Splendid Sulphur Saturday

Every now and then while on a hike, for one reason or another I'll say I need to come back and redo this one.  The reasons vary.  It could be to do it in nicer weather, or at a slower pace or in a different season.  That was the case with today's hike up the Cosmic Ray Road to Sanson Peak and Sulphur Mountain.  If you are one of my follower's, you may remember when I did this trip but as a snowshoe outing on December 29 of last year.  At that time, I thought this could be a nice trek when there is no snow.  Today, the time was right and I was happy to have a few friends who thought likewise.  

A few minutes after leaving the Cave & Basin parking lot, we arrive where the splendor began.  While the larch show is drawing the final curtain, many other trees are still in the midst of Act 2.  The plan was to work our way moderately along this section but the beauty kept a hold of us.  It was a day to enjoy this Act 2.     

The first few kilometers followed along side the Bow River.

I have confessed before that orange is my favourite color.

It still is!

We reached the junction and then it was time to begin the climb.  In preparation, I had a quick snack,  removed a layer and pulled my poles out.  Very soon, we were through the dense trees, next the sparsely treed area then the wide open space.  Could we be so lucky one more time with no wind nor snow.  The view behind us was big where we could see down into the valley and the highway heading west.

Today's climb was so much easier then it was back in December.  It seemed like in no time we were eyeing the meteorological station which meant we made it.  Before I went any futher, I captured my summit shot while still feeling jubilant for having made it.  To this point, it was just me and my friends but that would change now and I knew it and prepared for it.  I took a deep breath and then went for it, I got caught up in amongst the hundreds of tourists who also have come to this magnificant place. (Note:  99.9% of the folks on the top would have taken the gondola up the front side of Sulphur Mountain).

The historical meteorological station on Sanson Peak.

I walked the scenic board walk and took in the views.  There's Banff down below.  If you click on the photo it will open large for you to have a grandeur view.  You can see the Banff Springs Hotel center bottom,  that's Tunnel Mountain right in the middle.  

Some of my friends continued straight inside the teminal building, shown below, to dine.....

.....while I chose to pass right by the terminal building in favour of finding a nice spot outside where there was shelter away from the people and with a nice view.   Two of my friends were on board with that plan.  This was where we dined!  Perfectly peaceful!

1:00 pm was our regroup time so we hit the trail back to join up with my other friends.  This is my destination shot taken on the edge of the helicopter pad with the edge of the terminal building to the right and Sanson Peak just above my head.

descending the Cosmic Ray Road

in the trees near the junction at the bottom

The last three kilometers along the Bow River was still as beautiful as it was six hours ago but now we did have a little bit of my favourite blue to add to my most favourite orange.  We were surprised that it was still early and realized how quick a trip this was which even included a full hour and fifteen minutes at the top.  Yet still, I did not want it to end and lingered as our day did near the end.

I don't need to wait until Monday, Thanksgiving Day, to give thanks.  Today, like every other day I am in our mountain playground, I am truly thankful to have my health, the time and the friends to share such wonderful adventures with.

Thank you!

Embracing Opportunities

With autumn upon us, snow beginning to accumulate, the gate to close December 1st, there is not a picture-window-size frame of time but more of a peep-hole size to venture into Rae Lake.  Today was the perfect opportunity to arrange a visit and it came with many nice surprises which confirmed this was the right day to be here.  The trail leading up hill from the parking lot was barely covered in snow which was a welcoming sight right at the get-go.

Then to arrive at Elbow Lake within about 30 minutes and see it frozen but not covered in snow made me so happy.  I wondered would we be fortunate enough to see the same at Rae Lake.  Only time would tell!  We circumnavigated the Lake where there was minimal snow and lack of wind, could this be a good sign.  

Even in the wide open Elbow River Valley and Desolation Flat, the snow was just around or below ankle deep and dare I say, still no wind.  How unusual is that for this area!  Things happen in 3s:  #1 little snow, #2 no wind, #3 golden larch trees!  The larch trees put on their show for us.  Desolation Flat does look desolate but yet, in a beautiful way.

Sporting my new bear paw mittens!

Looking through Desolation Flat to the far end.

We decided to go for Rae Lake the easier yet longer way.  The larch trees were glorious the whole way there.  We arrived at Rae Lake shortly after noon and how gorgeous the area was.  The Lake was frozen but not snow covered.  Given the ideal conditions, we took the opportunity to have an extended visit.  

