back to Bill......

..... Milne Trail to X-C Ski!   Driving in dense fog is not a problem for me, afterall I am a true Bluenoser.  I just did not like the thought of skiing in it.  I escaped the city and drove into dense fog as I hit the main highway west.  I experienced that before and ended up driving out of it as I neared the turnoff for Highway 40, well the same happened today.  Thank you!  Thank you!  My timing was perfect for a fabulous view at Barrier Lake while taking

a banana break.

I was the first to arrive at the Ribbon Creek Parking Lot.  I checked the track first before clipping into my X-C Skis.  I could see the indents from the last grooming. There had been snow overnight and no one had been on Bill since.  It was a tad bit of work but I knew it would be much quicker on the return trip following back in my own tracks.

                                             

                                               two girls came skate skiing towards me

                                     

There was not much snow on the ground in the trees yet just enough on the track area.  On a blue bird sky day with a new covering of snow so white, made for such lovely scenery.  It was so peaceful too, and that is not my typical Friday.  

                                                      

                                                                       I am not lost.

                                         

        As I said prior, there was not much snow off the track.  That's Mt Kidd behind me.

                 Spring-like with the colourful ground cover and a running Ribbon Creek.

                                                   Ribbon Creek & The Wedge

                                    

I defined the track for only one other soloist and that was all I saw other than the skate skiers.  I glided the last stretch back to my car which was the only vehicle in the lot.  It was a very quiet time in this area.  

                                                  

                        I enjoyed my lunch at the table which had this Inukshuk close by.  

What a fine way to kick off a long weekend.  It did not take long to feel that escaping feeling where all cares and worries got left behind.  In fact, I believe that feeling occurred the second I drove into the fog.  Thank you for today!
             
                               

Just One More......

......and I should be O.K. for a few days!  After another night of light flurries on top of this already winter-wonderland, I knew the X-C Ski tracks would be ideal.  I checked the groomers report and my map of trails and picked another new one to check out.   I had one more X-C Ski in me before hitting the highway home. First though of course, I had to devote some time to hiking the length of Lake Louise while it was covered in snow.  That took about and hour and then I drove back to the Great Divide parking lot to gain access to the Telemark X-C Ski Trail.  It was heavenly!  So white ! So pure!  So perfectly pretty!  

What a fun track #8 was!

There were numerous twists and turns and a few downhill sections where I got to pick up pace and then maneuver my way back into the track at the bottom of the hill.  It was so much fun!  I can't help myself, I still stop to take photos.  I don't want to forget what the views look like!  

It was a grey morning and my photos look black and white all on their own.  

It appeared that something was rolling in from the distance, could it be more snow on the way?  

It was such a beautiful sight following the narrow track through the tall tree section.  

I completed the full length of the Telemark Track from the Great Divide Trail and landed back at the Great Divide Trail with the long stretch to ski back to the parking lot.  Like I said early on here, it was heavenly.  I wanted to kick and glide fast but then again I didn't want this long weekend to end.  I just made sure to thoroughly enjoy every single second I had left.

It was a great ski morning!  In fact, it was a great X-C Ski long weekend.  I took advantage of the SkierBob accommodation discount so it made for a cheap yet priceless weekend that was worth a million.  I am truly enjoying this sport and look forward to exploring new tracks.  It feels like I have so much more discover about this and I am delving in with eyes wide open!  

my Kind of Afternoon Delight

After enjoying lunch by my window with a view of the Lake Louise Ski Hill and then a nap, I was keen to get back out on my skis.  I wanted easy and close by so opted for the Bow River Loop.  I checked the groomers report and it stated that Loop would be looked after today.  As I arrived at the parking lot, the groomer was pulling in on his big machine.  He told me he just completed setting track on the Loop and was heading off to do the Campground Loop.  My timing was perfect.  I took off in a counter-clockwise direction and the views were immediate as you can see here.

This track is all about following the Bow River with numerous bridge crossings, and being mostly flat.  The conditions were perfect for fast, easy gliding.  What I did experience for the first time were short sharp turns which were not in my favour.  In those sections, I kept coming out of the track. I like long straight stretches like going over bridges.

                                            

                                               there were peeks at the Bow River....

