BRAVO in every which way

Carrying on with the continuity of lately venturing into new territory, today we aimed for Panorama Ridge via Taylor Lake & Panorama Meadows located in Banff National Park just a hop, skip and jump east of Lake Louise.  A few friends hopped on board when I put the shout out.  Driving west, the sky looked dismal and dreary but that didn't dampen our spirits.  I sensed we were a group full of optimism.   

I have been to Taylor Lake three times, all at winter time when there was nothing but blizzard, cold wind and white.  I knew there was a lake under that blanket of white and today I finally got to see what it looked like.  The clouds hung low but we were still afforded beauty at its best.  We covered the seven kilometres through the forest to the lake in fine time.  We picked a picnic table, unloaded our gear, fueled up then aimed for..... 

.....Panorama Meadows.....

The clouds began to lift as we passed through the Meadows and gained elevation to Panorama Ridge.   The lovely larches were prime & pretty, the view was vast and the mountain scenes were magnificant.    We had a wide open view and seeing that it was noon, we settled down to dine.  This was my lunch time sight.

strong and beautiful all on its own

The consensus was we could handle more of everything including distance, elevation and scenery. 

We aimed higher and the clouds cleared for us as we ascended.

on Panorama Ridge with the Bow Corridor far below

my main summit shot

my loving life, jump for joy, remembering to breathe shot

We were now ready to descend to the valley below which is over the edge in front of us.

view along the slope down

our destination tarn

once again, we stopped, unloaded our gear

and just took it all in

leaving the tarn

looking back at another tarn 

playing in the meadow

It took time to pass through this area.  We had one view after another after another after another.  It was a dreamy place to be.  It was warm, no wind, clear sky and the colors were out of this world.  We made our way to another even larger tarn but decided to stay high and admire it from above.

We neared the end of this valley and aimed for the forest where we would complete our big loop and make our way back to Taylor Lake.  I stopped to have one last look back to where we were which was up on that golden gloryful ridge to the right.  

We were afforded everything that is wonderful along this day's adventure.  While at the beginning of our day, I sensed we were a group of folks full of optimism, there was no sensing what they thought of what we just expereinced, it was quite obvious.  What an epic-like amazing day!