Cox Hill (attempt) April 14, 2017

I like to think that sharing a day with friends anywhere in our mountain playground is a reason for celebration!  Into that mix add a special occasion to acknowledge and the outcome looks like what I have shared below here!  This Friday may hold a unique meaning for each, but the common thread amongst us for this day was friendship and fun. 

When the shout was put out for a spring time hike to Cox Hill I jumped on board quick like a bunny.  In the grand scheme of things our route would cover a very tiny portion of the Trans Canada Trail.  The star marks today's playground just west of Calgary. 

 zoomed in on the above map to show our little scheme section

It has been two years since I visited this trail which now has a new section near the beginning, a new bridge and this new sign.  At this point we begin our climb.   We are first on the trail today which needs to be broken.  It is somewhat easy going at first but the higher we ascended, the deeper the snow became and the tougher the going.  When the going gets tough, the tough take turns at leading the way.  

the first open view

making our way

It seemed to take forever to reach the first viewpoint.  

We had a quick visit.

I wanted a high point shot here because my feeling already was we may not reach the summit of Cox Hill.  Along the trail, we stayed in the absolutely center as best we could.  One miss placed foot and down to your knee in snow you go.

We arrived at the base of the slope which would lead us to the summit.  That summit cairn was so close but yet so far.  I moved to the right to have a look around and take a photo and sunk to my hip in snow.  We watched three hikers make their way to the top but we were all in full agreement this would not be happening for us today.  We could see where a section of snow already slid.  The wind was wild and looking up at times when the wind swept the snow, white outs occurred.   It was a beautiful view from this spot looking in this direction.....

......and in this direction.

We made a retreat and hiked our way back to the larger viewpoint.  

We found some shelter then settled down to dine.  

This was my view as I savoured my tea and tuna.  

how we choose to admire the view towards Moose Mountain

(note:  my only regret today is that I do not have a full group photo to share) 

jump like a bunny

ear assisted elevation gain

It is not an easy task to get a shot when everyone is airborne.  

Even with burst I could not capture it.  

No matter what though, there is still happiness in the air!

view as we leave our play place

On this trail there is lots of time spent in the trees where there are no views.  On the way back we checkout every open spot available to us to see the sights for one last time.

one last look

It felt like spring was in the air in a full on winter location.  I felt spring in my heart but not in my step.  While making the wise choice not to go for our planned destination, I still feel fulfilled.  Thank you for putting today's plan in place and corralling us all to come along to add our cheer and color. 

Grass Pass & Boundary Pine April 8, 2017

Now that life's chapter filled with decades of sitting side by side at our computers by windows with not much to view from Monday to Friday has closed, it's time to begin a new chapter of being side by side on our feet on a Saturday hiking to a place where the views are wide open and go on for as far as our eyes could see!   

We opted for Grass Pass plus a visit to the Boundary Pine.  I had in mind we could assess as we ascended and maybe include some add-ons.  We were first on the trail this morning or so we thought. We were caught up in conversation and oblivious to everything except that and the scenery.  Not long up the trail our reality check was that we were not the first here.  The prints was gigantic and could not have been any fresher.  Our casual conversation converted to hoots & hollers.

Not only did I keep my eyes peeled to the front and sides, I also checked over my shoulder.

We reached Grass Pass and carried on straight for a few minutes until Holy Cross and Mount Head came into sight.  You cannot see this as you arrive at Grass Pass so it is well worth it just to carry on.  We settled down for a snack and to put a plan in place.

The trail up to the ridge west of Grass Pass looked clear of snow so we went for our first add on.  

My friend commented that the terrain here reminded her of the terrain of her Atlantic homeland.  

We secured our high spot shot.  

meandered along the meadow

We captured some photos before settling down to dine in a sunny sheltered spot.  I said let's get a picture of us bracing against the wind.  She said let's get a yoga shot.  I am not up on yoga so she said put your arms up and hands flat (I didn't hear the part about hands together though), she also said lift your knee up (yet I missed the part about having it at a 90 degree angle).

It was time to hike over to my all time favourite tree, The Boundary Pine.  

The Boundary Pine

worthy of framing

The day was glorious.  

We had time on our side.  

We opted for another add on.  

We decided to check out the route south east of the Boundary Pine to see if conditions were favourable to safely descend.  As it was, we had that on our side too so went for it.  We chatted about "#noregrets" and "remember to breathe".  That just reinforced to enjoy everything about this day.  From colorful rocks and ground cover....

.....to trying to be artistic.....

We descended off what I call The Boundary Pine Peninsula, hiked along side the rocky outcrop, rounded the corner and aimed for the opening in the fence.

view on the other side of the fence

this was a fun area to photograph

We spent quite a bit of time here.  Earlier my friend commented that there were not many people here on such a beautiful day in such a pretty place.  On the trails we saw four people and one dog.  I told her that is one of the reasons I enjoy this area and for views like this.

The afternoon was getting on.

We were quickly loosing elevation. 

We were leaning towards getting to the bottom and back to the car.  

more leaning

taking one last look back up

going for the last steep descent on the grassy slope towards the trembling aspens

We reached the road and hiked beside it back to the car completing an unplanned but lovely loop.  It was an enjoyable day.  With our busy lives I sure do hope down the road we can hike side by side again to a place where the views are wide open and savour a day filled with "#noregrets".  

Wolf Creek & Mount Dyson April 1, 2017

an April Fools day filled with

joking to all joking aside

yet we are no fools

I faced today as if it were to be a celebration!  We are ringing in April on a sunny warm day.  It would be a day of friendship sharing and lunchtime stories & savouring.  Today's hope was to complete unfinished business from last weekend.  There would be opportunities to play & explore, joke & laugh.   This celebration all began with an easy crossing of the Sheep River and a meander through a meadow.       

There were times when we put all joking aside to ascend icy trails and find our way along, the frozen in places and not so much in other places, Wolf Creek.  Full attention to foot placement was a requirement.  Once that part of our morning was accomplished we popped out to a wonderful surprise.  The wide open vista was up there on the "up there" scale.

We worked our way up along to a lookout spot.

It was time to let go of the "all joking aside".....

....and yes, all seriousness aside....

view way down and far off

We scouted out for a perfect spot to spread out our goods.

After a lengthy lunch, we then evaluated our day so far and next put a plan in place for what we wanted our afternoon to look like.   It meant a steep climb up towards the summit of Mount Dyson.  At times we just needed to focus and lean into it. 

part way up 

my summit shot on Mount Dyson

a gigantic cairn

in a very small opening

The ascent and descent of Mount Dyson were all off trail.  Sections were steep, we traversed, bushwhacked, skidded along ice and down ice, rock hoped a bit and then finally completed our loop and came back out onto the meadow were we could once again leave the serious business behind and just meander.

we were curious to know what was inside

Where there were not vast vistas to admire, I looked for the beauty right before my eyes.  

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I love what Mother Nature creates.  

(crevasse crossing photo credit to Adventure Designer)

We safely made our way down the last ice slope yet still had the Sheep River to cross back over.  In between these the light of day cast shadows over the last meadow.  We were well into early evening and the lighting was pretty.  

There was much more water on the Sheep River but we were able to find our way around it.

With a sigh of relief after our river crossing, it was time to complete the last few minutes of hiking back to the parking lot.  With all we were presented with trail condition wise, some would call us fools for seeking out such conditions.  We are just a passionate bunch of friends who are fortunate to have discovered our passion and have the will to live it out.  We play safe, we have fun!  We are no fools we just know how to embrace April Fools Day!

Avant & Apres = You do the math!