GDT Day 1 – Aug 4

Well the adventure started with a bang! At the very last minute, namely 7pm before our early morning departure the next day, my friend’s medical appointment was cancelled. That appointment was the ground zero for this hike, that’s how all the planning started, catching a ride. In January the appointment was made, in February I reserved campsites based on this start date, and it went from there. 

I’m thankful that Daryl still offered to take me to Pincher Creek (having seen it now, hitchhiking might have been tricky as it isn’t much of a town!). But I tried to put the stress aside and also asked around at 8pm if anyone was going east the next day for any reason. I appreciate all who tried to make it work but I adore my trail angels Kristi and Gord 💕 who immediately started reorganizing their day to make the drive possible (it takes about 3:15hrs to Waterton). 

I have to admit, after this giant favour was organized and settled, I slept really well!

On the drive, we slowly left behind the smoke that is still choking Kimberley and admired the increasingly majestic mountains. All went well dropping my resupply box in Coleman with a friend’s daughter which is also a great and appreciated help!

The time flew and soon we were driving the last flat kilometers towards the high mountains of Waterton Lakes Park!

The Parks Canada office (a rather large visitor centre!) was happy to store our backpacks for a few hours so Ksanka and I didn’t have to carry it all to the border and back. After leaving my trail angels I got onto the trail to the border around 11am. Kristi and Gord also had time to hike and admire the mountains before heading home. 

The 6km hike to the border was hot and exposed and busy for half the way, then soft and shady and quiet for the second half.

Overall it turned out a bit more undulating than a trail along a lake suggests but it went by quickly.

After 1.5 hrs we reached the US border!

Pictures, a break, some water, some chatting – it was all quite uneventful. But we were excited to have reached the official starting point! 

The return trip was a lot busier with plenty of people and plenty of attention for Ksanka.

Back in town at 2:30pm we caught up with messages, got our stuff, had a cold drink in town and then checked into the campground. 

We are staying in the rather large Waterton townsite camp, it’s quite the trek just to get to our site. It’s busy … the sites are just open ground with a picnic table each but no complaints about free hot showers 😁

And that’s really it for the first day. A mom and kid next to me (hopefully early sleepers) and a guy further up that might be a thru hiker, based on gear (Durston tent and pack!). He didn’t seem interested in comparing notes though 😳

After a shower and some charging we are now tucked in, admiring the last sun on the mountains. Tomorrow will start with a decently long day and the climb over Summit/Carthew Alderson pass.

Happy trails!