Prairie Mountain GOOD THING that.....

.....I have hiked to the summit of Prairie Mountain many times!

Also, it's a good thing I know you go prepared for everything when you head out to play in the mountains. I planned to hike lite today but still loaded all the extra gear in my car as that has become a habit to do so.  Conditions were a snowy whiteout as I arrived at the gate so made use of that extra gear then went on my way.  While it was snowy, I could still see my way as I ascended up and up and up.  My microspikes performed perfectly on the steep, slick, icy slopes.  

I arrived to the open where you could not see forever today.  

I knew there were two folks ahead of me, and not that for ahead.  I knew too, the summit cairn and flag were very close but I could see nothing in the very close distance.  I was closer than I thought when the couple appeared just like that. 

We exchanged pleasantries then I continued with my ascent while they began their descent.  I saw them disappear just like that.   It was eerie and surreal at the same time, to be up here in conditions like this which was a first for me.  It was a good thing I had been here before and saw the sights to be seen. 

today's summit shot on Prairie Mountain

The hike up here today was all about getting exercise and getting high.  After securing my destination shot, I made an about turn and worked my way off the summit. I was thankful for the footprints to follow.  The visibility was so thick now that I could not make out my surroundings.   The trees appeared as I reached them, I made sure to stay clear away from the edge or at least I thought I was clear away, who knows, I could not see the edge.  

Safely back into the forest and the not so safe steep ice slope, I gingerly worked my way down sticking to the sides of the ice where I could get a grip on ground.  I made my out of the fog and into the light of day.  Whew!  I looked back to see the line between visible and invisible.

After all the times I have been up to the summit here, few are memorable for being the best such as spending the night one August watching the Persieds Meteor Shower which was out of this world, my first Prairie Mountain Summit which was a confidence builder, hiking through the thick cloud to come out above them where you could see forever making me feel like I was on top of the world, and then this day that seemed so surreal.  

a Banff Day the Old Way

I admit a day like today should have happened long before it did.   

It was effortless to plan and put into place.  

It was a day of laughter & love.

It was a trip to treasure.

We shared a Banff day the old way.  Back in the day, day trips north, south, east and west occurred on a regular basis.  They were cherished times with many memories made.  Life happens, focus switches,  hours fill, days go on 365 after 365 after 365.  One day perspective is put in place and I realize it's time to reconnect, alter, revisit, adjust.  The tried & true will be there through & through. It's forever friendships that I am thankful for.   Long phone calls with some,  lengthy lunches with others, multitude of messages too and then there is sharing a Banff Day the Old Way.  

     

we painted Banff Avenue

The very first store we entered, a work of art caught my eye.  I admired it and moved along.  I went back to eye it again loving the vibrant colors and what it portrayed.  He appears to be raising his arms in celebration of reaching a summit where there is an amazing view.  How fitting!  After examing it closer then checking the back and seeing the title of this work is "Top of the World", the deal was sealed.  

We found a perfect place to settled in for lunch.  After wine and laughter, soup & salad, tacos & fries,  we then continued on with our day, shopping a little more and then a pick me up latte.  There already was lots to love about today and we still had some sights to see.

We made the short drive over to Lake Minniwanka which was a happening place at this time of the day.  It seems early in the season for the Lake to be breaking up and the ice formations to be appearing.  It was a photograper's dream and I took advantage.  

my feeling is the days are numbered for safely capturing photographers here 

close up & far away

thousands of ice slices

As the late afternoon drew to a close and we saw unfavourable weather approaching, we worked our way back to the car.  The lighting was pretty in this direction and I liked how the blue in the sky and the white on the peak reflected in the lake.    It was bright and cheerful which accurately describes the whole day.

 "Remember to breathe" took on a whole new meaning for me today!

There is so much to be thankful for!

a dreamer

A dreamer I am!  

