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2023 was the Travel Year. Over 5 months were spent outside Canada; Feb - April in South America and Oct - Dec in Southwest US. As such more than half of Log Entries below are International Trips. Highly anticipated Patagonia lived to its billing, although inability to hike famous Mirador Las Torres due to trail closure was major disappointment. This was compensated by out-of-this-world Laguna Torre with view of iconic Cerro Torre on El Chalten week, easily one of Top 10 Hikes of my life. US Part included extended visit of Yosemite National Park as well as in-depth exploration of awesome Sedona Red Rock Landscapes. Wildfire smoke filled Rockies summertime was focused on Kananaskis Highwood, with only backpack to Turbine Creek in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Top 3 Hikes of the Year:
Having spent so much time on the Road not all Trips have detail Reports but representative Photo is always linked in leftmost column. Feel free to contact me if you need more Information. |
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| Trip | Date | Section | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raven's End | Jan 6 | Canadian Rockies :: Canmore / Bow Valley | Hard packed surface. Trail partially re-routed with many signs. Full Report |
| Castle Lookout | Jan 20 | Canadian Rockies :: Banff - Louise | Ever lovely views of Bow Valley. Hard packed trail. Full Report |
| McConnel Ridge | Jan 25 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Turned back at Ridge start. Icy trail. Full report |
| Cerro Campanario | Feb 4 | International :: Patagonia (Bariloche) | First Hike in Patagonia to Fab Nahuel Huapi Viewpoint |
| Lago Gutierrez | Feb 5 | International :: Patagonia (Bariloche) | Explored west side of Lake Gutierrez incl. Cascada de Los Duendes and Playa Menoz |
| Cerro Otto | Feb 6 | International :: Patagonia (Bariloche) | Teleferico up, hiked back to Bariloche |
| Cathedral - Frey Traverse | Feb 7 | International :: Patagonia (Bariloche) | 1-way high alpine scramble with fantastic views! |
| Tierra Del Fuego | Feb 22 | International :: Patagonia (Ushuaia) | Hito XXIV trail to Chile border, then Bahia Lapataia. Fabulous Beagle Channel Rainbow! |
| Ojo Del Albino | Feb 24 | International :: Patagonia (Ushuaia) | Hard scramble to alpine cirque draining Ojo Albino glacier into Laguna Esmeralda. Overall one of best trips, ever |
| Filo Point | Feb 26 | International :: Patagonia (Ushuaia) | Martial Glacier area. Fab Beagle Channel Panorama! |
| W Circuit | Mar 3-6 | International :: Patagonia (Torres Del Paine) | Overnight in Refugios. Amazing Cuernos and Glaciar Grey |
| Mirador de Los Condores | Mar 9 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | Easy loop above Parks Headquarters. Very windy |
| Laguna Capri | Mar 10 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | First part of Laguna de Los Tres Trail. Cloudy |
| Laguna Torre | Mar 11 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | Maestri Viewpoint. Fantastic views of iconic Cerro Torre |
| Chorillo Del Salto | Mar 12 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | Final Rio de Las Cascadas drop. Short walk from El Chalten |
| Madre y Hija | Mar 13 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | Alpine valley between Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre, for ~20km loop. Peaceful Lakes, Fitz Roy still hidden |
| Loma del Pliegue Tombado | Mar 14 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | Classic. Fitz Roy and aerial of Laguna Torre glacial valley |
| Laguna De Los Tres / Laguna Sucia | Mar 16 | International :: Patagonia (El Chalten) | Gong show for Los Tres, but then awesome exploratory hard route to rarely visited Sucia for a very long day |
