Carthew Alderson Waterton Lakes National Park July 28, 2021

The one way hike called "Carthew Summit Alderson Lake" which begins at Cameron Lake and ends at Cameron Falls in the Waterton townsite of Waterton Lakes National Park is a trek that's been on my mind lately.  In 2011 I hiked an out & back from Cameron Lake to Carthew Lakes and last summer hiked an out & back from Cameron Falls to the ridge above Alderson Lake but I have never hiked the "Carthew Summit Alderson Lake" one way and I have always wanted to.   I have been hesitant due to it being prime grizzly territory (all of Waterton is) and also the fact with taking a shuttle to the start, you have to fully commit no matter what.  I still have it in me to grow as an adventurer and that is only going to happen if I take chances in life.  I worked through a plan of attack on how I could have a successful adventure and then made the commitment.  I booked a seat on the 7:30am shuttle from Waterton townsite which was a three minute walk from my suite.  7:30am Came and it was go time!   

It rained very early in the morning which helped with the smoke situation.  Some cloud remained.  It felt humid and there was no wind when I began hiking shortly after 8:00am from Cameron Lake.

The first destination would be Summit Lake.  Since the 2017 Kenow Wildfire (caused by lightning strikes), the views are now wide open.  I could see forever through the burnt trees so it was not necessary to be making lots of noise to announce to any bears that I was there.   The ground cover was such a lush green.

Summit Lake

After a short break at Summit Lake, it was time to climb again with the next destination being Carthew Summit which is where the orange star is.  Once again, the views were wide open where before the fire they were not.  

Where once there was a fire, fireweed will grow!  

This whole slope was covered in curved white burnt trees and fireweed.  If you follow this trail you can see where it curves around into the greenish/reddish and continues across the steep slope.  Almost near the end it switchbacks back and then up to the ridge.  The trail was narrower than I remembered which is probably due to erosion.   

I made it to the other side (whew)! 

When I felt comfortable, I stopped to look back at where I just came from.  

It is easier to see the trail from this direction.   

Now the views begin of why I wanted to trek here.  Once up on the ridge this was the view in front of me. The Carthew Lakes are down behind that red pyramid shaped mountain.  I enjoyed the stroll along the ridge before hiking up to the Carthew Summit.

a marmot enjoying the view from the ridge

I made it to Carthew Summit!  What was so unusual for here was there was not even a slight breeze.  It was hot though, thankfully there were no bugs and no smoke,  the sky began to open up and present loads of blue.  Behind me are mountains and lakes of Glacier National Park in Montana, USA.   I spent some time up here.  I could see a solo guy in the distance and when it came to  descend he was ascending.  I also crossed paths with a solo lady and her dog who were on their way to the summit.

view when I arrived back down on the ridge

view back to Montana behind me

I'm heading for that trail behind me which will lead me to where I descend to Carthew Lakes.

The trail markers to lead the way up and off the summit were orange!

from here you can see the Carthew Lakes down below

eyeing where I am headed and seeing the trail at bottom right

This was the view as I arrived at the Upper Carthew Lake.  

What an incredible place to be!  The colours and the views were blowing my mind! The trail conditions were perfect and the weather was ideal yet a little on the hot side.  I had come prepared for bugs but still there were none to deal with.  The air was fresh and clean.  The wildflowers were in abundance and were such a delight to see against the red ground.  While hiking along here, a solo runner came along, he was too fast to exchange pleasantries with.

That's the Lower Carthew Lake which is my next destination, then I need to hike around it and aim for the ridge in the middle behind the lake. The beauty offered alone between here and there was outstanding. 

flower lined trail

waterfalls

stepping stones over the creek

stone lined trail around the Lower Carthew Lake

I arrived on the ridge above the Lower Lake and took a break here to refuel.  

The next section of the trek would take me down off the ridge and into that bowl.  

The wildflowers were plentiful descending along this route.

Glacier Lily

Paintbrush

view behind me

view ahead of me

I reached the alpine meadow and took yet another break.

young male mountain sheep

As you can see from my hair, a bit of a breeze began!  It did not last long though.  It was scorching hot, yet still no bugs nor smoke.  That's Alderson Lake below me and that is my next destination to get to.  You can see a trail through the meadow in the middle below me. 

arriving near Alderson Lake

I did not go to see Alderson Lake. I had been before and you cannot get close enough to get an overall view of the whole thing.  I decided to get on with the next seven kilometres which would be through the forest with an understanding that it was over grown.  I took this one last photo before heading into the forest.

I made it through the over grown part which had not burned during the wildfire.  There are no views through that section.  Then came the area that burned.  Once again the views begin where before the fire there were none.  The fireweed is out of this world beautiful against the burnt trees and surrounded by the green lush vegetation.  One thing I learned from the shuttle driver is there is no bear grass this season.  The long unusual hot stretch in June hindered its growth.

view along the trail

another section of lush overgrown vegetation 

from devastation grows beauty

When I rounded a corner and saw the townsite of Waterton, I knew I only had a couple of kilometres to go.  I was so thankful for that!  I was a hot tired mess!  I now let my mind wonder to the beers and bear claws waiting for me.  

I arrived at Cameron Falls feeling jubilant!  From here it was a fifteen minute walk to my suite.  I stopped here long enough to capture this photo then made my way through the streets of Waterton with a wide smile and feeling like a conqueror.   

Today played out perfectly!  I stuck with my plan of attack of keeping it a safe and enjoyable trek!  I feel like I took a step forward with my confidence level while being "out & about"!  I also proved to myself that you are never too old to grow as adventurer!   What a fabulous way to celebrate my birthday!