Good Ole Glory Day

Glory Day

definition

resplendent beauty or magnificence

The number of true snowshoe treks I have completed this season don't amount to very many compared to previous seasons.  The choice has been going for browner pastures & ridges.  Today felt like going back to a good ole glory day, a day of snowshoe all the way.  With tonnes of snow, blue sky, warm degrees, no wind, fine friends, long distance, today's ingredients made for quite the glory day.  Oh, how I have missed you!  

Objective:  Kananaskis Lookout

The trail head was at the Boulton Creek Trading Post parking lot.  Our route would be following along side designated X-C Ski trails starting with Whiskey Jack, on to Lookout, then Hydroline, next Fox Creek, finishing on Moraine.  Our ascent took us through the camp ground then along tree lined trails for quite some time before the views began. 

Love for this day began early on.

After making that final turn and exiting the trees, then right in front of us was that resplendent beauty. Ah, glory day!   In the wink of an eye,  there was a lot to take in but before feasting my eyes on all that, I checked out the guest book.  I hope others checked it out also today! It made me smile, maybe it will make you smile too!    

The views begin!

We snowshoed up to the Kananaskis Lookout.  The trail was hard packed.  We removed our snowshoes once at the Lookout and went to the upper deck for unobstructed views.  After flattening  the snow in the back yard, we settled down for lunch, views, sunshine and I took time to "remember to breathe".  It wasn't a difficult task!  I wanted to linger a little longer after lunch but that wasn't to happen today.  

My summit shot in new snow, blue sky, wide open space, big scenery.

Good Ole Glory Day!

...4 degrees...

...no wind...

Instead of returning the way we ascended, we settled on a route that would make a loop.  

We left the Lookout and began our descent, remaining on the Lookout Trail.  

The view back was magnificent.  

This is my favourite photo of the day!

Leaving the Lookout, the first section of trail was lined with trees sporting little icicles. 

The balance of the day was in the trees mostly except for a short stint along the Hydroline.  Even the shortest of elevation we had from here on in, I found tough.  The Moraine Trail led us to the campground and I enjoyed snowshoeing this section, checking out campsites for potential over-nighters.

Glory Day

definition

resplendent beauty or magnificence

There are two other descriptives I can think of that would be fitting to add to the definition.  

Shining

&

Sparkly

A Tree is a Tree is a Tree, isn't it?

What is it with trees lately? I notice I have been noticing them more lately. Have they always been there looking like they are looking? Or, only now have they begun to command my attention as I pass by? I am finding, more and more lately, that when I go through my photographs after an "out & about" day, there is always some kind of unique or beautiful tree shot. You may have picked up on that if you are a loyal follower of mine.

From the many nice tree photos in my collection, I picked out a baker's dozen to share with you in this post dedicated just to trees. You can judge for yourself if any of these trees appear to be demanding to be admired!

#1  meadow after descending Carey Ridge

#2  an autumn Friday at Burstall Pass

#3  Elbow River at Glenbow Ranch

#4  Craters of the Moon in Idaho

#5  along a trail near Dinosaur Park Campground

#6  bike/hike path at Glenbow Ranch

#7  aspens at McNabb Hills

#8  at the summit of McLean Hill

#9  slope leading to top of Mount Hoffman

#10  country road in Rosebud

#11  reflection in Yellowstone Lake

#12  looking across Tower Lake

#13  The Boundary Pine at Bull Creek Hills

From the above 13 photos, #11 is my favourite! It was taken on a gorgeous early morning at Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming this past June 2012.   It encompasses a few loves in my life.  Of course water because I have that in my roots so that love will be there forever, mountains, snow and my new found love, trees.

Do you have a favourite?

Brush with B's

My "B" options were galore!  One set would be wintry, the other springy.  I did not purposely pick options that began with "B", it just turned out that way.  The wintry ones were Boom Lake, Bow Lake, Blueberry Hill.  I committed to Blueberry Hill until bedtime last night when I realized I would not be capable of any "B" that was big today.  A springy "B" it would be and these options were Butte as in Mesa Butte and Brown Lowery.  

I picked the Butte with intentions of some kind of little loop incorporating Mesa Butte and area.  

I headed south out of the fog & due west along 549.  I was in search of spring-like and found it!  

I made it to the Mesa Butte Equestrian Campground, spotted the trailhead across the road that headed into the trees, geared up, waited a few minutes then geared down.  It was so quiet which is what I like, not a soul in sight which is how I prefer it.  But, I could not bring myself to enter that forest by myself!  I could not talk myself into just doing it, I felt bummed!  

I got back into my car and headed back east from where I came from.  

