Home»All Photographs»2014 Hikes»Odlum Pond 11-08-14

Odlum Pond was my last Super-Saturday for the 2014 season. It was a fitting hike to do on my buddy Dave Odlum's birthday.
A frosty start gave me nice photo opportunities while looing for a spot to ford the Highwood River. The river was low and quite narrow in places, so rather than take off my boots, socks and pants to walk through, I jumped most of the way across...I got a little wet from the splash, but this made for a very quick, convenient crossing both times.
Once across the river, the traill was a long forested approach with minimal elevation gain to Odlum Pond. Ptarmigan, some small traps on trees, a hunters' camp and bear tracks all kept me entertained as I plodded along the trail.
About halfway to the pond, the trail became covered with granular snow and proved to add to the challenge - like walking through sand.
Odlum Pond is quite small, but in grand surroundings. Walls rear up on two sides and make for an impressive backdrop. I stayed for a quick lunch, but once I started getting chilly and noticed the deteriorating weather approaching slowly from the west, I bundled up and hiked back eight km to the Highwood River.
As for the unending bear tracks, they continued around the north side of the pond, up a headwall (binoculars) and to a steep slope near some stunted trees. Judging by the concentration of tracks in that spot, I think that's where the bear has chosen to den for the winter.