                                                       

.....then there were wide open vistas where the trail was as close to the River as could be.  This section captured a significant amount of my time, I admired and admired and admired it some more.

At one point on the other side after bridge crossings, twists and turns, I felt a bit disoriented and then saw the downhill ski slopes and knew I was heading in the right direction.   At that moment in time too, my friend and her friend were skiing towards me.  They confirmed I was where I thought I was.  We chatted for a bit then went our merry ways.                                         

                                       

                     I don't think this River ever fully freezes over and I like it like that.

Shortly after capturing this photo where there was finally lots of blue in the sky, the sun started to set. I was nearing the end anyway so there was no need to hurry.   I enjoyed the last views before arriving back at my vehicle.

I was pleasantly depleted for the second time today and ready for dinner then down time. 

Powdery Delight

I woke at 2:00am this morning, opened the curtains and saw snow heavily coming down.  It looked dreamy so I left the curtains open and watched the winter-white fall as I drifted off to sleep conjuring up dreams of it under my X-C Skis.  My dream came true when I arrived at the Village parking lot for the Tramline Trail that goes up to Lake Louise.  

The track had been groomed and set yesterday but lucky for me, a skier hopped into the track and defined it while I was gearing up.  Also while I was getting ready, a walker took to the descending track as you can see in the photo below.  The footprints in the track lasted for about two kilometres.

                                     

The conditions were powdery perfect, the scenery spectacular and the weather was wonderful.  At the bridge it was time to put my jacket away.  Even though the angle of ascent was gentle, it was work and it warmed me up.                   

                                      

Waking at Lake Louise afforded me an early start to the day.  The low sun hid behind the clouds & the trees & the mountains but did lend a bit of bright now and then.  The soloist before me was long gone and that walker took a detour awhile back. I enjoyed the peacefulness.

                                      

I could see at the Moraine Lake Road crossing, it was now my turn to define the tracks for the balance of the ski along the Tramline Trail.  I could also see only one vehicle in the Moraine Lake Road parking lot and by now it was getting close to 10:30.  Where is everybody?

                                               getting close to The Chateau

The climb was over, I made it to the top.  I guess that means I can call this a summit, so here is my summit shot in front of Fairview.  I did not go beyond here, I did not want to get caught up in the touristy rush.  I took a few minutes as it was so lovely here.  I noticed another trail to check out at a future date.  Standing right here I felt like I was smack dab in the center of a winter-wonderland.

I began the descent and knew it would be quick.  My waxless skis were working perfectly for me.  I did take a moment now and then still to admire my surroundings. In no time at all I was back at the bridge.

         view just before gong around the corner where it would be sail time to the bottom

Sail to the bottom I did, and it was a bumpy sail as those foot prints from that walker had not been skied over yet. I then arrived at the river crossing that would take me right back to my car. 

                                         

I enjoyed that Tramline Trail.  I am happy to be able to see new terrain and varying views along the way. I am liking that I can be out & about for two to three to four hours and end up with that feeling of being pleasantly depleted.  With it now being noon, I was ready for lunch and a nap.    

         

Winning the Great Divide lottery

As the business winds down, the fun ramps up and that means it's time to use up vacation days.  I loaded up my car with all my toys and there was only one direction to drive and that would be west. YES, go west my friend go west, there's gold in them there hills!  You will become rich!  I hit the jackpot  and feel overwhelmed with wealth.  

I felt like the richest lady on this planet the second I hopped into the Great Divide skier set track.  There  had obviously been a significant dump of snow overnight at Lake Louise.  I felt like I was presented with an amazing creation and it was right there, right before my eyes and at my X-C Ski tips. I usually don't care for skier set tracks but who ever you are, yet set them down perfectly.

                                             

I did not see who set the tracks, in fact, I saw only 7 skiers and two groomers and I like it like that.  The snow, the tracks and my skis were fast. I guess that means I would have to have been fast and I like it like that.  The scenery was outstanding and I like it like that.                          

                                     

As a X-C Skier, I don't know how to technically describe the snow.  I can say in my words that it was fluffy and soft.  I only have a bit of glide paste on my waxless tips and tales.  I glided far and fast.  I tried to pay more attention to the skiing and just enjoy the scenery instead of a snap here and a snap there and a snap here and a....