| Perito Moreno Glacier | Mar 18 | International :: Patagonia (El Calafate) | Tourist Platform walk on a rare Patagonic bluebird. One of most awesome places I've seen in my life |
| Mt. Aconcagua | Mar 23 | International :: Patagonia (Mendoza) | Confluencia Day Trip - First camp on Horcones climbing route |
| Cerro Cristobal | Mar 29 | International :: Chile | 3rd highest hill in Santiago with landmark Statue of Immaculate Conception on top |
| Rano Kau | Apr 8 | International :: Easter Island | Fantastic bluebird hike at Rim of Rano Kau on South side of the Island |
| Poike | Apr 9 | International :: Easter Island | North side Volcano with panorama of entire Island. Brush fire earlier in the day |
| Miners Peak | May 3 | Canadian Rockies :: Canmore / Bow Valley | First post-Patagonia Hike. Some slippery slush, ridge mostly dry. Full report |
| McConnell Point - Razor Edge | May 5 | Canadian Rockies :: Canmore / Bow Valley | Explored west ridge ascent, then looped down via Razor Trail |
| Mount Lady MacDonald | May 12 | Canadian Rockies :: Canmore / Bow Valley | Summit Ridge East End for aerial views of Cougar north. Trail still closed lower down, helipad gone. Full Lady Mac Page |
| Traverse of Yamnuska | May 30 | Canadian Rockies :: Canmore / Bow Valley | Old fave loop, total solitude. New west col trail |
| Banff Sundance | Jun 5 | Canadian Rockies :: Banff - Louise | Cycle Cave&Basin to Sundance Canyon, then Vermillion Lakes/Legacy/Bow Valley Parkway |
| East Athabasca Ridge | Jun 8 | Canadian Rockies :: Icefields | Easy Scramble above Parker Ridge |
| Hwy40 Cycle + Rae Glacier | Jun 13 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Cycle from K-Lakes gate to Elbow Lake Trailhead, then hike to Rae Glacier. Got soaked on return, but great ride |
| Cascade Falls | Jun 22 | Canadian Rockies :: Banff - Louise | Short trail to Falls base followed by hike to climbing walls above Banff Airstrip |
| Rae Lake to Sheep Lakes | Jun 23 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Terrific exploratory hike in Tombstone area. Rarely visited Sheep Lakes |
| Armor Peak | July 2 | Canadian Rockies :: Banff - Louise | Old Baker Mine trail, scramble to Protection Mtn then ridgewalk to north end. Only 2nd ascent of 2023. Fab Wonder Valley, but very long day |
| Quartzite Col | July 8 | Canadian Rockies :: Icefields | Exploratory trip to check infamous Siffluer Wilderness crossover route |
| Cloudline | July 20 | Canadian Rockies :: Canmore / Bow Valley | New MTB Trail below Little Sister |
| Buller Loop / Red Peak | July 26 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Terrific 2 passes loop + easy scramble. Windy |
| Kidd Creek | Aug 4 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Drainage to Mt. Kidd Cliffs. Waterfalls dry. Followed Animal trail to great Spoon Needle viewpoint |
| Grizzly / Highwood Ridges | Aug 11 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Terrific Loop scramble via rarely visited Paradise Valley |
| Mount Lipsett | Aug 14 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Fairly long walk below treeline followed by great alpine meadows. Smoky |
| Kananaskis Lookout | Aug 23 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Forest Road walk, best cycled or skied. Storm clouds lifted on top revealing great views |
| Nameless (Eagle) Ridge | Aug 25 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Terrific Ridgewalk in South Highwood. Alternate descent with mild bushwhack |
| Totem Creek | Aug 28 | Canadian Rockies :: Icefields | Recon to scout terrain for Future Trips. Turned back at Lower Totem Lake Headwall |
