A Glacial July Day

Days spent playing in the mountains can't always be perfect but if you learn to not sweet the small stuff, can be thankful for having your health and the time to play, are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way and you are open to being social and silly then any day in the Rockies can be pretty darn good!

I wasn't expecting the weather to be so bad today!  I checked the forecast last night and it was quite decent,  I didn't this morning and it appears Mother Nature didn't get a good night sleep, got up on the wrong side of the bed and made us pay for it today.  But, being experienced enough to know to leave certain items in my pack at all times, Mother Nature couldn't fool me nor my friends.

We had an approximate time set to begin our hike but that got thrown by the way-side when the highway was backed up do to a mud-slide.  Inching along, sitting in the car, watching the rain pour down I thought this is going to be one of those days (but not in a good way).  Letting myself believe that for a second, I quickly gave myself an attitude adjustment and realized today will be whatever I make of it!  So, for the part I had control over, I made it a great day! 

We finally hit the trail which was lined with a variety of colorful wildflowers!

We went from a fragile, colorful, delicate garden path to a rough and rugged, black and brown rocky trail!

As the sun poked out, I took the opportunity to have my summit shot taken! Even though this is not the high point, it was a high point seeing blue sky.  You can see Stanley Glacier behind me.

Then we carried on to the upper plateau where we had a view of Stanley Glacier!  We watched as a group of people (who began the hike as we were gearing up) work their way up the edge of the glacier and I believe these were the same folks who walked and stood directly under the cornice at Mt. Indefatigable.  We took shelter here for a short while but the rain was so heavy we decided to move on.

We descended on the opposite side from where we ascended so we could take shelter in "Thriller" which is a climbing cave.

Our hike ended with sunshine at the trial head, a beer and bison burger at The Drake and a feeling of accomplishment for making the most of a day that got off on the wrong foot!  Your days in the mountains can be whatever you make of them!

Riots and Ramparts

My intuition told me today was going to be one of those "on top of the world" days and I have learned to trust that sense and today proved why I should continue to trust it!    Some phrases I would use to describe this adventure would be "larger than life", "epic" (length wise and scenery wise), "a multitude of WOWs".  I didn't know which direction to look, at times I thought to myself where on earth am I and today was so fulfilling and rewarding it was one of the very, very few times I was content with leaving my playground in the mountains and going back home to the big city at the end of the hike.  

Signs and trails lead the way to our destinations of Simpson Pass, Eohippus Lake, The Monarch Ramparts, Healy Pass and Healy Creek Trail and when all is said and done, we should have covered approximately 26 km.  This 26 km does not include the 5.7 km bus ride from Sunshine Bourgeau Parking Lot up to Sunshine Village where our hike began.   

Thoughts were that today would be grand with wild flowers but the grand vistas far out weighted the wild flower show.  I was still able to capture some color though.  

Once out of the trees and into the wild and wide open spaces, we could see another of our destinations off in the distance.  The long ridge that spans from end to end is The Monarch Ramparts and measures roughly three kilometers long.  I was looking forward to being on The Ramparts but we needed a break and time to relax first so found the perfect spot.

That perfect spot was amongst a riot of glacier lilies that carpeted the meadow beside Eohippus Lake which is at the base of The Monarch.  You never know who you will run into in these spaces! I saw a group of trail runners heading our way.  With affirmative answers to just two questions for them "Are you from Banff?" and "Are you Banff Trail Trash?",  I got to meet Leslie whose blog I follow.  We chatted a bit then they were on their way.

We finally made our way up on top of The Monarch Ramparts and had this view behind us of where we just were for lunch.  It's hard to believe it is the middle of July and a portion of the lake is still frozen.  I was glad it was, because it made for dramatic photos.

Further along The Ramparts, I found a great spot for my summit shot.  We're not really on a mountain summit but by now I was feeling like I was "on top of the world" so that made a summit shot worthy!

Every where I looked there were lakes.  Thinking back, I wish I kept track of how many.  

I do know I would have needed all 10 fingers to keep track.

Once off The Ramparts, we landed on Healy Pass.  At this point we were almost 20 kms into our hike and it was close enough to dinner time, so we made it our dinner time.

Once again we found a meadow that was a riot of glacier lilies and settled down for awhile!

