Grass Pass & The Boundary Pine January 20, 2019

A weekend quiet morning is about the only time that Deerfoot 500 Raceway is worth it for me to take the chance venturing onto.  I have been thinking about hiking up to The Boundary Pine tree in the foothills west of Longview and taking all pertinent points into account, today seemed like the day to do it.  The weather forecast showed awesome!      

I left home in the dark and the entire drive was beautiful 

due to the enormous looking moon setting and then

the sun rising the closer I got to the trail head.   

I went prepared with gaiters and spikes but neither were necessary.  

When I saw this I thought tropical for a split second!

I arrived at Grass Pass and then began the ups over the three little steep hills as if I were heading over to the Bull Creek Hills.  My destination was in the other direction so this was my veer off point.  It felt warm and the views were so nice that I took a little time here.  I like the look of cloud rays shooting out of the mountain top.

This is about as much snow as I had to contend with.

The wind whipped trees up here always capture my attention.

Then there are the trees that I wonder about their state of existence! 

A great view of the Bull Creek Hills is afforded as you hike along the pinesula towards the Boundary Pine.  From this vantage point they look inviting to go there without snowshoes but who knows what is over and down the other side.

Upon arrival at the Boundary Pine, the sun was peaking through the branches.

It's not just a tree although some would say that.  The Boundary Pine Tree has history, you just need to google it.  This was a wonderful day to be here.  There was just enough blue and just enough cloud to make this picture perfect.  

Off to the side on a little outskirt was what looked like a good place to enjoy my tea and sandwich.  I settled in there and savoured everything so far about today.  That is tea, not just hot water.  I went with a not so strong chamomile to pair with a ham/turkey/cheese on a multigrain ciabatta bun sandwich.

After lunch it was retreat time back the way I came.  

I continued straight over to the Highwood River.    

icy framed rock

Before motoring on beyond this area I stopped to look back to see where I was.  

Nose Hill Environmental Park January 18, 2019

I knew I would be in for something up on Nose Hill this morning but I was not expecting what I saw.    I am appreciating Nose Hill Environmental Park more and more as time goes on.  It is becoming the go to place for my regular two to three hour walks instead of meandering through the local neighbourhoods where I feel more like I am on a "neighbourhood watch" rather than enjoying scenery.  Today every single scenery sight where ever I looked was frame worthy.  

It's a Friday, it's a work day, yet I was surprised at how many people were strolling the hills and valleys this morning.  The majority were like me, there to capture the knock your socks off beauty.  I took a trail that would lead me to..... 

 ...what looked like a magical place.

The hoarfrost was in abundance on every little thing.

It multiplied the size of each of those every little things.

I ended up well beyond my intended destination.  That seems typical for me up there these days.  I aimed back but then veered off again because all the pretty just got even prettier.  No one had been up this trail and it beckoned me.

This is what I arrived at when I answered the call.

The beauty carried on!

Time passed, the kilometres covered accumulated, my stomach was growling, my hair was full of frost, my hat was itching my head, it was time to leave the hill and head home.  But, not before investing a few more minutes admiring yet even another incredible sight.

This was today's route.  

Lower Lake/Canyon/Meadow in PLPP January 17, 2019

My snowshoes have been sitting at my door, right there front and center, almost like they are yelling at me to please not leave them behind yet another day!  Today I was snowshoeing no matter what!  The plan was for a gentler day, I was keen for whatever.  Our route followed the Lower Lake Trail onto the Canyon Trail then onto Meadow.  It was a one way trip along these trails which I have never been on before in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.       

It was a grey dismal day with snow flurries the entire time.  

When it is winter and we are handed grey dismal, that's when I focus up close and find the beauty there.  It was cold and it was frosty.  The snow crystals were big and there were millions of them.  The snow itself was fluffy and fun to run in but the others were not sure what to make of my antics.  I was doing what I do and that was making my own kind of fun and memories.    

On days like this it is a pleasure to have a warm comfortable place to retreat to when it's time to dine.  

There are mountains out there!

As it remained cold all day and the flurries continued to fall, the crystals accumulated and grew in size.  Looking at them up close is a sight to see, each one is so perfectly formed and each crystal is unique in its own way.  No matter what Mother Nature offers you, accept it and find your own way to embrace it! 