| Fossil Falls | Sep 1 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Bushwhack off Aster Trail to Fossil Base. Hidden Lake super dry |
| Black Prince Lakes | Sep 11 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Beautiful Hanging Valley below Warspite/Black Prince. First Larch color change, Lakes reduced to small puddle |
| Turbine Basecamp | Sep 14-15 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Explored North Kananaskis Pass and Haig Alpine Basin from Turbine Campground on gorgeous early Fall bluebird |
| Odlum Ridge | Sep 21 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Strenuous approach with River Ford, Alder bash and steep slopes below treeline. Turned back at East Summit |
| Barrier Lake Hills | Sep 29 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Chased by snow storm from Highwood stopped at Barrier Lake for few hrs undemanding walk to check out Autumn Colours |
| Little Arethusa | Oct 5 | Canadian Rockies :: Kananaskis | Terrific easy Highwood Ascent. Prime Larch conditions |
| Skoki Mountain | Oct 9 | Canadian Rockies :: Banff - Louise | Long Day trip from Highway on perfect Indian summer bluebird |
| Fallen Leaf Lake | Oct 28 | USA :: Lake Tahoe | Quick Jaunt to Lakeshore above Fallen Leaf Campground. Great Reflections of Mt. Talac |
| Cleaver Peak | Oct 28 | USA :: Lake Tahoe | Easy scramble on solid granite past end of Cascade Falls trail |
| Monkey Rock | Oct 28 | USA :: Lake Tahoe | 3rd short hike of the day to scenic overlook of Tahoe basin |
| Tenaya Lake | Oct 29 | USA :: Yosemite | Quick loop around Tenaya Lake on Tioga drive to West Yosemite Base |
| Panorama Trail | Oct 30 | USA :: Yosemite | Fab Highline Traverse from Glacier Point to Junction with John Muir Trail above Nevada Falls |
| Mirror Lake | Oct 31 | USA :: Yosemite | Day of Yosemite Valley exploration with afternoon walk to dried out Mirror Lake |
| Cathedral Lakes | Nov 1 | USA :: Yosemite | Fantastic Sierra Nevada Alpine with 2 picture perfect Lakes |
| Vernal - Nevada Falls | Nov 2 | USA :: Yosemite | Classic Yosemite Valley Loop. Waterfalls barely trickling |
| Clouds Rest | Nov 3 | USA :: Yosemite | One of best viewpoints I've seen in my life including not commonly viewed Half Dome angle |
| Mariposa Grove | Nov 4 | USA :: Yosemite | Quick walk among Giant Sequoias to Grizzly Giant Tree |
| Giant Forest Grove | Nov 5 | USA :: Sequoia - Kings Canyon | Few hours walk among giant Sequoias after quick hike up Morro Rock and Visit to General Sherman Tree |
| Grant Grove | Nov 6 | USA :: Sequoia - Kings Canyon | Exploring Grant Grove on cloudy Day in Kings Canyon |
| Desolation Canyon | Nov 8 | USA :: Death Valley | Quick afternoon hike up a wash near Artist Palette. Two scramble steps and great Badwater Basin Views |
| Dante's Ridge / Mt. Perry | Nov 9 | USA :: Death Valley | Terrific Ridgewalk from Dante's View to Mt. Perry Highpoint |
| Toadstools | Nov 11 | USA :: Kanab - Page | Awesome Hoodoo Rock Formations accessed via ~2km shallow wash ~50km east of Kanab |
| Nautilus | Nov 11 | USA :: Kanab - Page | 2nd short hike of the day to awesome Sea Shell like Rock Formation |
| Widforss Point | Nov 12 | USA :: Grand Canyon | Repeat North Rim Hike to Fantastic Viewpoint in Total Solitude |
| Dinosaur Trail | Nov 13 | USA :: Kanab - Page | Short Steep Trail to Rock Plateau with Dino Foot Prints |
| Moqui Sand Caves | Nov 13 | USA :: Kanab - Page | Light Slickrock scramble to old Sand Mine Caverns |
| Bryce Loop | Nov 14 | USA :: Bryce Canyon | Loop linking Queens Garden, Peekaboo and Bryce Point Trails with return via Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point |
