I should mention that this is definitely not an easy hike. Day 2 required some trail finding in the morning and a lot of walking over deadfall. The area around the confluence of Cataract Creek and Cline Creek is confusing. I did this hike last year and my boots were soaking wet. Matty and I called it the "Cataract Creek Boogie". Day 3 has you cresting two very high passes. Big elevation gains followed by big loss. Day 4 is downhill all the way, on a never-ending muddy trail along Owen Creek. And then there's the issue of vehicle logistics. It's worth doing, as it is so spectacular, but the work to reward ration is very very high. And, we walked 10 hours every day, so it took us 40 hrs to cover 55 km, making this the slowest paced hike I've ever done (and it's not because I'm getting old).
wonderful video - my wife and I worked from home all day and looked forward to watching this. Canadian Rockies are so beautifully rugged! End of day camp food looked pretty good too...
Absolutely amazing footage. Without seeing the video you wouldn't be able to visualise the hike. With the snow still in certain areas it must be cold yet it looked warm with the sunshine and you guys in tee shits 👍👍
It really is! You have to work hard for these views. HArder than most trails. It's becoming more popular because people are discovering the GDT. The trail needs a lot of maintenance and some basic signage.
Glorious scenery. I was sore after hiking today but I felt more sore watching you all. Brandon did amazing. Oh, black bear, front, slipped some, I’d say.
Awesome area for backpacking. I absolutely love that scenery. Some of those water crossings were deep!! Good views and good friends and good food always equals a great time. Cool video Marty!!
Thanks for watching! That was actually a hard trip. We acerage under 2 km/hr for the entire journey, which is ridiculously slow. Those high passes take a lot of effort. Part 2 is now uploaded. Cheers.
Martyupnorth We ended up taking a heli trip up, my uncle was unfit to make the hike. It’s a hike that is definitely on my bucket list! Just about to watch part 2 now. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
This hike is much harder than it looks. We averaged under 2 km/hr when we were travelling. We did a solid 4x10 hr days to finish this hike. Day 2 was spent looking for the trail and going over deadfall. Day 3 is uphill all the way. Day 4 was down alongside a creek on a muddy trail.
@@Martyupnorth sounds like a challenge to me!! Given that I don't have 4 days, I may put this one off til next summer. Thanks for the heads up. I will find something for next weekend. 3 days and 2 nights is my goal.
We were in behind schedule so we didn't fish. That and the weather was bad. It's one of the few lakes stocked with Golden Trout in Alberta. BTW, part 2 was uploaded this morning if you want to see the scenery around the lake. Cheers.
@@Martyupnorth I was up there about 10-15 years ago, caught my first golden trout there. There are four different lakes with them and the last one on my list to hit is coral lake. Sound good il check it out!
Great trip! I grew up and continue to hike in New Zealand. Lots of fast flowing mountain rivers to cross every track. We learn when we start hiking ( Tramping ) how to cross a river safely, when in a group of two or more. Its far easier and safer to link arms and cross together. The strongest person is upstream, they can take a small step first, then the person linked to them and so on down the line. If someone stumbles you can easily pull them up. It is far far safer, give it a try.
Just this section. The only part of "E" I hadn't done was Pinto to Michelle, I've done everything else (including Maligne Pass). I convinced the guys to start at Cataract because I wanted to see the pictograms that we missed last year. I'm done with this section for a while. Michelle to the parking lot is definitely not a segment I like.
@@MattyOutdoors My craziest hiking story occurred there. I quartered a lady ranger's dead horse on the trail so that a helicopter could pick it up and carry it over to the next valley. Must have been '96 or '97.
Yes sir Marty "WoW"!!!! This hike just keeps giving amazing everything. Question, Do the mountain streams continue to flow throughout the year? Can't wait for part 2. Y'all take care bud..
Hey Marty, was wondering if you have a recommendations for a sleeping bag/rating for kanaskis area for early to mid October, I’m in the sask prairies but have only camped berta/bc in summer. Thanks, loving the channel.
It's a few degrees above freezing. Almost all mountain lakes are fed by melting ice, so they stay very cold well into late summer. I was cold. I only went in long enough to "wash". I didn't play in the water.
I haven't been on section A or B since the 1990s. It's not a very scenic section. That said, it's supposedly all clear. The GDT is getting a lot of attention these days. Dozens of people thru hike the trail every year, and thousands hike various sections. The volunteer association and the parks are aware of this, and are doing a better job of maintaining the trail. I use maps all the time. I use them for planning and for navigating on the trail. I bring a GPS on some hikes, but it's mostly used as a time management tool, rather than for pure navigation.
