Already Ran

 I have not been making much progress on the running front.  

Life's happenings have been putting a stop to it!

I woke this morning with a clear slate for a couple of hours.

I thought "just go run 5km"!

You can walk if need be!

The forecast was ideal!

I got one foot out the door!

Before I knew it, I was running the last stretch to home!

Success!

I already ran this morning!

She Sure Was

Checking into my Facebook account, I see my last post was dated June 12, 2013.  I remember just viewing the "Travel Alberta" add on television and hearing "Alberta, she's really something to see" as words in the accompanying song.  Those specific words in that song struck a chord with me.  I wanted to see her and I did!  She was really something to see, she sure was!

If you follow my blog then you would have seen the following photos posted throughout the summer.  I wanted to create a quick snapshot of the collective beauty so picked out some of my favourite sights over the last few months to share with you.  

Alberta, she's really something to see!

beginning of trail to Ha Ling Peak

valley below Buller Pass

meadow along Wilcox Pass

view from Harvey Pass

Molar Meadows during wildflower season

view of Banff from the summit of Mount Bourgeau

in the middle of Larch Valley

heading towards Helen Lake with Cirque Peak to the right

on Forgetmenot Ridge

along the Iceline Trail

trail to high point of Cavell Meadows

Two Jewels!

Kicking Horse Campsite + Moraine Lake = Two Jewels

Back from a day of savouring Lake Louise, I had one last night to savour my campsite at Kicking Horse Campground.  I was so fortunate to score such a great site by the river, I ended up staying an additional night and even considered another night when I saw it was booking up each day.  After cleaning up, I settled down for a Grumpy Bear beer and to transfer my photos from my camera to my IPad.  I relived the past days and realized how lucky I was.   I had one last fire and one last night in my HubbaHubba.  

This morning it was time to check out of my jewel of a campsite and then check out the sights in early morning at Moraine Lake.  Hundreds also believe this to be a jewel in the Rockies and had the same idea as me.  Being a mid week day in September and early morning, I was shocked at how busy it was.    Note:  come weekend time during Larch season I may need to be here closer to 8:00am and no later.

Moraine Lake

Reflection in Moraine Lake from Lakeshore Trail.

View near far end of the Lakeshore Trail.

It was not the sunniest but still afforded reflections.

view of The Rockpile

Tower of Babel reflecting

I spent close to two hours enjoying this magnificent place.  I have been to the front of the Lake but this was the first time I had the opportunity to explore to the far back side.  It certainly is a jewel!  Ready to now hit the road home, I leave fulfilled with beauty imprinted my brain.  

Classic As They Get

After yesterday's amazing day, I retreated to my campsite and enjoyed a fire and formulated a plan for today.  The Iceline Trail was as premier and awesome as it gets and today I would go for more classic and touristy yet still awesome.  I have completed the Lake Agnus, Big Beehive, Highline, Plain of 6 Glaciers + View Point a couple of times and this hike is a guarantee of being "left in awe" and I didn't want any "left in awe" doubts for today so went for it again.

A short drive east on the #1, a quick stop at the Village, arrive at the parking lot, gear up and by 9:08 I am at Lake Louise for a reflection shot and a few moments to own a small section before the entourage of folks take over which I see coming in my direction.  I made my get-a-way to get a way from them and aimed for the Lake Agnus trail head.

I worked my way quickly up the trail, visited Mirror Lake for a few minutes, then on to Lake Agnus.  

My favourite view point from the Lake and the Lake Agnus Teahouse is from the backside.  

I was on my own here!

As I made my way up the switchbacks to the Big Beehive I made note to look across to Mount Saint Piran.  When last over there I noticed these switchbacks and made a mental note to stop along the way and look across to the top of Piran to see where I would have been.  Yes, on top of that was where I was a few weeks back.  You can notice the Lake Agnus shoreline trail mid bottom just before where the reflection begins.

Lunch time on my own at the Big Beehive.

The larch trees have turned here and the snow will soon cover the Lake Louise ski hill right of the tree.

As I departed the Big Beehive, others began to arrive.  I knew the Highline Trail would be quiet and I made sure to enjoy that because there would be no more owning anything after I make my way onto the main Plain of Six Glaciers Trail.  Such a glorious view from this trail down to Lake Louise and the Chateau which looks like a little doll house.