The other weekend I sewed my recently purchased patch onto my backpack.  Each pack I own has an array displayed of places I've been.  Each of these places to see began as dreams years ago.  I knew I wanted to see the Grand Canyon and I could see myself there in my dream but not to the extent of what I would actually be doing there.  My dream came true the day I hiked down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel all in a day.  A number of moons ago, I added hiking in Maui to my to-do list.  I could see myself there in my dream but I was walking a beach.  My dream came true the day I hitch-hiked a ride up to the top of Haleakala and then hiked the twenty kilometers back down to my car.  I had heard about Joshua Tree National Park but never gave it much thought until I planned a trip to Palm Springs a couple of years ago.  The photos showed a land like no other and I dreamed of standing amongst thousands of joshua trees.  It was surreal the day my dream came true and  I actually stood there.  Then there is the Pacific Crest Trail......

I have been fortunate enough to hike four different parts of this enormous trail that runs from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Coast.  The scenery is incredible and being on the sections I have been on offers up a soul soothing sensation.  I dream of being on even more parts of this great trail.  Of connecting distances to distances I have already completed.  I dream of numerous one-way day hikes.  I will leave the section hikes and backpack hikes to the more adventurous than I folks.  I am not that great when it comes to tackling logistics.  There are ways to accomplish these one ways where you retreat to your basecamp (whether it be a condo, hotel) each evening but it takes work and works best when others are a part of the plan.   It is something to dream about.  

You voice an idea. 

You share a thought!

It starts with a dream!

Prairie View Lookout February - nice brings ice

With February ending like a lamb, whatever I choose to do I knew would involve ice. I have more control hiking on ice than I do X-C Skiing on ice so I headed to the basement to retrieve some hiking gear with intentions of enjoying this Sunday hiking to the Barrier Lake Lookout.  When this morning came, my motivation level was near an all time low.  I himmmed & hawwwed!  I waffled & wavered!  Yes!  No!  Yes!  No!  When all was said and done, I worked my way out the front door and was on my way.    

Today very easily could have been a chasing photos day, the opportunities were there. 

like here - at the turnoff to where life begins - Highway 40 

A couple of vehicles were in the lot before me but not a soul in sight other than the conservation officers.  I wondered why they were hanging around here and even driving beyond the gate.  (Later I saw them handing out tickets to all the owners with dogs off leash.)  The sky was wild when I looked back at the view before heading toward the forest.

icy reflection

The ice started soon.

time to combat that

this traction device is my confidence in these conditions

I made it to this view spot and admired it for a few mere seconds before carrying on.

a little monkey business

I reached the rocky ridge at Prairie View Lookout.  Having to contend with sheer ice on the steep sections, I already knew this would be my high point for the day.  I have been to the Lookout before and the iced up trail made it not worth it to carry on today.  I found a spot with a view to enjoy my snack and sip my beverage.  

my destination shot

This was such a pretty place to be today.  It's simple to endure the chilliness when the sun is shining down and the sky is blue and the clouds are how I like them and there is no wind to contend with.  I passed the time just sitting and just being, it was just like being at home.  Well, home is where the heart is and my heart was here today. 

The descent was quick with the confidence of spikes on my soles.  Many folks were now heading up, some trying to find a safe way, others sharing the level of confidence I had which was good to see.  Nearing the end, I took a look back to see where I was and to admire everything one more time.  

I have completed this hike many times in the past, at times more beautiful and other times more fun.  But, there was something special about hiking here today and I believe it was that this time around I appreciated it the most.  Thank you for today!

Upper & Lower Telemark Great Divide.....and yet again.....

.....I was fortunate enough to experience another fabulous day on the X-C Ski trails in and around and up and down the Lake Louise area.  For the kind of trails and conditions I like, this area is my only option as we work our way through an unusually warm and dry February.   Snow did fall prior which had some tracks over top and I went early enough to enjoy the coolness and crispness in the air.  

shadows are for sure on this kind of day

I began at the trail head for The Great Divide but turned left at the first intersection to get the biggest uphills done early and when I was at my strongest.  I carried on further and in another direction in this area to gain a different vantage point of the ranch.  I envisioned myself sitting by a wood fire, by a window, sipping a coffee, enjoying a view.

After some time on the tracks up top, I aimed for down and it was quick.  Good that I owned it so I  could freely fly to the bottom.   The wide open untouched meadows looked pretty and at times I caught myself wishing I had my snowshoes on and was forging my way along breaking trail to where ever.  

yes shadows are for sure on a day like this

As usual, the dog-sled teams were running, today they ran the meadow track.  

