Most participants stayed in Pincher Creek and it was a very smoky drive south to Waterton with almost no mountains visible. We organized the car shuttle and it was significantly clearer at the Camreon Lake trailhead although still smoky:

Dave takes a picture at a very calm Cameron Lake

The trail start was through an area unburnt by the Kenow Fire but it wasn't long before that ended and the only "forest" was burnt tree trunks:


Heading up to Summit Lake through the burned forest with lush undergrowth

There are now views from the trail that you couldn't see in the past:


Smoke-fog over Cameron Lake while looking west to Akamina Pass

In the past on a hot day this part of the hike had good shade coverage for the climb up the switchbacks, but that is no more. But there is a profusion of ground cover taking advantage of the now-abundant direct light:


Monkeyflower and False Hellbore (Veratrum viride) along a stream

burned to the ground near Summit Lake

At the Summit Lake junction, one participant took up the opportunity to have a refreshing swim:


Summit Lake with aquabelle; Glacier Park's Mt Chapman beyond

The aquabelle reported the bottom felt quite mucky and there may be a lot of ash that accumulated in the lake bottom in the aftermath of the fire. The ascent from there to the Carthew trail summit was a sweaty affair as it felt quite humid and there was little breeze at all. That was our lunch spot and while the distant peaks were hidden in smoke there were okay views of the nearer scenery:


lunch (and nap) at Carthew summit

Carthew Lakes. note smoke-fog in distant valley

There were lots of flowers along the descending trail (see report below) and there was another stop at Upper Carthew Lake to cool off hot feet:


Cooling feet in Upper Carthew Lake

We continued down to Alderson Lake but didn't go for a visit because there were a lot of biting flies in this area. There had been some earlier that were a bit of a nuisance. This upper part of the Carthew drainage was not burned in the Kenow fire so the shady forest was welcome as the smoke had thinned out and the sun was a lot stronger. With about 3 kilometres to go we were back in the burnt forest and finished about 4:30 where the car shuttle drivers went off to retrieve the vehicles.

Thanks to a very enjoyable group of participants, some of whom were doing this trip for the first time: Rosanne,Philip,Ron C/S/P, Bill (photos), Barbara, Photini, Dean, Brenda, Aldis, David, Shirley, Nardi, John.

Fauna report: not many animals- a speedy chipmunk, a cheeky golden mantled ground squirrel and the usual deer in the townsite. Lots and lots of butterflies, here are a few:

more butterflies

Northwestern Fritillary (Speyeria hesperis)

Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla)

Langton's Forester Moth (Alypia langtoni) - note the leg warmers

Flora report: None of the classic Waterton beargrass in bloom but lots of tufts seem to be growing so maybe next year? Lots of other flowers, here are a few:

Red Monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii)

Yellow-flowered False Dandelion (Agoseris glauca)

Silky scorpionweed (Phacelia sericia)

Yellow monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttatus)

Big Mountain Gentian (Gentiana calycosa)

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