Welcome to A Crock of Schmidt. Here you will find campground reviews from all my camping adventures over the years. I also share cool attractions and destinations we’ve been to, great hikes we’ve done, and some insights on our hobbies. Once in awhile, I toss in some ramblings on whatever nonsense moves me at the moment. Thanks for coming by and I hope you find something that helps and/or entertains. If you do, kindly tell a friend about this place.
Yale Town Recreational Panning Reserve
November 16, 2025
One of the advantages of being an amateur gold panner in Western Canada is that I can straight-faced tell people, “I went to Yale.” It elicits some raised eyebrows, if only momentarily. It’s not a ruse I can maintain for long, even if I wanted to. But when it comes to Yale Town Recreational Panning
Hope Recreational Panning Reserve
November 9, 2025
Fans of Dan Hurd are familiar with his fondness for saying there is gold everywhere on the Fraser. He seemingly mentions it in every video he posts from one of his Fraser River claims. Considering the amount of gold in those same videos, he may be on to something. The BC government apparently concurs. Of
Gold Panning on the Tranquille River
November 1, 2025
Ask Western Canadian gold panners what is the best public panning spot and I wager most would say Tranquille River. It may even be unanimous. It’s what I would say. Okay, that’s not entirely true. It’s what I would have said three summers ago. Now, I’m not so sure. Like all good things, salmon ends
Rosebery Provincial Park – review
October 20, 2025
A friendly, fair, and attentive park operator can significantly improve the experience at any provincial or national park. They’re the cherry on top of the campground sundae, if you will; or the hair should the opposite be true. But can an operator be too friendly? This is the question I was left pondering after our
Silverton Falls – Banff National Park
July 7, 2025
There are some things you just can’t have one of. Like slices of pizza. Or Oreos. In university it was beer. Mark Messier and Lays would have you believe it’s potato chips. For me personally, Smarties fit the bill. And I’m talking handfuls, not individual ones. Well, it turns out waterfalls are also best enjoyed
Johnston Canyon – Banff National Park
June 30, 2025
When the question of Banff hikes comes up, I’m reminded of The Brady Bunch. Jan, in particular. You know that infamous “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha” line of hers? Well, the most common answer to the Banff hikes question … “Johnston Canyon, Johnston Canyon, Johnston Canyon” … hits my ears the same. To say Johnston Canyon is
Johnston Canyon Campground – Banff National Park – review
June 23, 2025
I’ve been eyeing Johnston Canyon Campground for years now. It’s impossible not to considering the notoriety of the same-named hike that draws close to a million visitors every year. A weekend of camping and hiking in Banff, what’s not to love? Well, the reservation protocol, for starters. These Banff National Park campgrounds are wildly popular.
Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area – review
June 16, 2025
In the mid nineteen-eighties, the Alberta government began developing a dam on the Oldman River north of Pincher Creek. By 1991 (or 1992 … online resources disagree on the year), the Oldman River Dam was complete and began filling its reservoir. With that, the Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area was born. I can’t help but
Castleview Campground – review
June 9, 2025
If I underestimated the appeal of Cottonwood Campground, then I overestimated it for Castleview Campground. Fortunately, I chose the former for our May long weekend camping excursion. I rather think I wouldn’t have been happy had I chosen the latter. Location and Layout of Castleview Campground Castleview Campground is located within the Oldman Dam Provincial
Cottonwood Campground – review
June 2, 2025
I don’t like wind. Hate it. Be it blowhard, flatulence, or the good old fashioned air pressure disparity kind, I don’t like wind one bit. So, it should come as no surprise that I’ve postponed a seemingly inevitable visit to Cottonwood Campground as long as I could. This past May long weekend, having exhausted every