July 28, 2024: Let the adventure begin! It has started! I am writing this in my tent at the highest elevation of my route to Creston (1820m). The sign for Kianuko Provincial Park is right next to me (so is the trail but it is not a busy one!). From here it is all downhill tomorrow and the next day to Creston.
Again I am so lucky to have the best neighbours you could wish for!
After the send off/birthday party on Friday they still came out this morning to wish me well. It means the world to me! 😍
I left just after 7am and made good progress, 5km/h down St. Mary’s Road. There was even another Dina sighting along the road (she had forgotten to offer her eye drops in case of smoke). So incredibly nice! Thank you Dina!
A little over 3 hours got me to St. Mary’s Lake where I started the gravel portion of the road. On the paved road I had steady traffic but on Meachen Road it was somewhat quiet … I think I counted 3 cars going down and 4 up.
At 25km I was near Meachen Falls and ready for a break … but couldn’t find a good spot (out of the dust should a car go by).
So I kept walking and around 31km or so, my now-new friend Shane from Cranbrook stopped to offer a ride! The ominous clouds had just gotten darker and a few drops were falling … I saw that as a sign (and the rule is: a ride offered – not asked for – while walking a road is accepted!).
We had a good chat as we climbed past the furthest spot on this road I’ve been to, which is Mayo-Ailsa trail. The whole area burned in the last few years, a huge fire! Shane grew up in the Kootenays, hikes a lot and mentioned a few good adventures.
We drove just past Hourglass Lake and as it got too rough, Shane dropped me and went back to Hourglass parking. He was going to hike around Haystack Lake and Carrot Lake but I didn’t see him again on the trail. Overall that saved me 15km out of a 51km day 👍🏻 Thank you Shane!
The weather was warm, not hot, with some clouds later in the day. Besides the cars, I didn’t see anybody … no cyclists or hikers. Even once I was on the trail I didn’t run into anybody (Hourglass parking had 4 cars parked).
Up here I have gained an hour as I am now in Pacific Daylight Time! There is a small lake nearby where I filled up my water. Tomorrow I only have 10km or so to the outfitters cabin, it will be great to have more food and coffee there as I’m too tired to cook tonight!
The body feels okay, the hips get sore from the road walking and the shoulders are always sore anyways 😁 but overall not bad! I’m happy to have made it this far! Tomorrow afternoon I can rest at the cabin …
It was warm in the tent while the sun was still up but it’s getting cooler. I’m not expecting a chilly night, probably very pleasant.
46 km moved, 31 of those hiked.
Looking forward to following you on this journey! Is that a loaf of bread tucked in the back of your backpack?
Haha good spotting! I had some buns left over at home so took them for breakfast on the road! Thanks for following!