A group of 8 participants converged on Golden, BC on Sept. 4th to helicopter into Amiskwi Lodge, in the Rocky Mountains just north of the northern border of Yoho Park.
This was a self-catered, self-guided trip. Amenities at the lodge included a fully appointed kitchen with propane stove and oven, freezers on the front entrace deck, and coolers inside, indoor composting toilets, two wood burning stoves in the dining area and sunroom and comfortable beds and bunk beds. There was a separate building with a sauna, and hot water to fill large watering cans to use in the showers and a kiddies pool outside to cool off in which was enjoyed by most of us every night~!
Folks paired up to cook dinner for the entire group twice in the week and made their own breakfasts and lunches. Dinners were outstanding and most were enjoyed on the large deck with a stunning view to the Mummery Glacier. Although the week started with some smoke from a fire nearby in the Blaeberry Valley, a rain, thunder and lightening storm on Sunday night cleared out about 85% of the smoke so that our hikes later in the week had much clearer and further views.
On the Saturday the entire group hiked south along a rocky plateau to Amiskwi Lake (1st photo below) and a second unnamed lake (2nd photo below) just over a small ridge from Amiskwi Lake. As it was a hot day dips were happily enjoyed in both gorgeous blue and blue green lakes by many of the group.
On Sunday through Wednesday smaller groups formed to hike to multiple locations. Jenny & Ian were especially interested in hiking sections of the Great Divide Trail both below the lodge in the forest and the alternate route above the lodge and did several days checking out the condition of the trail, since Jenny was one of the original planners/creators of this incredible trail~! One highlight on one of those hikes down the valley to a confluence of the Amiskwi River with another was this great view up to a waterfall that poured out of Amiskwi Lake.
Many hiked up to Crystal Ridge, the obvious ridge above the lodge, on various sections and via different routes, to obtain expansive and stunning 360 views. The routes up proved to be geologically super fascinating and we wished we had a geologist with us to explain the great variety of layered (1st photo below), blockish and fossilized rocks. Even though it was late in the summer there were still small flowering plants blooming here and there as well ! You could spend hours and days wandering these different plateau levels above the lodge checking out the rock formations. The colours in the crushed rock along Crsytal ridge going north were particularily beautiful (2nd photo below) as were the views south into Yoho Park showcasing Mont Des Poilus and Arete Peak (3rd photo below).
On one day Roger, George and Rachel ventured further afield, down the steep valley, past the GDT, and up to the area north of Hagen NE2 Peak, where they found lovely meadows with pasque flowers in their hippie stage and berries bushes showing off their fall colours. Many blueberries, grouse berries, and other berries, were still edible and delicious both in the valleys and on the mid plateaus! They found another appealing lake north of Hagen and then they travelled up to a higher ridge that had amazing views down the Blaeberry Valley and up to the Mummery Glacier.
They were so impressed with this area that they convinced the whole group to try a longer variation of this trip on Thursday. The route again descended into the valley to the end of a logging road, then up the other side and trending left, up to a meadowy plateau (referred to as the “golf course” by the lodge owner). There we paused for a snack at a view spot back over to the lodge. From there we ascended a steep meadowy hill, and turned right to hike along an open rocky ridge with trees on the left. Eventually we popped over to the left above the trees and down the other side of the ridge to an open rocky bowl. Here is a group shot in that area looking south.
We traversed higher on this bowl to head up a loose rocky draw to a col on the right side of, what I believe, was Hagen NE2 Peak. That was a grunt but well worth the view from the col. Our lunch spot there gave us a view down to the small lake, ridges above it and the Mummery Glacier behind those ridges (photo below).
After our break at the col, we carefully picked our way down the loose rocky slope to the shore of the lake for another very cold dip, had by all of the hardy crew! Then we worked our way along the small ridge on the right of the lake and up the ridge behind the lake to take in the views to the Blaeberry Valley and ever present Mummery Glacier. Our descent went via the higher col into the greenery on the far left of the photo above, into the high meadows, then the trees below and eventually back up the brutally steep trail to the lodge. After a 10 hour day out, most of our reserves were quite depleted after a full week of hiking, but we all made it back in one peice and agreed that this was the best day of the trip!! What a day to end off on 
We were blessed with a few great wildlife encounters. Many Columbia ground squirrels lived in the meadows close to the lodge, we spyed mountain goats on several of the days, a shy porcupine was discovered on our last big day (shyly trying to hide his head behind a rock), a resident raven pair accompanied us in the high places and many lovely birds were spotted in the trees surrounding the three decks at the lodge.
This was truly a fantastic week of, mostly, off trail exploration in a truly diverse and stunning area. I can say wholeheartedly, that a good time was had by all, some boundaries were pushed now and then, but no one came out worse for the wear! Sadly no weight was lost due to the huge and delicious meals. Thanks to our host Gary for providing such an amazing place to stay and for some good stories! I would highly recommend Amiskwi Lodge and this area for a place to hike (and ski in the winter).
Participants: Rachel, George, Leona, Nicole, Jenny & Ian, Peggy & Roger
