Lake O'Hara July 23, 2019 (Lake Louise Camping July 22-24, 2019)

I have been fortunate to be able to hike in the Lake O'Hara area numerous times.  It is a World UNESCO Heritage Site and there is a quota set on how many people are permitted in the area in a day.   When the website to book a seat on the bus went live April 23rd at 8:00am, I very quickly went for one spot and I got it, for July 23rd. Three weeks ago a campsite for the two nights I needed at the Lake Louise Campground opened up and I grabbed them quickly.  The campground had been booked solid for the time frame I needed and nothing was becoming available.  Then one morning at 3:00am I woke and checked on my iPad just out of curiosity and there it was one spot for the two nights I needed was available.   Staying at the campground would save me from a long drive before and after my time at Lake O'Hara.  Lake O'Hara parking lot is just a 10 minute drive west from the Lake Louise Campground.

For this visit to Lake O'Hara I made a plan and I stuck to it.  There is so much to see here and I always want to see lots so I would rush a bit and not invest the time deserved to truly "remember to breathe".  Today's plan was to hike the Opabin Circuit, it's a shorter distance with not as much gain.  It is a route I have completed portions of at different times but had never covered the full circuit.  

For the first time ever I began hiking along the west side of Lake O'Hara having this morning view.

The West Opabin trail veered off into the forest and began to climb somewhat steeply taking me to high points quite quickly.  Every few minutes I looked backed and then this time when I turned around, there was Mary Lake.  I was already feeling thankful for how this day was transpiring.

The trail taking me even higher!

There is a detour off the main trail called the Opabin Prospect.  I was there once years ago and I remembered there to be quite a sight to see at some point.  The detour is well worth the few minutes it takes to get to the lookout point.  The forest opens up and you can see forever.  That's Lake O'Hara.  

on the slab rock at Opabin Prospect with Lake O'Hara below me

view of Mary Lake and Lake O'Hara from Opabin Prospect

There were a few others along the route with me and we hop-scotched past each other every now and then but none of the others ventured out to the Prospect.  Next came the Opabin Terrace Pools.  The scenery here was incredible.  The pools were emerald and green.  There you have Wiwaxy Peaks in the middle.

There were so many pools and lakes.

It was time to ascend again.  Now I could see back to the trail I hiked along and also the full size of Hungabee Lake.  The trail went through a boulder field but was easy to follow with stones placed to make a stone staircase.  I knew what was ahead and I was excited for that but I stayed focused on my plan and made sure to breathe in every sight at this second in time.

Up and over the boulder field and rocky ledge and there is Opabin Lake.

a reflection in the pool along the way to Opabin Lake

I hiked down and then along the shore of Opabin Lake to where this lone rock sat.  Then I sat on it for my destination shot.  It was hot here and felt good to be by water.  I soaked my bandana and tied it around my neck to help cool off.  This was my dining spot, by the water, surrounded by mountains.

Opabin Glacier on the right

I sat and I sat and I sat.  Enough time passed and then I was ready to carry on.  When I did, I took the East Opabin Route.  You can see the trail on the right side of the Moor Lakes, I am headed down there.

along the East Opabin Trail

Still there are many pools and lakes along the East Opabin Trail.

The trail eventually meets up with the Lake O'Hara Circuit Trail.  This time I headed east and followed the lake shore.  Here you can see up to Wiwaxy Gap in the middle.  I zoomed in and it was quite populated with people.  I have been up there a few times and another time I will go there again. But today, once again I remained focus and enjoyed my time when I got back down to Lake O'Hara itself.

one last photo of Lake O'Hara before heading up the trail to catch the bus

This is my route for today.

There is so much to love about this place called Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.  I am thankful to be gifted a beautiful weather day.  You never know what you might get when booking the day back in April.  You just pick a day and pray.  It was time now for that 10 minute drive back to my campsite and just hang out feeling the bliss!  

Dinosaur Provincial Park Comfort Camping Sept 13, 2018

When I woke this morning I was so thankful I did not have to pack up and head on home to Calgary.  I was enjoying these living arrangements.  While I love being in the mountains, and near the ocean, I also enjoy hanging out in badlands where there are hoodoos and fossils and lands like no other.  It is also typically nicer and warmer weather-wise. 

Another reason I did not want to have to get out of bed and pack up and head home was because it felt cold and I was too cozy under the blankets.  I reached over and turned my heating unit up from +18C to +25C.  I waited for it to warm up inside and then went about my business.

The cold air called for coffee by a campfire.  There was no spectacular sunrise on this morning.  My neighbours came out and we exchanged good mornings then they began their fire.  They also got their bar-b-que going I guess for a hot breakfast.  I did not bring items for a hot breakfast so made do with my skyr & granola, banana, coffee, grapes and crackers.

I loaded on extra layers and even my gloves for this mornings hike.  I ventured down the Cottonwood Trail this time.  The sky was grey and dismal but the ground cover made up for that with its vibrancy.

grey embraced by color

On this summer morning it felt like fall.  It looked it too.  