The last leg for today was about a 7 km hike down Healy Pass Trail which followed beside Healy Creek.  This portion went by quickly and quietly.  I kept checking my 60CSX the closer we got to the end.  The display was approaching 26 km but by the time I arrived back at the car, it didn't quite reach the 26 km so I did two laps of a few cars to bring it up to 26 km exactly!  

Today was one of those days that I know I will talk about for a long time to come and will always remember.  I believe this is the longest distance I have ever hiked.  My only issue after 26 kms was that nearing the end, the bottoms of my feet felt tender but that went away as soon as I got the boots off and the sandals on.

Being in the midst of Riots and Ramparts was a great way to spend a Saturday! 

Roughing It Reaps Rewards

I felt like I was on the edge of glory when I was driving to Waterton for my camping weekend by a lake.  I was so excited for the experience!   I had a good night sleep, woke early, was raring to go so just packed the car and hit the road by 6:30am.  I follow a fellow's stories and photos and he had been there the previous weekend and said you can have the place to yourself if you get there early.  

My first stop was Bear's Hump! Here I am sitting on it and owning it!  I cased out the townsite campground far below me looking to see where my reserved site might be.  Check in time wasn't until 2:00pm so I had loads of hours to fill.

I drove up the Akamina Parkway to Cameron Lake and couldn't own the wharf until the Manitoba Chapter of Hell's Angels finished doing their thing on it.  Then it was mine turn to do my thing! I did it, then hiked along the Lake a short bit until I found a nice spot to relax, enjoy the view and have an early lunch.

I had another lake to visit which I had never been to before.  Linnet Lake had a short hike around it which gives a great view of the entrance side of The Prince of Wales Hotel.  I could have just hiked over the hill to the Hotel but I drove there instead.

Every time I have been up on that hill at the Prince of Wales Hotel, it has been windy and today was no exception.  The wind even made my pig tales curl up.  This was my last stop before parking my car for the balance of the trip.

It was shortly before 2:00 so I found my way to the townsite campground, checked in and then set up my site.  The view out my front flap was of Crandell Mountain.  I had a few trees to one side which helped block the wind, thank goodness.   I strolled around the grounds to locate all the facilities then went walking for a couple of hours along the lake trail and campground trail.  I was loving where I was and what I was seeing!  I was now in the glory that I felt I was on the edge of on the drive from Calgary.

After the long walk, I lounged on my red chair and savoured a Grizzly Paw RED before making dinner.  During dinner Cate the Park Warden came by and invited me to her show that night.  I needed to pass some time before sunset so popped in for the 45 minute presentation.

My main reason for camping in Waterton was to be by a lake for sunset and sunrise.  The sun began to set and the scenery looked amazing.  I was so happy that my weekend was turning out to be what I had hoped for. 

I watched as Vimy Peak changed colors right before my eyes.  

I liked how the color of the Peak reflected in the Lake.

Part of Cate's talk was about the magic of the night sky and how dark it gets in Waterton which makes for great star gazing and suggested we take some time to view this for ourselves.  I went to bed thinking if I wake up then I will gaze out and sure enough I woke, looked out my front flap and saw one of the most beautiful night skies I have ever seen.  I wished I had a camera that could capture it but I don't.  I enjoyed the view for a little while then went back to sleep in anticipation of a wonderful sunrise.  How wonderful is this...

...and this!  

I enjoyed the sunrise, then enjoyed my coffee, then enjoyed my breakfast then enjoyed another stroll along Waterton Lake while most others were still sleeping.

The February photo shows how Waterton's main street looks like a ghost town in the dead of winter.  What a difference five months makes.   I think both photos are beautiful in their own way.  

I made my way back to the campground and packed up my gear in preparation for the trip back home.  :-(    I already knew before even leaving the grounds, that I wanted to come back one day.  Just outside of the Park Gate is another viewing area that I had never been to so paid a visit this time.  It's a wetland area full of wildflowers, butterflies, birds and bees.

The scenery for the drive home was beautiful!

I had the radio on listening to music for company as I was heading home, but it wasn't enough, I ended up talking to myself!

My camping gear isn't too far away from my front door right now.  

I'm already excited for my next trip in a couple of weeks. 