The Upper Telemark had the best views today so that is where I opted for my X-C Ski Spot Shot. 

pillowy shadowy 

As the morning minutes went on, the shadows got longer.  The tracks were slicker on the Lower Telemark and that made for fun & fast.  I realized I probably did not need that glide on my tips & tails.  I completed the full stretch of the Lower Telemark and popped back out up on The Great Divide.  

                     

                        

The groomers had completed some work but other work was still in progress.  As late morning approached many folks were enjoying a little Great D.  It was nice to see you D.W. and I hope you get to put loads of kilometres on your new X-C Skis.  I look forward to sharing trail time with you once hiking season is back into full swing.  

 shadows are for sure 

no matter how big or how small 

in and around and up and down the Lake Louise area

In the few years that I have been X-C Skiing, this year has been the most enjoyable.  The trail conditions have been the best since I started this sport.  Like anything, practice makes perfect.  While I have not made perfect, I sure have made progress.   I will continue to hope for more snow and more cold so I can cover more kilometers.  I am still in winter mind & mode and not ready to make nice with my hiking boots or hiking trails quite yet.  I may need to pair up with my snowshoe equipment to maintain that winter fix I am still seeking.

Tramline Fairview Moraine chase my heart's desire

Talk about love!  This weekend aligns perfectly to present lots to talk about.  It kicked off with being pay day, Mother Nature gave us snow in the mountains last night and an A1 forecast for three days straight, Monday is a holiday where we celebrate Family Day and Valentine's Day is sandwiched in the middle.  Pay day, snow, holiday and a sandwich, I love them all!  

All through this work week I watched the forecast closely with hopes of the X-C Skiing conditions working their way up to being dubbed ideal.  Each day it was progressing in that direction and then those in the know said go, so I went.  I had my plan in place and set off to execute it.  

I began by the Bow River near the Railway Station Restaurant in Lake Louise Village.  The climb up the Lower Tramline would be gradual but it was the descent that I was truly looking forward.  I applied glide to my skis last night with hopes of quick swooshie downs.

crossing the bridge at the start

No one, not even the groomer, had been before me since the few centimeters of snow fell last night so it was a little more work than normal for skiing uphill.  At the top of the first rise where the view is amazing to the valley, it was already time to delayer.  The clouds were clearing and the sun was shining.

This was my second time ever on this trail and the kilometers seem to fly by.

Before I knew it I was at the road crossing.  

I clipped out of my X-C Skis then traffic stopped to let me cross.  

After crossing from the Lower Tramline to the Upper Tramline, I carried on with working through the new snow in the track.  The tracks were still quite visible. I crossed over Moraine Lake Road and then continued to climb until I reached the Lake Louise parking lot.  

Instead of returning and heading back down, I aimed for the Fairview Trail and once again no one had been yet today, not even the groomer.  I began the climb aiming for one of my favourite places to glide through.  I had to put my herringbone technique to the test first as the meadow section is up higher.  

the section of Fairview that I love

I snowplowed my way down the blue difficult steep sections of Fairview.  No tracks were visible, no one had been and the snow was on the deeper side.  It was lovely just how I like it.  Then I popped out onto the Moraine Lake Road.  I was not the first here, the groomer had just been and his work created conditions which allowed me that swoosh I was after.  It was fast but not furious.

quintessentially quiet & quick

Back at the bottom of Moraine Lake Road, I veered right back onto the Tramline.  Lots of folks have a passion for mountain activity and today I got to share the trail with fat-tire bikers.  They were biking up as I was skiiing down.  No one had skied down yet today, so instead of breaking through the snow, I moved over to the track I made heading up.......

.......and swoosh, in no time flat, I was back down at the bridge in Lake Louise Village.  

After downloading my track, I saw how close I was to the Paradise turn off after popping out onto Moraine Lake Road.  I read where folks have entered into Paradise on their X-C Skis and this may be something I would like to try.  

I had my plan in place and executed it to a T.

This was what I desired for today, so now my heart is content.