Backpacking with an overnight with Nick !! Forks Campground near Upper Lakes Kananaskis

What a great experience, not only it was my first overnight in the mountains, but I was able to do it with my 9 years old boy !!! he was all over that experience, he was out exploring, filtering water, doing the dishes, cooking, making a fire pit, you name it, that kid is a ranger !!

We found a relatively easy hike (8.6 kms one way) with under 300mts elevation. Booked a site and headed out there mid morning. We drove from home about 2 hours, parked at Upper Lakes and started the adventure. He was able to carry his backpack (20lbs) all the way, I was able to carry a larger one with everything else we needed.

The hike starts around the lake and after passing a few rocky sections it becomes a nice but rooty single track, with creeks, bridges, and a beautiful scenery. 

We took our time and walk and talk at an easy pace. Half way through we stopped to grab a bite to eat, have a sandwich and filter some water to continue on.

Because it our first trip, we decided to bring a variety of food, we brought a little stove, mac and cheese, sandwiches, snacks, etc (we could/should have brought more..).

When we finally arrive to the Forks Campground, we found a spot (number 13), set up the tent and lay down with our shoes off for at least 20 minutes ! contemplating the beauty and enjoying a nice and relax well deserve rest.

After that, we walk around the area for a quick recon of the Forks. Hiked up a weather station, scramble a bit, and headed out to the common fire pit area. After picking up and collecting firewood, we started a nice fire, soon enough we had a few people joining us on the fire. As the sun started to come down, it was starting to cool down and we had to put on our jackets. We prepared dinner, chat with some other campers and when it was dark headed out to bed.

Nick was very excited (and so was I). After playing around and chat about our day, we finally felt sleep. We have -7c sleeping bags, and the temperature got probably around 0c over night. We didn't have much of a problem. 

Nick woke up at around 7, but we stayed inside till around 8.. at that time we were getting hungry and decided to get active and set of a fire !! To our surprise, some of the people from the previous night had already set up a fire, it was nice sitting on the warm fire and cook some breakfast. 

We stayed on the fire till around 9-9:30, then started to pack and left the campground at around 11:30. With a 8.6kms to hike back, we decided to stop half way through for lunch, we did that in the same stop as we did the day before, we filtered some water and before we knew it we arrived to the car !! yeah !! we made it back yelled Nick, so excited !! and as soon as we got in the car he got my phone and started to browse "hikes around this area", he was so excited that all he could think of was "where are we hiking next week?"