I like the sound when my feet swoosh through the fallen leaves.

standing stark in the desert

The Cottonwood Trail meanders amongst the cottonwood trees and the colorful ground cover.  The deer were plentiful and they stared at me as if I was intruding on their territory.  I went about my merry way and let them do their thing.

I followed the full loop and then headed back out to the dirt road.  There was a picnic table at the intersetion which was a perfect spot and perfect timing for a mid-morning snack.

Just up the road was The Trail of the Fossil Hunters and that route was next on my agenda. By now it had warmed up and it was time to shed a couple of layers. I was happy some blue in the sky appeared. 

hoodoos along the trail

There are many areas to scamper and scramble upon.  I took full advantage of those and gave full respect to the signs stating don't go here.  I could see others out amongst the landscape scampering here and there.  I enjoy this time of year here as it is on the quiet side people-wise.  A few folks here and there out here is fine, I would think during peak summer season it would be a challenge to get photos without people in them.

Early afternoon back home meant wine time.  I did not bring a proper wine glass and one was not provided so a plastic tumbler would be suffice. Some reading time was incorporated as was unexpectedly falling asleep.  This badlands exercise and air is so relaxing.

I had one last evening to enjoy sunset time.  

I went out even earlier and stayed longer and covered more territory.  

The clouds were phenomenal and made for a photographers dream.  

I have a 30 second timer on my camera which affords me this kind of photo.  I had a few seconds to spare once I reached my posing spot.  I could see off in the distance people posing on high spots.  It was nice to see that.

something a little different

The sun began to go down and the colors started to change.

Sections on the horizon began to light up.

feeling high up with the clouds

The colors turned incredible.  More people were arriving who were also appreciating this was a special evening out here.  How fortunate were we!  When today began, I was prepared for a dark and dismal day but it turned out being the most colorful day of all!

Here's a bit of final color to close out today.  I had lots of firewood still to use so enjoyed an extended amount of time by the warmth of a long and lingering fire.  I glanced over at my neighbours who were doing the same.  We exchanged smiles.  I sensed we were in the same head space about this place and this experience.

Tonight I wore an extract layer on top in bed and turned the heating unit to +21C.  I pulled all the blankets up to my ears, curled up, closed my eyes and drifted off this time to the sounds of the coyotes howling.  This added to the dinosaur desert experienced.  I smiled!

Dinosaur Provincial Park Comfort Camping Sept 12, 2018

When I booked my two nights for comfort camping at Dinosaur Provincial Park, that was all that was available.  A couple of days before heading east to the badlands, I saw that the Thursday night for the same unit opened up.  I already knew I would not want to head home on Thursday so first things first, I paid a visit to the campground check-in and sure enough I was able to secure the third night.  

When I woke I stayed in bed cozy for a bit then when I could see it becoming somewhat lighter inside my home away from home, I unzipped the two doors and peaked outside.  Quickly I scrambled into some outer layers and footwear and went out to embrace the sunrise.

I brewed a pot of coffee and enjoyed the early morning from my patio.

Getting on with the morning, I aimed for The Badlands Trail which was a short walk from my front canvas door.  The sun was just rising up over the formations. I already knew I was in for a treat today.

today's shadow shot

As the morning progressed the layers came off.  The desert sun felt hot.  There was no breeze and not many clouds in the sky.  No shelter was to be had.  Here you are exposed to Mother Nature and her Badlands and Hoodoos.

some places are open to explore while others are clearly marked as off limits

wide vista shows a landscape that made me feel like I was on another planet

This looks like something!

But what?

More delayering took place as noon approached.

This morning started as orange hues with sunrise, then golden as I hiked throughout the landscape, next was grey upon grey.  Lost in this landscape affords lots of lingering opportunities to appreciate this unique place which is a World UNESCO Heritage Site

Early afternoon meant lunch time, reading time, relaxing time, wine time, nap time.

With both doors unzipped this is the view inside from the outside.

All the kitchen ware necessary to prepare a lunch time feast was provided.

Even the clean up items were provided.

When early afternoon neared later afternoon, I headed towards the section of the campground where I stayed back in 2012 and took a trail from there up into where geology is boundless.  I liked how the clouds were developing which meant too we now had a bit of a breeze.

hoodoos and what have you

A later afternoon selfie enjoying the breeze and cooler air while watching the clouds dance.

Just a mere amount of minutes and I was back at my glamorous home.  I got dinner done quickly so I could head on back out for sunset.  This time I went earlier and with my headlamp back to the Coulee Trail.  This trail offers up a wonderful window on this spectacular landscape.

I reached a higher spot where I could see down to the Red Deer River and to where my living quarters is.  The Visitor Center is front and center.  There were many people out in this area this evening.  I am sure they felt the same as me, how fortunate to be right here right now.

gloriously glowing 

embracing the view

As night approached, I was already comfy and cozy in my bed.  The air felt cooler and the breeze turned to light winds.  I turned my heating unit on to +18C and left it at that as I lay my head on the pillow, closed my eyes and that is the last thing I remember of this amazing day.