#upper works

[glacierbandits]

How to Recognize Different Trailheads from Far Away

Number One, the Upper Works Trailhead. The Upper Works Trailhead.

...And now, Number Three, the Upper Works Trailhead. The...Upper Works Trailhead.

The Glacier Bandits. Recognizing trailheads from far away since 2007.

(if you understand this post, you are obviously a big Monty Python fan. If not, check out "How to Recognize Different Types of Trees from Far Away" - brilliant!)

[glacierbandits]

Heart of the 'Daks - Day three

OK - so I did mention something about a bear, and true to my word, I'll talk about it. 

So, we were asleep (well I was anyway) in the lean-to about 10:00pm when the family wakes me up about getting bit by bugs. So I pull out the tents, set both of them up, and we crawl into the tents so that we can have some peaceful slumber. About two hours after that, my wife hears a bear come sauntering down the trail towards the lean-to. Gathering up all her courage, she panics and freezes in fear. 

The bear passes by the tents and starts sniffing our gear in the lean-to. No worries about the food because we had taken the necessary precautions and it was in bear-canisters and placed about 100' away. Kath eventually whispers, "Paul!" and the intruder takes off. She whispers my name several more times and then I eventually wake up, find my flashlight and confirm that every creature of the night is gone.

You can see how little-rested the campers are at 5:30am here in the tent. I was completely well-rested since I remained calm during the bear encounter and slept right through it.

After shooting pictures of those sleeping (which they didn't want me to, I proceeded down to the lake so that I could start the morning chores of gathering water. Here's what greeted me when I arrived - fog burning off the water at a little past 5:30.

Water was smooth as glass that morning. I almost felt guilty dipping my filter in and causing ripples. But the family needed water (and at least one needed some hot water for TONS of coffee to get awake).

We departed about 7:15 and in no time at all were passing the Lake Colden Dam. This is a marvel of engineering in the backcountry. I usually say that because (1) I am influenced by the show Modern Marvels, and (2) because these structures are built in the middle of nowhere by human hands.

A 90-minute hike south towards the Upper Works Trailhead took us through Flowed Lands. Flowed Lands is quite lovely, and we arrived at the trail junction towards Calamity Pond around 8:40. 

We turned west, and headed towards Calamity Pond, and hit that about 30 minutes later (roughly 9:00am). Yes, there were those clamoring for snacks, and I just enjoyed the backcountry. Interesting thing about Calamity Pond. The story is that a man working for the MacIntye Mining company (back in the 19th century) was out looking for new sources of water. He put his shotgun in his backpack, where it discharged, fatally wounding him. (You can read more about the Calamity and the Iron works here). The amazing thing is that in the 19th century, people dragged a huge memorial stone to the exact point at which he was shot.

Another view of Calamity Pond.

Just one more suspension bridge to cross (over a chasm) and then we are practically back at the car.

I'll tell you, the hikers were very happy to be at the car this morning. A short 2-nighter, bear encounters, but certainly something to remember.

Chill Out, my friends.