Simply Splendid

Boom Lake proved to me that you don't always have to go far and go high for beauty and contentment!  After a larger day yesterday, the hike to Boom Lake was ideal for today.  There was no effort involved other than climbing over a boulder field to get to our lunch reservation.  The day also afforded me the opportunity to chat with folks I hope to hook up with for hiking in Glacier in August.

After checking out the lay of the land, knowing the lack of elevation, there was no doubt I could leave my gaiters and spikes in the car.   I stowed my poles on my pack but could have left them behind too.  The trail was very wet and muddy in sections and at times those sections were long but they were easy to maneuver around.  The board walk protected the land from us and protected us from the land.

Having new people to meet and get to know and friends to catch up with along for today, the hike to the lake went by quickly and before I knew it, there it was, our first glimpse of Boom Lake.   The Lake is at the base of Boom Mountain and being right on the edge of the Lake, I wasn't able to be a shot that included the full Lake and full  Mountain.

We crossed over the boulder field to get to a somewhat secluded and more private place to settle down for awhile. 

This is our dining spot!  There were enough large rocks that we each claimed our own!

We spent easily an hour here, first eating, then exploring, then napping, then taking a group photo before returning the same way we came.  After leaving the secluded spot, working our way through the trees and bushes, we arrived to throngs of folks hanging out at the wide open larger spot.   This is obviously a tourist trail, which was even more evident along the trail back and then seeing a packed parking lot.  Good thing we were early birds today!

Speaking of birds, we were fortunate to find the local Castle Mountain Junction Osprey at home, we think guarding a nest of babies.   We topped off our trip with ice cream treats before hitting the highway home.

It was such a gorgeous day in the mountains, I didn't want to go home!  

No worries though, next weekend I won't be going home after my day in the mountains!

OOOOH! CANADA!

Today we bought into Mount Lipsett and we owned it for free!  Normally on July 1st there are more hiking options to choose from for a Canada Day Celebration.  This year was different, once again it's old news, there is still too much snow high up.  A couple of suggestions were presented and eventually we all bought into Mount Lipsett.  

Today, July 1st, Canada Day, I took the time to acknowledge how fortunate I am to live where I do, to be able to do what I want to do, to go where I want to go and when I want to.  I am thankful I live in Canada true north, strong and free!

These July 1st mountain top celebrations are becoming a tradition.  I look forward to the uniqueness that each friend brings to the party.  This year Agent-X brought along her kite which she loaned me and I held onto it for dear life in that fierce wind.  Wishes to you for a wonderful summer!   Another friend was celebrating her first Canada Day as a Canadian Citizen and I'm glad she choose to let us share in her special day.  Adventure Designer who put today together for us brought bubbles which made for great photo opportunities.  Thank you for designing this day!  This could possibly be the last Canada Day we get to share locally with Ms D No Stopping Me.  Did I see you take your own moment of reflection on top?  I think I did!  Not only does July 1st give us reason to celebrate Canada Day, it's the beginning of another fun filled six months and my time to begin acknowledging my friend's new chosen name of Short Stop!  Your home made specially filled treats add an extra kick to our adventures. 

After our potluck celebration in a lower down sheltered spot, we then headed for the summit of Mount Lipsett.  As we started up, the group already up there began their descent.  I was glad for that because once we reached the top, we owned the summit for a good lengthy time.  We had a 360 degree view.   I liked how I could get alpine flowers and grand mountain views in the same photo. 

This photo was taken from the summit looking north and that's Highway 40 (where life begins) down below.  

Mount Lipsett had a couple of different ridges to explore.  This flowery ridge was my favourite.  It amazes me that at a high elevation point of approximately 2600 meters, these pretty, delicate looking flowers can exist amongst the rocks on these rough and rugged slopes.

These are a few of the wild flowers we saw today!

I was thankful Mount Lipsett was chosen for today's celebration over Mist Mountain (the other option which I would have declined from participating in.)  The summit and ridges exceeded my expectations and left me with that fulfilled feeling which I really craved.  After just short of eight hours we were back at the trail head.  We geared down, exchanged final thoughts and gestures and then it was time to be heading home!

I had a Happy Canada Day!  

At that moment in time when my summit shot was taken 

(which is the first photo at the beginning of my story) 

I felt like I was "on top of the world!"