The fog laid low looking pretty. I pulled over just to admire it and to take a photo.  

I wasn't ready to leave! 

On my left was a steep open slope along side an aspen forest. 

Steep I didn't care for but open I liked!

Up I went!

Easterly View

I made it high enough to where I had an overall view of the winding Threepoint Creek.  

At the very top, I intersected a trail which I realized later was the Curley Sand Trail and I was on Curley Sand Ridge east of Mesa Butte.  I followed the trail for a short distance through the open aspens but when it entered the denser spruces, I didn't.  I turned back!  That trail would have taken me to Mesa Butte but I will save that for another day when I can share it with fellow explorers.  

This was just one of those days when everything felt off, including myself!

While on the Ridge and eyeing the creek, I made a mental note to check out that creek before heading home.  My short hike here did include a loop, at least I had success there.  I worked my way back down the steep slope and crossed the road to the Creek.  What on earth are these?  All sawed perfectly the same size and each with either a blue ribbon or a pink ribbon tied to the metal handle.  I wanted one, not sure why, they were cute, but passed on acting on that thought.

Threepoint Creek was...

...frozen and...

...full of reflections.

While my little hike here turned out not being on a "B" named trail, it was a brush with one.  Time to move on.  Instead of following 549 all the way back to 22, I turned off onto 762 knowing this was the direction I needed to drive to Brown Lowery Provincial Park.  Today's "B" appetite still had some emptiness that needed filling.  

Once again, I found spring-like!

Spring where I stood, winter where I viewed.

That view above was the only wide open view along the seven kilometers I did here.  The balance was along a trail in the forest, by a creek, through a small meadow and over a couple of bridges.  This was my first time here, I saw it all and have no reason to go back unless I want solitude and exercise and nothing more.  All places serve their purpose and by the time I completed Brown Lowery loop, I felt tired and was ready to head home.

Not Only High at Noon but......

.....high all day.....

If you are like me and have always preferred to pass on hiking High Noon/McNabb areas because you heard it was lacking in everything you look for in a great hike, then be sure to hop on board and ride out our day with me here!  I had a change of heart about heading here since my recent brushes with pretty aspens, rolling hills, and coral color ground cover. They are a new found love!  Between Short Stop, myself and the "purple" book, we were able to formulate a plan that would make for a significant, worthwhile trek.  

We found the parking spot and starting point which was our beginning and ending and which we hoped would have a big loop in between.  We had an early enough start that we could see the sun still sitting on the horizon in the far off distance as we began our first of many, many, many ascents.

colorful shades as the sun peaks through and rises above

Our first summit came quickly.  From what we could see surrounding us we already knew we were in for a smokin' day on High Noon Hills and Sandy McNabb Hills.  It was long before high noon when we reached the first High Noon Hill.  While we were in cowboy country, there were no outlaws to have a shoot out with but my gun was smokin' so I played a movie-like part for my summit shot anyway.  

be sure to keep your eyes open

you never know what you might stumble upon

a small nest resting on twigs a couple inches off the ground

As we carried along up and down the High Noon Hills, the reasons I wanted to hike here were happening before our eyes.  We had the sky open to give way to blue, the aspens were alive and due to the lack of snow it felt like a late spring time hike with the ground color.

We worked our way over the High Noon Hills down to and across the Long Prairie Creek then up the other side to the Sandy McNabb Hills.  Now it was noon and time for lunch.  We were finally getting clearer views of the snow capped peaks to the west and this was the ideal view to dine by.  For a day where the forecast was for high wind gusts, it was a nice treat those gusts never did blow our way.   

The sun felt warm and more warmth came our way as we continued to ascend and descend more hills.  

We reached the high point on Sandy McNabb Hills so that meant time for another summit shot.  

Sandy McNabb Hills were just as pretty as High Noon Hills.

notice Foran Grade under the aspen

The Hills were completed, it was now time to begin the off trail return portion back to where we began.   We elected to stay off the road where we would have had a clear obvious way back.  We stuck with our style of route finding, exploring and finding the more difficult unknown way back.  It's our style where you come upon the unexpected.   We landed at the South Sheep Stock Association Camp. 

We bypassed the gated buildings, shelters, wood piles and machinery.  

Instead we blazed a trail through the field of snow.  

We reached the last gate, closed it behind us.......

.....and headed home!

Today's hike was much more scenic and enjoyable than I was expecting.  In additon to that, it was more of a challenge then I thought it would be and that is due to ascending and descending so many hills.  These Hills were in no way, shape or form lacking in anything a great hike has to offer.  Instead of being high just once in a day, hit these hills and you can get high over and over and over again!