize that we aren’t going to the top of Robson.. Whew… Wonder if I’ll get to see a glacier?
Mrs. Navi (aka Corliss) and Marilyn drop us off at the trailhead. We say our goodbyes and I try to stop whining about not staying in lodges with the ladies and off I head off with the guys. I’m impressed with the trail.. Not steep, wide and in good shape. (Maybe that Hodge has exaggerated a bit about the steepish trails???) We hike along the Robson River, past Kinney lake and our camp for the night Whitehorn Camp. I’m on the lookout for a glacier because Hodge said there could possibly be some in the area (Glacier #1 Whitehorn glacier). The trees and rocks across the lake form a perfect wine glass that makes me already homesick. Ewker brings out the cards and I proceed to turn into a crazed competitive card shark. The next day I secretly have to admit Hodge was right as the trail becomes the dreaded “steepish”. The scenery is spectacular! We walk through the Valley of a Thousand Falls. We avoid another “steepish” trail by walking across the Alluvial Fan. There is no hurry as there are many beautiful views to see and pictures to be taken. We pass by several falls, taking time to snap photos of White Falls, Falls of the Pool, and Emperor Falls (the weather was not great for pictures, but we lucked out on the way out and got some great pictures). Late afternoon we spot Mist Glacier before we even get to Berg Lake. Soon, Berg Glacier also comes into view. Stunning! Sure wish I could see a glacier!
Next morning Navi and Ladyhiker move fully set up tents down the trail to new tent spots as the spot we shared was a bit close to the “potty”… eeewwwwww…. Navi had the front of the tent and I had the end of the tent and we held it above our heads to avoid the brush on the side of the trail. Leave it to the Californians and Oregonians to create a scene in Canada (well.. one of many.. lol). This day was spent day hiking past Robson Glacier and over to Snowbird Pass. The Robson Glacier is huge and spectacular! However, as we were having lunch at Snowbird Meadow falls, Hodge suggested that we were going to have a “bit of weather” as Beauregard Mt is now buried under some ugly black clouds. I learned a “bit of a lesson” here. When Hodge says something about a bit of weather from now on, I will immediately jump into my rain gear! It would have been a lot easier than when it is pouring down and you are getting soaked!
Next day we day hiked up (yes – very steepish) up Toboggan Falls to Mum Basin and over to the Continental Divide where BCer’s have a tradition to carry out. Tremendous wildflower display! Amazing views of Mt Robson, Berg Lake, Snowbird Pass, Robson Glacier! Hodge and Ewker went into a cave and I protected us by staying near the entrance to watch for bears. Yeah.. bears.. that’s it…
Next morning we broke camp and headed down to Kinney Lake for the last night. We tried to hurry by the ladies with the COW BELLS tied to their shoes and packs because a ranger told them they needed the bells to protect themselves from bears. Well, not only did they discourage the bears (of which ran into the next province to get away from the noise), everyone on the trail was on a dead run to get past the noise. The Naviguesser put on his Ipod and tore up the trail at a blistering pace. Corliss and Marilyn were there to collect us and our stinky gear (ok.. we were stinky too) and drove us directly to a campground and insisted that if we didn’t shower we weren’t going with them! Geeze…
The next couple of days were spent sightseeing with the Hodgeman as our expert tour guide. We spent a night in Jasper and enjoyed during the touron thing. The next morning we headed to the glacier Park Lodge via the Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier, Banff, Banff Springs Hotel, lunch at the Outpost Pub, Lake Louise, Chateau Louise, Spiral train tunnels (of which we actually got to see this with trains in it! The train actually spirals over itself). Somewhere along this route I stopped and bought sex on a stick which I shared with everyone and somehow Marilyn managed to get this on her…. Ummm.. You had to be there….
The last night was spent at the Glacier Park Lodge where Marilyn and I spent the night watching the hotel front desk and the hallways on the closed circuit security channel! LOL.. The views of Illecillewaet Glacier from the lodge was stunning! Then the drive back to Coquitlam to drop off Hodge and Ewker and the Thule thingy and off we went. The road trip back was hysterically funny as anticipated! I still don’t understand the white horse thing……
Thank you HODGE for a great trip! You put together and awesome hike and a wonderful sightseeing adventure! You’re the best! Thank you! Thank you!
Thanks to Eddy for all the fun rummy card games… too bad you lost….
Special thanks to the Navi and Corliss for another Epic road trip! When is the next one???
The End…
