Heimdallr Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Last Saturday I made the long drive down to Barnaby Ridge to do the hike to Southfork Lakes. I left Red Deer at around 7:30 and after a quick stop at Wholesale Sports to pick up some 7x tippet and size 18 flies (neither of which I can get in Red Deer) I arrived at the trailhead around 1:00pm. I quickly geared up and began my ascent. Absolutely beautiful hike and the incline is indeed a killer, but manageable. Unfortunately, I had to stop and stay at the first lake (I wanted to hike into the 2nd) as it started to rain shortly after I arrived and I decided to make camp and go gung-ho to the 2nd lake first thing in the morning. I also didn't get much fishing done as setting up the camp and starting a fire in the rain so that I could eat occupied most of my time before dark. I did, however, see a few risers and witness a small, but gorgeous trout swimming in the shallows. I went to sleep with it raining fairly heavily, but excited for the next day's fishing. Tragically, the gods had other plans for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heimdallr Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 I awoke to about 3 inches of snow with it still snowing very heavily. Part of me definitely wanted to fish anyway because I had travelled all this way and, well, because I'm just like that. Thankfully, rationality prevailed and I packed up camp for the hike out. Cold air had settled into the basin where the lakes are and it was uncomfortably chilly to say the least. I was also not, in the least, prepared for snow. Once I got out onto the open slope and the air was much warmer (probably around zero) the hike got much more enjoyable. The mountains looked gorgeous and the air was so crisp I almost forgot I had come for the goldens. The hike out in the snow actually ended up being my favourite part of the whole experience. Fair warning to the golden trout if they are reading this: next year, IT IS ON. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CF8 Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Wowsers! Thats a good dump of snow... Awesome pics though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedy1 Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Looks like a memorable trip. Don't forget the skis next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckCamper Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Awesome report. Half the the fun is being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jksnijders Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Nice pics. And again, that hat is badass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandi Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Well, you know "Man plans, God laughs". You didn't get those golds, but you surely got some shiny photos. For me that would do the trip, too. Fantastic images and the cloudy weather helped you avoid blow-outs and brought out the colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLeod Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Thanks for sharing. You just never know what the mountains will throw at you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Awesome; just...awesome!!! Way better story than,"Hiked to the lake, caught lots of Goldens, etc., blah, blah, blah...". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beedhead Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Awesome dude!!, Well that ya did it, sorry bout the snow man...Great pics and story!....At least ya know your way up there for next time... Cheers...Jeff.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonvilly Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Should have brought a snowboard.....combing two seasons into one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birddog Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I thought those things only happened to me!!! great pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownonbow Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Great story, hope that doesn't happen to me this weekend though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBBrownie Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 That sounds familiar to some of my golden experiences...Took the wrong trail and ended up at the wrong lakes looking for Rainy Ridge the first time. Second trip hiked to Coral Lake and it ended up being epic to say the least, snowed the entire two day hike in. They make you work for em! Luckily, my second and third ettempts were successful, try again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2O Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Wow, that must have been beautiful (yet regretfully cold) to be up there with all that snow. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captnhighliner Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 That's crazy weather. I can't imagine waking up in another season. That's why I do more day trips in Alberta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailhead Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 That is a real tough experience. I can believe that would happen up in that area. Just so you feel better I have been up there twice now and still have no goldens to show for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwell Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 epic dude!!! thanks for posting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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