The Ascent: Riding the Timber Express

Nels and Dini escorted us to the Timber Express chairlift, where Cennia, eager to capture the scenery with her new Canon camera, insisted on riding up solo. Cory and I followed close behind. As the chairlift scooped us up, Cory, who had never been on a chairlift before, was instantly filled with excitement. "Here we go," he exclaimed, and as the lift carried us higher, his awe grew. We were soon soaring above light green vegetation and tall, dark evergreens, with a breathtaking 360-degree view surrounding us. After an eleven-minute ride, we arrived at our mountain-top campground, eager for the adventures that awaited.

Lost Boys Café & Setting Up Camp

Stepping off the chairlift, we headed straight to the Lost Boys Café, a charming mountaintop café with a deck that served as the heart of the campground. Dini offered us refreshing drinks as we took in the stunning view of Elk Valley below. The tiny town of Fernie looked like a miniature model, its roads like thin lines etched into the valley floor. Nels regaled us with stories of the valley's history, pointing out distant mountain peaks and naming them as Cennia snapped photos, capturing the serene and peaceful atmosphere.

After soaking in the scenery, we walked a short distance to our campsite, a secluded spot nestled between two towering mountain rock pinnacles—Mammoth Peak and Elephant Head. Mammoth Peak even had a small patch of snow clinging to its shaded side. We quickly set up our tent, with everyone pitching in: Dini handled the tent rods, Kelly orchestrated the assembly, and Nels distributed the tent pegs. Within 15 minutes, our campsite was ready—a perfect spot to spend the night under a full Thunder Moon.

The July full moon is also known as the "Thunder Moon" due to the frequent thunderstorms that occur in North America during this time. The weather was hot and dry for this trip.

Exploring the Mountain: A Guided Hike

After settling in, we returned to the Lost Boys Café for another round of refreshments before setting out on a guided hike. Nels and Dini led us along trails lined with rocks and lush vegetation, their narration bringing the landscape to life. Dini pointed out various plants and flowers, explaining their seasonal blooms, while Nels shared fascinating geological history about the Lizard Range, where the rocks appear to be flipped upside down. We learned about the deep snow levels in winter, marked by the high branches on the trees. At Lost Boys Lookout, we were treated to another breathtaking view of the valley, and I even found ancient fossils embeded into heaved up rocks along the way. The hike was nothing short of sensational.

Dinner with a View: A Feast at Lost Boys Café

Returning to the Lost Boys Café, we were greeted by a beautifully set table, complete with white plates, wine glasses, and silverware—an unexpected touch of elegance for our mountaintop camping experience. Kelly, Dini, and Nels joined us for a meal of barbecued steak, roasted vegetable skewers, baked potatoes, and a fresh green salad. The atmosphere was festive as we chatted and enjoyed our meal with the sun beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the valley. Cory summed it up perfectly: "This is great, we didn’t have to pack any food." As the sun dipped below the horizon, Cennia captured the moment with her camera, adding another memorable snapshot to our collection.

A Night to Remember: Under the Thunder Moon

As night fell, we returned to our campsite. The darkness was softened by the light of the full Thunder Moon as it began to rise over Mammoth Peak. The sight was mesmerizing—tiny black outlines of trees and a mountain peak silhouetted against the glowing orb as it ascended higher into the night sky. It was a magical end to an already extraordinary day, leaving us all in awe.