GDT Day 2

We did pretty well getting to Akamina campground around 3pm but it felt like a very long day for sure!

Our night in Waterton was okay, after the campground noises had died down. Nice temperature, no mosquitos but lots of wind during the night. 

By the time we started hiking at 8:20am, I had showered, packed up, eaten at the coffee shop and finished charging/brushing teeth at the parks office bathroom. Big fan of those bathrooms! Having a coffee and muffin in town was a treat! ☕️

The trail (Carthew-Alderson trail) started on the edge of town and was very steep, rocky and exposed through a burn area at first. The sweat was dripping right away even though the morning temperature was very pleasant. I’d say about half of the 10km uphill was like that, the other half soft trail in the shade. 

Finally a large rockwall opened up, then we got to the first lake (Alderson Lake). But the climb wasn’t done and had some pretty loose and steep stretches! 

But the views were gorgeous at the summit! I didn’t see anybody at all on the uphill but then hit the “shuttle bubble” around the summit (hikers taking the shuttle from town to Cameron Lake and hiking back to town). That was all good, we had some nice chats.

On the backside towards Cameron Lake it was quiet again until closer to the lake (then more people pit for a short walk from the lake). 

There were some pretty loose and sketchy slide areas …

Cameron Lake was busy and touristy but I happily enjoyed a cold soda after that long downhill! 

Then a 1.2km road walk, and 2km trail to Akamina camp. From the road on it’s off the GDT but it’s the only place to camp in the area. 1.5km from the road we crossed into BC and the Akamina-Kishinena Park, so no parks reservations necessary ($5 cash).

Comments mentioned that the camp is exposed and hot plus windy; it’s again a burn area. But it works … has a toilet, eating area and gear boxes. The only thing I would like to change are tent pads filled with rocks! Not sure who had this genius idea but those don’t hold stakes.

It’s pretty dusty around here so I tried to rinse socks and feet. A German guy showed up shortly after me and promptly left for a trail run after he set up his tent!

Update: He returned at 8pm having run 4 hours and 32km along Akamina Ridge (a technical one). I couldn’t believe it! He was in shirt and shorts, his phone in his hand, one earbud, no sunglasses or hat. Youth 😳

So right now it’s just me resting in the shade of the bear boxes (no trees, tent is hot) and Ksanka snoozing in the grass. It was a big day for her and by statistics, it’s far from the biggest. So I’ll have to see how she holds up.

At least our food bags are getting lighter 🙂

Soon I will clean up at the little creek and then retreat to the tent. 

We did 22km with almost 1300m gain today; town to camp 6:40hrs including everything …

Happy trails!