Skoki Trip

Upper Skoki Lake with Pika Peak

Have you ever woken up then realized you’ve reached an important milestone in any of your relationships? I did – two weeks ago was my 5th anniversary with Mr. Bean. How did that happen? I guess time flies when you’re having fun!

Mr. Bean and I Hiking In

To celebrate, we went out to Skoki Lodge in Banff National Park in behind Lake Louise Ski Area. My mom and I backpacked in the area last year – we visited the lodge for tea to dry off after a huge thunderstorm. The funny thing is that it started raining (albeit much lighter than last year) in about the same spot. Fortunately, we didn’t have to hide under a tarp and we got to the lodge before it really started raining.

Ptarmigan Lake (Click to View Larger Pano Shots)

Mr. Bean and Ptarmigan Lake

It’s incredibly beautiful up there – wonderful meadows, great views of mountains and turquoise lakes.

View toward Skoki Lakes

On the second day, we hiked up toward Merlin Ridge. Poor Mr. Bean was sick, so he went back to the Lodge before the lake, but I kept hiking up with a group of ladies who were also staying at the Lodge up to Merlin Ridge.

Mr. Bean and I with Merlin Ridge and Mt. Richardson in the Background

Merlin Castle on the Way up to Merlin Ridge

Merlin Lake – Mt. Richardson is in the background – I totally climbed it last year!

Looking down the Merlin Valley toward where Skoki Lodge is.

Hiking toward Merlin Ridge with the Ladies we met at the Lodge

It was really great to get some perspective on the Mountain that I climbed last year – Mt. Richardson. 10,000+ ft is really quite high!

View from Merlin Ridge toward Merlin Lake – Mt. Richardson on the right.

At the Top of Merlin Ridge

Me and Mt. Richardson from Merlin Ridge

The Ladies I Hiked Up With

Mt. Richardson with a Cairn

Overall, it was a great trip – excellent food, good company and beautiful hikes despite the periodic rain.

Mr. Bean and I in front of Skoki Lodge

A “Fork in the Trail”

On the way out, we hiked past the Skoki Lakes we saw on the way in on the way to Packer’s Pass. It included a bit of scrambling through this cliff band, which was kind of scary but fun! I’m really glad that it wasn’t raining during it and that we were going up not down.

Mr. Bean looking over the cliff we climbed.

Our Scramble up the cliff to the Skoki Lakes

Lower Skoki Lake

Upper Skoki Lake

Mr. Bean Scaling Packers Pass

View Toward Ptarmigan Lake from Packer’s Pass

Have you taken any interesting trips lately?