High & Happy

I had no idea what to expect today when I woke this morning with a change of heart. I went to bed last night with a plan in place for today and that plan was to hike Horsethief Canyon in Drumheller. I woke this morning with a desperate need to get high and there is no way that could happen anywhere in Drumheller.  I needed to satisfy my fix so switched the plan from one "H" place to another "H" place.  Horsethief Canyon became Ha Ling Peak!

I have not done hikes with significant elevation gain in quite some time so I had no idea what to expect today. First things first though, I at least wanted to make it to the trail head.  While driving along Three Sisters Parkway, I stopped to check out my objective.  That's it, the top of that right peak but I would be ascending on the other side of it.

There were a couple of cars in the lot when I arrived and two folks were aiming for the trail head.  I usually like to be first but I was quite fine for others to clear the way today.  Five minutes into the hike and I'm amazed already. Ah, how I love reflections!

After the reflections and before reaching the summit, time and distance uneventfully passed by.  There were a few short sections of old packed dirty snow on the sides of the trail, but they were harmless.  Once out of the trees it was clear & dry & steep.  I reached the top feeling like the approximate 800 meters of elevation gain over roughly 2.8 kms was not really all that bad.  This is the view below from where I just came.

Firstly, and most importantly, I scored my summit shot!

I found the  perfect place to settle down amongst big rocks, to savour the view and my chicken&avocado sandwich.  There was a pleasant slight breeze which was unexpected.  I was prepared for the usual gale force winds but those did not pan out.  Thirty minutes later, I could see many hikers working their way towards me so that meant it was time to surrender my ownership.  

Spectacular lunch time view!

On my way down I looked back to capture a shot of the steepness behind me.

 See how little the folks look near the summit?

I took a short detour to get a different perspective of Ha Ling Peak.

Canmore below with Highway 1 winding through it.

When I arrived back at my vehicle, I stood with stomach in, chest out, I beamed with delight and smiled wide.  Considering I had no preconceived expectations for my performance today other then to make it to the trail head, I was ecstatic for having conquered Ha Ling Peak!