Glenbow Ranch January 14, 2019

I have always been a morning person and I am working at maintaining that status.  Some days are easier than others to get up and get out the door.  When I know there is potential to witness views like this, I can get there.  This morning I joined numerous others out at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park with a task of capturing the early morning light.    

On the drive down that dirt road I noticed a dust storm ahead.  I was not the only one racing to get there for the beginning of the show.   For January it is unusual for there to be no snow.  This area is very dry and the fire rating is at high.

I headed towards the Visitor Center while others walked towards the meadow before Tiger Lily.  

I noticed how sections of the grass took on that burning sunrise hue.  

 The sun peaked through the trees.

 always remember to look back over your shoulder

I took the paved trail down towards Yodel.

As I descended I realized I would be able to see the sun rise again.

along the valley section of Yodel

For the longest time the ground cover took on that burning sunrise shade.  

I arrived at the entrance to the Bow River Trail.  It was a perfect spot for tea time.  

Talk about good timing, a tea time train!

There is easy access to the Bow River so I followed the shoreline instead of the trail.

the sun shining on the tree tops

I completed a portion of the Bow River Loop then headed west along the Glenbow Trail.  I was not ready to call it a day yet so continued on west.  The sun was up, it was warming up, the burning sunrise shades turned to blues & shadows.

I veered off onto Tiger Lily then veered off again to take the shorter steeper stretch back up to the Visitor Center.  The Center was now open but I strolled on by.  Along the way I did notice other sections of the Park were open for exploring so I will be back to see the scenery those areas offer up.

This is the 10 kilometre section I covered today.

Lake Louise & Marble Canyon Photography January 11, 2019

I woke very early this morning with full intentions of venturing on another X-C Ski outing.  I got all my gear in place and then sat down to pass a few minutes while waiting for go time.  During those few minutes my whole outlook on the day shifted.  I got lazy and decided for an easy photography day instead.  Things happen for a reason and when I arrived at Lake Louise to capture typical scenery shots, that reason became quite obvious!  Lake Louise took on a look I never saw before.  The photos will tell today's story! 

arriving at Lake Louise as the sun rises

then fog rolled in

then the fog cleared and a cloud rolled down

then the fog came back as mountain tips turned pink

fog all moved to the right

then over took the place again

and rolled all the way in covering the entire area

I took shelter in the Castle!

I headed over to the ski/snowshoe rental hut because it was a bit clearer here.

The Ice Bar!

Instead of baileys on ice it was fog on ice!

No presentations today! 

By the time I made it back to the head of Lake Louise, it was clearing up nicely.  

It was time for me to move on down the road, down the road from the Lake to the Village, out the road to the highway, taking the highway east and then south on 93 to see Marble Canyon in the winter time.  I was nervous about driving the 93 but there was no traffic, the highway turned out being fine.  I arrived at Marble Canyon and went on my way wandering about.   It was dismal at first and I wished for blue sky.

Watch what you wish for! Just like that the clouds began to clear.  

I could see the trail below and the bridge across the canyon.

along the trail

I wandered around with a tourist couple and we offered to take each others photos.

We watched the ice climbers from the vantage point of the bridge.

When I turned my camera to take a portrait encompassing the climber, the canyon, the forest and the sky, I spied two red dots in the center of the snow covered trees off in the distance.  I realized the red dots were two of those red chairs.  I made my way over there and the others followed me.

life is rough

snow settled along the canyon wall

I completed the walk around Marble Canyon and took a detour down to the river on the way back to my car.  I wish the walk here was longer.  It was so beautiful, I could have handled more.  But it became time to move on and get off the 93 before traffic gets heavy.

The drive was so pretty and got even prettier the closer I got to Banff.  I had to take in more of this so drove down to Vermilion Lakes where I was just a few weeks ago.  The Lake still is not fully frozen.  

The sun was warm and as you can see there was only a slight breeze.  I settled on the bench for some tea and my sandwich.  I thought what an incredible day this is.  What transpired today was meant to be, I am glad I did not ski.