Your first camp, was that just a random spot? Or a Parks spot that needs a reservation? Did you start at Nigel Pass for any particular reason? You mentioned the distance was about 55km, is that once you’re on the GDT or did that include the trail in from Nigel Pass trailhead? Thanks! I’m looking at doing this same route this summer but only have three days. Was thinking of heading North and getting to Pinto Lake on the first night to get a big chunk of distance done early.
Yes, the first spot is random camping just outside the national park. We were in the P.L.U.Z. Some people camp just before cataract pass, which is illegal. I live nearby, and I've hiked a lot in this area. I just choose to travel in different direction depending on my mood. Owen Creek to Pinto in one day is doable if you're in good shape, and the trail is dry. It's the direction most GDT thru hikers travel, but it's definitely not easy. There's a lot of places where you'll lose the trail between Pinto and Cataract pass. Total distance, trailhead to trailhead is 57 km. Here's the revised CalTopo (caltopo.com/m/Q5J5). It's not an actual GPS track, it's my route traced over the satellite imagery, based on my recollection.
Crazy you are at the same elevation where Pine trees cannot grow in the eastern Sierras. But for the opposite reason. Even Wyoming has sagebrush at 2,400 m.
I should mention that this is definitely not an easy hike. Day 2 required some trail finding in the morning and a lot of walking over deadfall. The area around the confluence of Cataract Creek and Cline Creek is confusing. I did this hike last year and my boots were soaking wet. Matty and I called it the "Cataract Creek Boogie". Day 3 has you cresting two very high passes. Big elevation gains followed by big loss. Day 4 is downhill all the way, on a never-ending muddy trail along Owen Creek. And then there's the issue of vehicle logistics. It's worth doing, as it is so spectacular, but the work to reward ration is very very high. And, we walked 10 hours every day, so it took us 40 hrs to cover 55 km, making this the slowest paced hike I've ever done (and it's not because I'm getting old).
Awesome! That river going into the cave was super cool. Big congratulations to the gent that hadn’t been out before.
We pushed him hard, and he prevailed. A real trooper.
Great hike you are so blessed to have such beautiful country to hike in.And close
Thanks
I agree. Cheers.
Thank you for your videos. I went to Cataract pass from Nigel for a day hike - amazing! Met only backpackers there)
wonderful video - my wife and I worked from home all day and looked forward to watching this. Canadian Rockies are so beautifully rugged! End of day camp food looked pretty good too...
Food with Evan is always amazing. He's so creative. I call him the "Mad genius". Cheers.
Absolutely amazing footage. Without seeing the video you wouldn't be able to visualise the hike. With the snow still in certain areas it must be cold yet it looked warm with the sunshine and you guys in tee shits 👍👍
We're accustomed to this kind of weather.
Stunning
It really is! You have to work hard for these views. HArder than most trails. It's becoming more popular because people are discovering the GDT. The trail needs a lot of maintenance and some basic signage.
Great video. I heard about that trip from my friend Gord. He said you were a scholar and a gentleman. Great job.
Say hi to him for me. We had plans to hike together this summer, but it never worked out.
Glorious scenery. I was sore after hiking today but I felt more sore watching you all. Brandon did amazing. Oh, black bear, front, slipped some, I’d say.
Welcome back, it's been a while since I've had a comment from you. Brendo was amazing on this trip. We pushed him hard. Cheers.
You weren't kidding when you said the scenery changes every 500 m. Wow. Simply, wow.
Part 2 was uploaded this morning.
Awesome area for backpacking. I absolutely love that scenery. Some of those water crossings were deep!! Good views and good friends and good food always equals a great time. Cool video Marty!!
Thanks for watching! That was actually a hard trip. We acerage under 2 km/hr for the entire journey, which is ridiculously slow. Those high passes take a lot of effort. Part 2 is now uploaded. Cheers.
We took the “shortcut” up to fish Michelle lakes last year for my dad’s bday. Beautiful lake! Hoping to make that hike next summer!
Which shortcut is that? Or are you being a little sarcastic? Cheers. BTW, part 2 was uploaded this morning.
Martyupnorth We ended up taking a heli trip up, my uncle was unfit to make the hike. It’s a hike that is definitely on my bucket list!
Just about to watch part 2 now. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
Your up early Marty. Maybe I will do this trek next weekend. 55km isn’t to bad. Looks like a great time.
This hike is much harder than it looks. We averaged under 2 km/hr when we were travelling. We did a solid 4x10 hr days to finish this hike. Day 2 was spent looking for the trail and going over deadfall. Day 3 is uphill all the way. Day 4 was down alongside a creek on a muddy trail.
@@Martyupnorth sounds like a challenge to me!! Given that I don't have 4 days, I may put this one off til next summer. Thanks for the heads up. I will find something for next weekend. 3 days and 2 nights is my goal.