                                                      along the great Great Divide Trail

                                              

                                                              snow laden branches

                                             

Ninety minutes after I hopped into the track at the track-head, I arrived at the border between Alberta and British Columbia.  There was not a soul in site not even a dog sled dog. They had come and gone.  I enjoyed the quick glide down the hill to the sign but not the slow climb back up.  

Shortly after arriving back up at the top of the hill, a groomess came along on her machine and she was working wonders.  Then game a groomer on his machine and he added the final touches.  He stopped, we chatted and then we both went about our business.  Well, mine was fun business.

I glided and glided and glided my way back to the track-head.  I was thrilled to have covered the roughly 15 kms in three hours and that included stopping for a few photos and to savour hot chocolate and a tuna sandwich.  I struck it rich today and I am now enjoying my winnings! 

      

Sunday Morning Wing It

With life's happenings finally settling down for hopefully three months, it's game on now going forward.   I spent yesterday luxuriating and rejuvenating and woke this morning ready to be out & about.  I had no idea last night when I laid my head on the pillow what today would bring so first thing this morning I made a plan to wing it.  I wanted to clip into my Skis, especially after applying glide wax for the very first time yesterday.  I did not want a long drive and I did not want a challenge, not yet anyway.  My wing it would be Bill Milne, which after googling I found that the best place for me to hop into the track would be from the first parking lot on the Ribbon Creek Road.  I went for the second parking lot.  

It was very cold!

The sun was not above the peaks yet!

The gliding was glorious!

As the sun peeked over the peak, it lit up the meadow and created a sparkly crystaly sensation.

This was my first time X-C Skiing this track, I did have some kind of idea of what to expect though.  I was overjoyed with the beautiful scenery and that slowed me down in sections.  I also slowed down when I heard loads of yelping and howling and barking.   A couple came along and told me that racket was coming from the dog sled teams across the highway at Boundary Ranch.  

aiming for Mount Kidd and The Wedge

my stop spot shot

frosty fringes if you look close

I went as far as the trail goes before it crosses Highway 40 and made that my turn around point.  This was the first time I skied where there is only one track and had to move to the side twice as I partook in the proper etiquette.  The sun was higher and casting morning shadows yet it was still crispy cool.

along the way 

As I neared the end, the track doubled and that was a good thing.  

Many folks were hopping in now.  

I got one last photo heading home before more folks came along.

This X-C Ski outing was just what I needed.  

There was lots of time to just be.  

Thank you for today!

I've missed you so!

I put a little extra effort into getting my ducks all in a row as the week drew to an end.   My X-C Skis have been propped at my front door and I have been longing to clip in on a blue-bird day then just glide & stride & become one with them.  Ahhh, I have missed that so.  Then the stars aligned!  A plan was offered up and I jumped in with unbridled enthusiasm.

immediate view at the beginning of the Cascade Fire Road X-C Ski trail

beginning to glide & stride

on a blue-bird day

The others went ahead and I thoroughly enjoyed my pace & my space in this gorgeous place.  The temperature was low, the air was crisp and so refreshing.  It was no time at all before I had that feeling of becoming one with my skis.   I eventually arrived at the bridge which crosses the Cascade River.  The snow on the railing was too high to see over top, until.....

.....I reached the center and someone had cleared a foot wide section.  

This was the view between the high snow piles. 

I made my way to the far end of the bridge.  I skied this trail before but not to the bridge nor beyond.  At the end of the bridge there was a fork in the trail.  I pondered which way my friends would have gone and I had no idea.  Did they go straight or did they veer to the left.  I waited while wondering which way to go. I decided I better not chance going in the direction they did not, so had to make this my turn around point.  

view as I made my way back 

The return trip was loads of fun with a long section of gentle downhill.  I arrived back near the beginning and enjoyed one last vast vista before heading back to the trail head and savouring my tuna salad sandwich, bar-b-que chips, banana bread and tea whilst waiting for the others.  

Apres-X-C-Ski, we stopped in Canmore for snacks & hot beverages & catching up on everyones' lifes happenings.  

Today was perfection at its finest and all components ignited that spark for this sport.