Who's Out There? Doing What?

Kokanee Provincial Park Backpack

Trip date: 08/03/2006
Reported by: Chris Thompson

Leader: Tess Foster – Backpackers: Chris Thompson, Lee Merrill, Galen Chamberlain, Laurie Morley, Jonathan
 
Being that this was the same weekend that my daughter was leaving to go away to college, the closer the time came, the more reluctant I was to go on this trip. But Kirstin (my daughter)--in all her wisdom of 18 years--put it so aptly that I would be happy I went once I got there. She was so right. The scenery was fantastic. The luxurious amenities at Kaslo Lake Campground are sure to spoil any backpacker. From the metal bear cache to the pit toilet supplied with toilet paper to the fantastic tent sites, nothing could take away from the weekend.

On the second day we hiked high into the Lemon Pass and on to Sapphire Lakes passing along the way beautiful views of Kaslo Lake and lunch at a high waterfall. Moving up closer to Lemon Pass we came along some clear, translucent pools of water beckoning us to take a dip. My hiking partners, Galen and Lee, took the plunge and I scrambled up some rocks above the pools and enjoyed the cloud free blue skies. It is one of my best memories from the trip. As we made our way over the rock fields and on to Sapphire Lakes, I got to see the best view from a Rubbermaid-like outdoor toilet I would ever lay my tushy on. It was BRILLIANT! I was definitely in heaven. But I would soon have to come down out of the sky and climb down some more rock fields making our way out following the cairns that were left to find your way down the valley back to our campsite. At this point I can actually say that I was not having too much fun. Climbing up is one thing, but scrambling over the loose rocks as you head down, had me a little nervous. But slow and steady, down and down we went and made it back to our campsite to enjoy my dinner of Spam and mashed potatoes. Spam never tasted so good.