Did I hear you say you are going to fish at Michelle? Can't wait for that if so! What an amazing looking adventure.
We were in behind schedule so we didn't fish. That and the weather was bad. It's one of the few lakes stocked with Golden Trout in Alberta. BTW, part 2 was uploaded this morning if you want to see the scenery around the lake. Cheers.
@@Martyupnorth I was up there about 10-15 years ago, caught my first golden trout there. There are four different lakes with them and the last one on my list to hit is coral lake. Sound good il check it out!
Awesome, rugged terrain. Looks like warm days and cold nights.
Yes indeed! I've seen major snow in the mountains in July and August. Always have to be prepared.
Is that the Cataract Campsite (per FarOut) at your 1044? is it easy to stay on the trail (when no snow) up to that point from Nigel?
Yes and yes. I've been on this section 3 times in the last 5 years, and it's all good.
Great trip! I grew up and continue to hike in New Zealand. Lots of fast flowing mountain rivers to cross every track. We learn when we start hiking ( Tramping ) how to cross a river safely, when in a group of two or more. Its far easier and safer to link arms and cross together. The strongest person is upstream, they can take a small step first, then the person linked to them and so on down the line. If someone stumbles you can easily pull them up. It is far far safer, give it a try.
Very cool. Part 2 was uploaded this morning. Cheers from Canada.
Did you guys do the full section E? Or just Cataract to Michelle?
Just this section. The only part of "E" I hadn't done was Pinto to Michelle, I've done everything else (including Maligne Pass). I convinced the guys to start at Cataract because I wanted to see the pictograms that we missed last year. I'm done with this section for a while. Michelle to the parking lot is definitely not a segment I like.
@@Martyupnorth Maligne Pass is my fav portion of section E. Loved hiking through there
@@MattyOutdoors My craziest hiking story occurred there. I quartered a lady ranger's dead horse on the trail so that a helicopter could pick it up and carry it over to the next valley. Must have been '96 or '97.
Yes sir Marty "WoW"!!!! This hike just keeps giving amazing everything. Question, Do the mountain streams continue to flow throughout the year? Can't wait for part 2. Y'all take care bud..
The streams are already drying up. In winter, all but the biggest rivers and creeks will be frozen.
Hey Marty, was wondering if you have a recommendations for a sleeping bag/rating for kanaskis area for early to mid October, I’m in the sask prairies but have only camped berta/bc in summer. Thanks, loving the channel.
Expect snow and -10C at night in the Rockies in mid-October. Check out my Elk Lakes video from last October for an idea of what to expect.
How cold is that lake? You don't look like your freezing.
It's a few degrees above freezing. Almost all mountain lakes are fed by melting ice, so they stay very cold well into late summer. I was cold. I only went in long enough to "wash". I didn't play in the water.
Awesome lightening capture, and I can feel the burn of those ascents through my iPad!!!
Did you find the owner of the random backpack?
Never did learn who owned that pack.
Hey Marty! Have you done section A +B? If so was it before or after 2017 fire closure? Do you use GPS or maps?
I haven't been on section A or B since the 1990s. It's not a very scenic section. That said, it's supposedly all clear. The GDT is getting a lot of attention these days. Dozens of people thru hike the trail every year, and thousands hike various sections. The volunteer association and the parks are aware of this, and are doing a better job of maintaining the trail. I use maps all the time. I use them for planning and for navigating on the trail. I bring a GPS on some hikes, but it's mostly used as a time management tool, rather than for pure navigation.
hi friend watch and like full ,.,.
Thank you so much.
Your first camp, was that just a random spot? Or a Parks spot that needs a reservation? Did you start at Nigel Pass for any particular reason? You mentioned the distance was about 55km, is that once you’re on the GDT or did that include the trail in from Nigel Pass trailhead? Thanks! I’m looking at doing this same route this summer but only have three days. Was thinking of heading North and getting to Pinto Lake on the first night to get a big chunk of distance done early.
Yes, the first spot is random camping just outside the national park. We were in the P.L.U.Z. Some people camp just before cataract pass, which is illegal. I live nearby, and I've hiked a lot in this area. I just choose to travel in different direction depending on my mood. Owen Creek to Pinto in one day is doable if you're in good shape, and the trail is dry. It's the direction most GDT thru hikers travel, but it's definitely not easy. There's a lot of places where you'll lose the trail between Pinto and Cataract pass. Total distance, trailhead to trailhead is 57 km. Here's the revised CalTopo (caltopo.com/m/Q5J5). It's not an actual GPS track, it's my route traced over the satellite imagery, based on my recollection.
Crazy you are at the same elevation where Pine trees cannot grow in the eastern Sierras. But for the opposite reason. Even Wyoming has sagebrush at 2,400 m.