I passed by the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse in favour of heading right for the Viewpoint. It felt like a struggle to get to the viewpoint today. It had to be one of the hottest days of hiking I have experienced in ages.  It was zapping my energy!

I took my lunch break low on the slope.  Before dining, I captured my summit shot.  Within the twenty minutes I spent here, there were two thunderous booms that rattled me but I could not see any activity.  Activity that was entertaining were unprepared tourisits trying to move along on this treacherous at times trail. 

View to Abbot Pass Hut.

On my descent, I noticed two horses on the lower trail.

How amazing an experience for those who love that sport.

Once the descent was done and the views of Lake Louise opened up, I finally felt energized.  I worked my way through the mass of tourists which I was O.K. with because I knew it would be this way and I choose to be amongst them.  This section of the trail was different this time around, I did not see a way to safely get to the middle section and play on the beach like terrain and in another section there was a trail of stepping stones through water where some stones were covered in water.  I was fine with leaving my boots on but I noticed others prefered to go barefoot.

I have completed this hike a few times now and I still appreciate the beauty.

I can still experience it as a new venture each time.

It's classic!  It's premier!

It's amazing!

None Other But Premier

NOTICE to my Austrian friend:  I hope you are able to check into this post.  I was not able to access your site with what you provided me.   If you go to my blogger profile, you will find my contact to reach me.  

When I woke this morning at my campsite by the Kicking Horse River and noticed the beautiful early morning sky then enjoyed my coffee not needing to be all bundled up for warmth, I sensed extra-ordinary would be on my side today.  I went to bed wondering what trail to hit today, I really wanted to do Iceline but not so sure I wanted to hit it solo on a September week day and Plain of Six Glaciers was also a classic one that I wanted to visit again and was fine soloing there. That sense of extra-ordinary was my defining moment, Iceline it would be!

Thirty minutes after getting into my vehicle and driving that steep winding road up to the trail head, I was ready to face the day.  At least I would do Iceline out and back but preferred to incorporate a loop of some sort. Starting in a clock-wise direction brings you to this magnificent view of Takakkaw Falls (Takakkaw is the Stoney Indian word for magnificent) just before the Whiskey Jack Hostel.  I could see a couple heading into the trees so knew I was not alone.

I caught up with the couple, who turned out not being a couple, both soloist going in different directions, he to Hidden Lake and her to the Iceline.  Her and I exchanged pleasantries and plans for the day.  We hit it off and off we went, neither I nor my new Austrian friend were never to be solo again for the balance of the hike which turned into the full meal deal loop.

Now higher physically and mentally, I was ready to enjoy the extra-ordinary!

Daly Glacier comes into view.

We reached the expansive land like no other and found lakes, rock slabs, moraines, glaciers, creeks.

I didn't know where to look but found I was drawn to the many colorful lakes.

Glaciers lined the horizon from one end to the other.

I did a portion of the Iceline Trail a number of years back but did have the opportunity to mount this mound so I was determined it would happen today.  It added a little distance and elevation to the day's tally.  I call this Summit Shot #1. 

This is my favourite view of the day.

Zoomed in on where we will soon be.

It's scenes like this that clearly make for extra-ordinary.

Summit Shot #2!

At the high point of the second mound which we mounted.

This added even more distance and elevation.

We made our way closer....

....and even closer, right to the lake edge.

This was the ideal spot to dine.

Another view of the colorful glacial lake.

We made our way along to where there were even more lakes.

We were nearing the end of this expansive land like no other.

We continued to follow the Iceline Trail through the firstly sparse trees 

and then into the thick forest for the descent towards the meadow.....

....and Stanley Mitchell Alpine Hut.

We enjoyed a second lunch here and chatted with folks  staying the night.

We took a few moments to check out the inside of the Hut.

After leaving the Hut, we exited onto the Little Yoho Valley Trail and from here on in, we were in the foreast with no views and made up for that by finding lots of stories to share to pass the time.  We then hit the Yoho Valley Trail which would bring us back to Takakkaw Falls and where we began our day.

What an extra-ordinary day this did prove to be!  I could not have asked for it to play out any differently then it did.  If you believe things happen for a reason today was proof of that.  Just ask my Austrian friend!  I so enjoyed sharing today with you!  I wish you a safe and wonderful adventure and hope you have many opportunities where you feel like you are "on top of the world" just like I felt like I was today!