Mollie Adams Diary of her Journey in the Canadian Rockies, July 20, 1908

Maligne Lake

Monday, July 20

               Frost last night, ice on a pail of water ¼ inch thick. All four men went off after breakfast, riding and taking one pack horse with tent and blanket for trail cutters. W. and H. the unfortunate convict labourers this time. M. and I. alone in camp had a busy day; used up every crumb of laundry soap that was left around loose, on her blankets and anything else we could find; boiled, baked and stewed in the kitchen, more on account of sun than fire (thermom. 96° again, 75° in the shade); changed the driers in Mr. B’s plant presses twice; had a dip in the lake; and I took the time by a sort of sundial process which kept me running to mark the shadow every 15 minutes for almost 3 hrs. So we only managed about half an hour’s siesta in our shady parlour. Had supper when Mr. B. and U. came back about 7. It had taken them 4 hrs. to go as far as was already cut – about 7 miles – and with Dandy on the lead. They say it is a pretty sporty trail.