Creek & Larches!

My destination shot!

After dining, we checked out around Rae Lake.  A couple of us built a stone walk way across the creek to get to the other side.  One friend made the Lake sing by skipping stones across the ice.  Such a pretty tune!   When it eventually came time to leave, it was hard to.  We were hesitant to, realizing how fortuante we were to be at Rae Lake and have no wind and for it to be on the warmer side.  This was certainly a time and place to embrace!

Since we were making good time, on the return trip we took a detour down into Tombstone Valley.

  From above we could partially see the devastation from the June flood.  

We descended down to the valley and hiked to the bridge that was reported damaged.  Even getting to it, was over rough terrain.  The area on our side now has a brand new creek and no trail. We worked our way through that.  The bridge was listing, it's not attached on the far side.  There is a steep bank to descend and then ascend.  We stayed clear of all that.

We ascended back to the junction then hit the main trail that would lead us back to Elbow Lake.  

The wind picked up considerably.

We put our heads down and faught it....

...and arrived back at Elbow Lake.

This time circumnavigating the other side.

It felt good to be back at Elbow Lake, we knew we only had a kilometer of down hill left.  We visited the campground and then stood by the Lake for one last look.  I took a few minutes to be thankful for how today turned out.  There were many little pieces that fortunatley all fit nicely together to turn this into a wonderful day in the mountain playground.  

Go for GOLD

In February skiers & skaters get to "go for gold", in August runners & rowers get to "go for gold", in September hikers get to "go for gold"!  The February & August participants only get to "go" every four years where as we lucky Calgary hikers get to "go" every year.  What is similar between the February, August and my group of September players is that only peak performers get to "go for gold".   A big day was designed and put out there looking for interest.  I jumped on board for the opportunity to "go for gold" in the Skoki area near Lake Louise where the larch trees would be putting on their prime time show.  

This prime time show is only prime for a very short period of time and even though the weather forecast was not ideal, we knew the golden colors would be perfect and just had to go for it.  Let another week pass and the show may be over.  Our first stop would be the Halfway Hut tucked away amongst the gold.   

Being around noon, made this the ideal spot to dine.

While my friends were inside having lunch, I ventured down by the creek side to capture gold.

As we carried along the trail and the clouds hung low, I realized this would not be the day for grand scenery photos but a day to enjoy what was up close.  I focused on going for the gold colors that were right in front of me. 

larch tree in the boulder field

We skirted around Ptarmigan Lake, ascended our way through rocks and boulders aiming for a ridge just above Redoubt Lake.  It was time for another break.  Before fueling up and gearing up, I capture a destination shot with Ptarmigan Lake behind me.

We meandered off the ridge and through the meadow....

....arriving at the far end of Ptarmigan Lake...

...reaching another meadow...

....where the view was splendid and intersected the trail to ascend to Deception Pass.

view of Ptarmigan Lake from Deception Pass

Surprisingly Deception Pass was easy to reach, but then again, we are peak performers.  It was a whole other season up here.  We just left autumn down below and arrived at winter up here.  The slight covering of snow just added to the dramatic views.

While going for gold was our main objective of the day, I was happy to have hints and teases of blue thrown in, especially when it was time for another lunch.  This was my view as I found a little shelter to relax and refuel.  We also took time to review our route for the day and formulate a plan going forward.

I see why the call was put out for only peak performers.  We would be traversing this steep boulder field aiming for that grassy knob in the center just below the glacier.  From there we should be able to eye our next destination.  

We made it to the grassy knob, made our way up and over more boulders, skirted a rock slab, and WOW, a tease of blue!  Down below us barely visible through the clouds, snow and sleet was one of the Skoki lakes.  What a tease!  This view told me that I need to come back next summer on a glorious day.  

We made it to Packer's Pass, then descended from there leaving winter behind and arrived where once again it was autumn and we could "go for gold" once again.  The meadows today were a pleasure to hike on, being spongy made it easy on the knees.

We arrived back at Ptarmigan Lake and strolled slowly.

a golden view

I declare I love larch trees!

a truly golden moment

We made our way back to the Halfway Hut and took another break there.  

I prefered to stay outside and enjoy the views.  

These golden times are so very short and I wanted to breathe in every second.  

Today was fabulous!  

We went for gold!

We won!