Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
My multi night journey concluded with a tent site at Mystic Junction (Fm19), the second of two nights in a row in which I had entire campgrounds to myself in grizzly country.
This narration heavy episode includes a summary of the five night trip and goes in to some detail about the differences between the National Parks in Glacier Montana and Banff in regard to these aspects:
1) Food Storage
2) Route Finding
3) Berry Picking
4) Permitting
5) Crowds
The tread down Forty Mile Creek Trail was the easiest of the whole trip and not just because it was moderate downhill with a lighter pack :) This equestrian trail between Mt Norquay and the warden's cabin near Mystic Junction even had some beauty bark spread on parts of this trail as it passed Cockscomb Mountain and nearby a campground (Fm10).
Special thanks to Pascal, the park employee at the warden's cabin who donated a fuel canister to my cause after I ran out on my final morning at Banff.
According to Cleverhiker.com, "The Sawback Trail in Banff National Park is a 74 km (46 mile) traverse through the rugged and beautiful Sawback Mountain Range. Along the route, hikers climb over three spectacular passes and wind through meadows dotted with stunning alpine lakes. This trail spans a good portion of Banff National Park, stretching from the Lake Louise area to the town of Banff. With most people flocking to crowded trails on the west side of the Trans Canada Highway, this trek provides a true backcountry feel in a stunningly beautiful wilderness." For more details and photos of this area, visit:
cleverhiker.com/blog/sawback-trail-backpacking-guide-banff-national-park
Soundtrack by:
General Fuzz
"Walking Home"
Washed Out
"All Over Now"
Backpacker Diaries would like to thank George Prudhon for help with the 63k/39 mile shuttle; This logistical advantage can not be overstated!
Here are some gear choices I've used with success and can recommend:
Osprey Atmos 50 Men's Backpack:
amzn.to/2hLEBKe
Altra Men's Lone Peak 3 Running Shoe
amzn.to/2zsFsuB
Nemo Tensor 20 Sleeping Pad
amzn.to/2zhvkRv
Flash Personal Cooking System
amzn.to/2ziEL2I
I use a North Face sleeping bag very similar to this one:
amzn.to/2A1QEOo
Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner
amzn.to/2A9fvPU
My multi night journey concluded with a tent site at Mystic Junction (Fm19), the second of two nights in a row in which I had entire campgrounds to myself in grizzly country.
This narration heavy episode includes a summary of the five night trip and goes in to some detail about the differences between the National Parks in Glacier Montana and Banff in regard to these aspects:
1) Food Storage
2) Route Finding
3) Berry Picking
4) Permitting
5) Crowds
The tread down Forty Mile Creek Trail was the easiest of the whole trip and not just because it was moderate downhill with a lighter pack :) This equestrian trail between Mt Norquay and the warden's cabin near Mystic Junction even had some beauty bark spread on parts of this trail as it passed Cockscomb Mountain and nearby a campground (Fm10).
Special thanks to Pascal, the park employee at the warden's cabin who donated a fuel canister to my cause after I ran out on my final morning at Banff.
According to Cleverhiker.com, "The Sawback Trail in Banff National Park is a 74 km (46 mile) traverse through the rugged and beautiful Sawback Mountain Range. Along the route, hikers climb over three spectacular passes and wind through meadows dotted with stunning alpine lakes. This trail spans a good portion of Banff National Park, stretching from the Lake Louise area to the town of Banff. With most people flocking to crowded trails on the west side of the Trans Canada Highway, this trek provides a true backcountry feel in a stunningly beautiful wilderness." For more details and photos of this area, visit:
cleverhiker.com/blog/sawback-trail-backpacking-guide-banff-national-park
Soundtrack by:
General Fuzz
"Walking Home"
Washed Out
"All Over Now"
Backpacker Diaries would like to thank George Prudhon for help with the 63k/39 mile shuttle; This logistical advantage can not be overstated!
Here are some gear choices I've used with success and can recommend:
Osprey Atmos 50 Men's Backpack:
amzn.to/2hLEBKe
Altra Men's Lone Peak 3 Running Shoe
amzn.to/2zsFsuB
Nemo Tensor 20 Sleeping Pad
amzn.to/2zhvkRv
Flash Personal Cooking System
amzn.to/2ziEL2I
I use a North Face sleeping bag very similar to this one:
amzn.to/2A1QEOo
Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner
amzn.to/2A9fvPU
