A Great Scramble

I was disappointed arriving home from work yesterday to a message saying Saturday's snowshoe event will not be taking place.  I felt that disappointment for a very quick second, remembering that this week I was reminded how life can be short, so now I only had time for feeling happy so began to scramble on lining up a new objective.  By the time I lay my head on the pillow, my Saturday was re-planned.   

What I quickly scrambled together last evening was for an early morning snowshoe visit to Rawson Lake and then take time to explore a portion of Upper Kananaskis Lake.  My last visit to Rawson Lake was in 2010.  It's a long drive, a short route, a busy trail all which are none of my favourite things.  I can fill today with all my favourite things and find a renewed enjoyment of this area.

With my early arrival at the parking lot, there was one other person gearing up getting ready to snowshoe off.  Then I was off.  It was peaceful and beautiful.  The early morning light was gorgeous. 

I passed by the other soloist and made a quick scramble along the final flat section to make sure I was 1st at Rawson Lake on this 1st day of February.  Today was the prettiest I have ever seen this place looking.  It was picture perfect!  Pure white untouched snow, bright blue sky with scattered fluffy clouds, a dusting of snow on the trees and a magnificant mountain...all my favourite things! 

Rawson Ridge in the middle

looking back at where I arrived at the Lake

my destination shot

on Rawson Lake with Mount Sarrail behind me

It was still way too early for lunch, so after fully enjoying all the views, I aimed for the trees to begin the trip back down to Upper Kananaskis Lake.  I exchanged pleasantries with the other soloist and off I went.  This view looks dreamy and pillowy to me, and a view like this is now one of my favourite things.

Instead of taking the trail all the way back, I veered off, down over a small hill to the edge of Upper Kananaskis Lake and followed the shoreline.  I like wide open more than tree lined trails.  I could hear and see folks through the trees on the trail heading up to Rawson Lake.  I owned where I was out here on the edge!

Mother Nature's designs were phenomenal.

Deja Vu!  How is that hunk of snow balancing on that rock!

I know, the snow is covering an ice berg.

This was mesmerizing!

I literally laid down on the snow so I could have an up close and personal view.

I stayed on the edge of the Lake and instead of heading back to the car when I arrived below that area, I carried on around the Lake.  I didn't have enough of pretty yet to call it a day.   Such a fine view of the mountain range toward the Highwood Pass.  

This is crazy how the snow is covered in ice.

( a reminder that clicking on any photo will enlarge it)

The snow was deep on this side of Upper Kananaskis Lake with lots of big drifts around.  I was on my own and did not feel comfortable going any further so this was my turn around point.

Get my drift about the big drifts?

By the time I arrived back at my car, it was shortly after lunch time.  I geared down and then bundled back up, turned my car to where I had a front row view to wonderfulness and then dined.  I truly wanted to embrace today, I wanted this day to count and to mean something. I scrambled to make something happen and this is where that scrambling got me. 

I declare, I embraced today big time!