| After two more hours we finally reached the spur trail going west from
Bell Lake to join the La Cloche Trail about 5 km further on. Now we could
move at a faster rate.
Unfortunately, Sam's wolfpack lost a buckle and my efforts to rig it up with rope were just not working. I had to leave his pack there for pick up on the way back-- I carried everything in my pack. |
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Moving in a counter-clockwise direction we loped along at a steady trot past beaver ponds and spruce forest with occasional views of the La Cloche Range and Silver Peak. Crossing the eastern side of Boundary Lake I spotted a pair of canoeists--a rare sight this early in the season. The park wasn't even officially open until May 1st. |
| Now we would move up on the ridge and as the trees grew sparse the vistas would open up. On this day the sun was warm, but the breeze was cool. Out in the open country I took off my coat, but I never got warm enough to change from my running tights to shorts. |  |
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At left is the view towards Silver Peak with the Kirk Creek watershed
below.
This trip I didn't bring a tent or a tarp. The weather forecast was for clear skies and I was willing to play the odds. For food we had beef jerky, dried fruit and Clifbars. My sleeping bag a TNF Tour 3D light weighing in at a mere 27 ounces. Rated to 35F though and the temps went down to 28F. On the positive side I had little incentive to sleep late! |