Barrier Viewpoint January 19, 2020 & Projects

With the week long coldmageddon ended, it's now safe to be actively "out & about" for an extended period of time.  I picked Barrier Lake Lookout to be my destination for today.  I know how beautiful that whole area is at this time of year.  I hit the highway blending in with the migration west.  Even while on my way west, I was experiencing that fulfilling feeling.  I turned off where life begins at Highway 40 along with many others.  Yet I was the only one that turned off for the Barrier Dam Parking Lot.  While it was not early, the lot was empty.  I was surprised to see the new main lot was closed.  I parked, geared up and took off just as a vehicle with a biker guy pulled in beside me.

This is my kind of beauty!

The snow was drifted and deep just getting to the dam.  

The wind bit me like it normally does along this section. 

 I made quick business of crossing the dam and getting into the shelter of the trees.

The trail into the trees was packed.

My spikes were sufficient enough.

I got the switchbacks upwards through the forest over with and as I arrived at the first big opening the biker passed by.  I took a few minutes here to admire the view.  It was later morning but still there was an after effect of the sunrise.

I eyed up to where I planned to go.  The going looked good from here so I went for it.

I made it to the rocky outcrop viewpoint and checked out the area.  No one had been past this section.  I aimed to where the trail was but there was no trail.  I carried on a bit but began sinking to over my knees.  The snow was deep, it was drifted.  I have been up here so many times but it looked foreign to me in these conditions.  I opted out of continuing further, I just did not feel comfortable on my own here.

So, I made this my high point!

See, it is beautiful up here!

I worked my way back to the rocky viewpoint and settled down for a snack.  I shared the space with another biker, he was originally from The Netherlands.  We chatted for a little while both enjoying our drinks, our snacks and the scenery.

It was windy and nippy out here in the open.  

I needed a hot drink so eventually managed to get some tea into the cup.

I was a tad disappointed to not make it to the Lookout.  It would be incredible up there today.  

I packed up and headed on back down.  

This was the view as I took one last look back up.   It was not until I made it down to the switchbacks that I met others on their way up.   We shared pleasantries with a couple of ladies inviting me to go back up with them as their intentions were to hit the Lookout.  I passed on the invite and continued on my way.  

I arrived back at Barrier Lake and scooted down to the lake shore.  I thought it was windy this morning as I began the hike but that I would call delightful compared to how wicked the wind was now.  Even though, I enjoyed it!  I spent more time here than I did at the high point snacking.

This is my favourite photo of the day!  

It was wild at times.....

.....and other times, as calm as could be!

By the time I got back to my car, the small section available to park was close to being full.  I am sure after today, there will be a beaten snow path all the way to the Lookout.  Another try may be in order. What a relief  it was to be back outside on the move in our amazing mountain playground.  

 I did not let those coldmaggedon days last week just pass on by.   

I am back into cross-stitching after decades and I am enjoying it!  

I completed this project on Saturday after many coldmageddon hours working on it.  

My next project is to turn this photo I love so much into a cross-stitch pattern and then stitch away.  

I have only ever stitched from a store bought pattern so this will be a first for me.

Stay tuned!

Lake Louise Photography January 9, 2020

I woke this morning to a shocking surprise when I saw how cold it was!  When I went to bed last night conditions looked favourable for a X-C Ski trek so my pack was packed, my attire was laid aside, I was ready for the day.  -26C With a wind chill of -31C was not part of my plan for today but it was in Mother Nature's plan.  I only hoped I could get into my car and that it would start!  I did have success with that and with my new laid out plan of bundling up and going for a photography walk around Lake Louise.    

On a January Thursday morning with these frigid temperatures, Lake Louise was not busy.  I could count on one hand the number of visitors there.  This does not include the crew who were hastily clearing away snow and flooding the rink.  I arrived at the shore of Lake Louise to see this sight!

I had many many layers on and I was quite fine to just stroll about.  

It was an incredible morning to be here, I savoured everything about the peace, the quiet, the beauty.

  Here are a few photos to show you what I have a hard time describing in words.   

Bow River Loop Attempt X-C Ski January 8, 2020

My intentions for today was for a bigger ski day but I had no success in making that happen.  With the amount of snow that fell yesterday and all night long, it would be work no matter what track I tried.  Time was on my side today so I was ready for whatever. My first choice was Moraine but the snow was too deep to get my car into the lot.  Well I could access Moraine from Upper Tramline, but only to see Louise parking lot a mess of snow banks and plows.  How about Great Divide then, it seemed OK a few minutes ago when I drove by.  Headed back there and by now a car was stuck in the snow in the entrance to the lot.  Oh what should I do?  

I drove  back down to the Village and to the train station parking lot where I started yesterday and which had already been cleared of snow this morning.  This is also a starting point for the Bow River X-C Ski Loop so that is now my planned route.  It was beautiful along here with so much snow.  It was warm and calm with blue sky and sun.  A faint track was visible under a few cms of snow.  I was thoroughly enjoying my ski....

....until in a matter of a minute it turned dark, the wind whipped up, blowing snow off the trees, it pelted wet heavy snow and created white out conditions.  I was continuously being snow bombed.  Enough was enough and I had enough.  I did an about turn to head back.  At the road crossing, I clipped out of each ski.  On the other side I could only clip back into one binding.  I tried and tried and tried but could not rectify the issue.  One ski on and one off, I ski-hopped, slip-walked, made a mess of the track, over about two kilometres back to my car.  

I was done like dinner so I went back to my room and ate my dinner as a late lunch.  Tomorrow is another day!

Tramline Moraine Fairview Loop X-C Ski January 7, 2020

The forecast said Lake Louise would be walloped with snow today! My only thought was to get there before the brunt of it hit.  I safely arrived at the Lake Louise train station parking lot after a non-eventful drive.  

I picked the Tramline and Moraine tracks to ski on because they had been recently groomed but you would never know it by looking at them.  I guess it snowed here last night.  Tramline was a delightful sight with the abundance of snow sitting on the trees. Then came Moraine and minor flurries with no views but a dull sun ready to disappear.  I knew there would be nothing to view along Fairview except for snow and more snow and then even more when it began to wallop me.  When I made it back onto Tramline conditions were near whiteout.  Even though, it was still a quick trip back to my car.

What is a visit to Lake Louise Village without stopping into Wilson's and Laggans to make a donation!  Still with time to spare, I went for a stroll around the Lake Louise area.  It was very very quiet up there.  There is an incredible amount snow on the ground already and it was continuing to fall and accumulate.  It was now time for me to get comfy, cozy, dry and warm with my feet up, a beer in one hand and chips in another!