PNT Day 2: Stoney Indian Pass Trl to Waterton

Daily Miles: 14.1, Total Miles: 26.8

I left Glenns Lake and headed up Stoney Indian Pass Trail paralleling the Mokowanis River with Pyramid Peak a prominent feature.

From pretty Atsina Lake, stunning waterfalls and cascades galore!

A relatively steep uphill to Stoney Indian Pass was made more challenging by “wading” through 5′ plus tall green bushes, some with ripe thimbleberries. The vegetation was so thick at times, I couldn’t see my feet. Over the pass, I made my way down to Stoney Indian Lake and met a young hiker couple swimming in the lake who claimed the temperature was “around 45 degrees”, their teeth not even chattering. I declined an invitation to join them because I only swim in a minimum of 65 degrees.

I made my way north down Waterton Valley all the way to the Waterton/Goat Haunt Ranger Station on the southern shore of Waterton Lake. This was supposed to be my destination on my 2017 CDT hike but was detoured to Chief Mountain because Waterton Village in Canada was being evacuated due to wildfires. I had a rest at the gazebo, stocked up on water and took advantage of phone service to touch base with Mrs Haze. I hung around long enough to be asked again to see my backcountry permit.

I camped at the nearby Waterton River backcountry campground and had it, somewhat surprisingly all to myself. I unfortunately discovered my Sawyer Squeeze was all gummed up, should have backflushed it after my Desert Winter Thru-Hike this past winter. I took advantage of a mini-dropper bottle of Chlorox I carry as a backup.

All in all, a beautiful day of hiking despite wet feet from fording streams where bridges had been washed out earlier this season, fortunately only ankle deep.