| Lick Wash | Nov 15 | USA :: Kanab - Page | Expored Rarely visited Slot Canyon north of Kanab in total solitude. Access via ~15km gravel road drive |
| Emerald Pools | Nov 16 | USA :: Zion National Park | Loop via Kayenta Trial as Virgin Bridge by Zion Lodge was closed. On return walked Zion road from Grotto to Temple of Sinawava |
| Buckskin Gulch | Nov 17 | USA :: Kanab - Page | Out-of-this-world Slot Canyon; second time around. Very rough House Rock Road |
| Courthouse Butte | Nov 20 | USA :: Sedona | Late afternoon loop. Traditional first hike in Sedona |
| Devil's Bridge | Nov 21 | USA :: Sedona | Approach via Chuckwagon Trail from Dry Creek 2WD Parking. Ultra busy. Nice Secret Wilderness viewpoint 10min past trail end |
| Chapel Loop | Nov 22 | USA :: Sedona | Linking Little Horse, Broken Arrow and Hog Wash trails for loop around Christianity Peaks behind Sedona Chapel |
| Baldwin Trail | Nov 24 | USA :: Sedona | Quick Rainy Afternoon 4km loop south of Cathedral Rock |
| Hiline / Cathedral Loop | Nov 25 | USA :: Sedona | Self designed loop around Cathedral Rock utilizing segments of several trails. Best hike I've done in Sedona by margin |
| Fay Canyon | Nov 27 | USA :: Sedona | Fay Arch and West branch past Trail End |
| Oak Creek West Fork | Nov 28 | USA :: Sedona | Turned back at Subway. Excellent Photo ops! |
| Rabbit Ears | Dec 1 | USA :: Sedona | Unique Rock Spire in Munds Wilderness. Loop return via Little Rock and Big Park loop. Cold |
| Transept To Cathedral | Dec 2 | USA :: Sedona | Transept to Hiline then off trail to Cathedral Base and class 3 Col Scramble |
| Munds Wagon - Hangover Loop | Dec 4 | USA :: Sedona | Advanced Slickrock Route with Fab Views. Lost trail at Backside - watch for white paint blazes! |
| Airport Loop | Dec 6 | USA :: Sedona | Brewer Road Start with Table Top Side Trip |
| Secret Slickrock | Dec 7 | USA :: Sedona | Standard Crescent Moon Loop. Great Oak Creek Photo ops |
| Bear Mountain | Dec 8 | USA :: Sedona | Easy/Moderate scramble from Boynton Pass. Quintessential Northern Arizona Wilderness |
| Margs Draw | Dec 9 | USA :: Sedona | Quick afternoon stroll. Fab slickrock below Snoopy Rock |
| Brins Mesa - Soldier Pass | Dec 10 | USA :: Sedona | CW Loop. Soldier Arch busy but solitude on Brins Mesa |
| Boynton Canyon | Dec 11 | USA :: Sedona | Longer version of Fay Canyon with "Vortex Vista" and Subway extensions. Moron cooking in Sinagua dwelling at Subway |
| Teacup - Sugarloaf | Dec 13 | USA :: Sedona | Chickened out at Skidrock because of exposure. Teacup OnB finishing with Sugarloaf stargazing |
| Jim Thompson - Midgley | Dec 14 | USA :: Sedona | 89a Closure allowed exploration of Midgley Bridge area in solitude. Must come back some day for Wilson south! |
| Sugarloaf - Chimney Rock | Dec 15 | USA :: Sedona | Goodbye Sedona! |
| Thumb Butte | Dec 17 | USA :: Prescott | Stiff class 4 scramble to top. Nice hiking loop |
| Watson Lake | Dec 18 | USA :: Prescott | Scenic riparian habitat and neat Dam. Happy 62! |
| Willow Lake | Dec 19 | USA :: Prescott | Short Granite Dells hike after Heritage Zoo visit |
| Granite Mountain | Dec 21 | USA :: Prescott | Trail #261 to Lookout only. Main summit much more involved |
| Camelback | Dec 24 | USA :: Phoenix | Parked at Fashion Mall, then walked to Cholla. Class 2 Rock in upper part. Iconic Social Media Zombie hike |
| Saguaro Lake
(Butcher Jones) |
Dec 25 | USA :: Phoenix | Easy walk contouring Saguaro Lake from Butcher Jones Recreation Area to Campers Cove |
| Vineyard Ridgeline | Dec 26 | USA :: Phoenix | Explored Vineyard Peak Ridge after touring Roosevelt Bridge and Tonto Cliff Dwellings National Monument |
| Flatiron | Dec 28 | USA :: Phoenix | Hard Scramble to Superstition Wilderness above Lost Dutchman State Park. Last hike of '23 |