Nose Hill October 9, 2017

It wasn't until when I woke early this morning that I took time to wonder what would my Thanksgiving Monday look like.  I wondered for a minute then my plan was in place.  I hopped out of bed and began to execute that plan at a quick pace so I could make it to Nose Hill Park before sunrise.  Today's the day to be extra thankful and I wanted to acknowledge that by watching the sun rise and then admiring the earthy autumn hues.  This photo captures exactly what I had hoped to see but I witnessed lots more than just this which was more than I could have hoped for.

 I waited and watched as the sun broke through the horizon.

 The sky filled with amazing sunrise shades.

It was fresh and cold and I was bundled up for that and needed all the layers even as I began to ascend.  When I was ready to explore the Hill I turned my back to the sunrise to see fields and hills of orange.

All I could think of was alpenglow!

It looked like the place was on fire!

shadows stretched on for eternity

 I found my way to the rock circle and took time to have my breakfast.  

The lighting was gorgeous so I savoured my breakfast instead of devouring it.  

 It was an incredible feeling to be here this morning seeing all there was to see.  Even though it was still early I could see another parking lot entrance off in the distance which was full.  Many others had the same idea as me.

Mother Nature at her finest!

The whole while my eyes were focused on what was in front but I did take a look back and the sun was still working its way above the trees.  I knew I needed to stay low to capture the beauty the light was causing.

still more trails to follow

 nothing other than just a plain simple pretty picture

 autumn meets winter's snow capped peaks  

and yet another trail calls

I both figuratively and literally got lost on Nose Hill this morning.  I did not pay attention to where I was going as I just went with where the colors called.  Every now and then I ascended to a high point to get a lay of the land and my bearings.  That offered me even more vibrant vistas.

Feeling visually fulfilled and even somewhat exhausted from all the witnessing of beauty it was time to head home.  I exited Nose Hill Park with a broad smile appreciating that I am pretty fortunate for what I have in my life. 

Thank you!

Healy, Simpson, Sunshine October 7, 2017

Deja-vu from my last post of hiking up to Gibbon Pass Peak, "you may want to settle in and get cozy for our story".   We experienced yet another fabulous day in our mountain playground, this time exploring on trail throughout Healy Pass, Simpson Pass and up to Sunshine Meadows.  I did not intentionally go for the larches, I hoped for blue sky, I am not quite ready for snowfall and cold, my wish was for a touch of snow already on the ground.  I wanted a long day of incredible beauty and a fun time with friends.  Boy oh boy!  What we were afforded exceeded my expectations by a walloping ten-fold!  So sounding like a broken record here we go again,  "you may want to settle in and get cozy for our story". 

At the start it's a long trek in the trees with a few open opportunities so when they presented themselves we took full advantage.  We were first on the trail and I like it like that because we get the pristine, perfect, pure experience.     

I thought the tree-trekking would never end.  I remembered we would come to the beginning of the lasting opening where we would have our first larch viewing and a bridge to cross over Healy Creek.  We did get there but just not as soon as I expected.  The wait was worth it.  I was surprised to see the majority of the larch trees still in the prime of their lives.

fitting in with the scenery

breaking trail in the new snow

snow collecting on the larch needles

As we neared Healy Pass the sky turned dark and threatened to do something but nothing materialized.  My original hope was to sail across The Monarch Ramparts but after doing my homework I found it to be included in the Parks Canada restricted area, one side for Banff National Park (to protect the land and the grizzly habitat) and the far end by The Monarch for Kootenay National Park (due to the wildfires).

The Monarch and it's Ramparts.

We reached Healy Pass, checked the posted Restriction Maps, then made our way down slope towards Egypt Lake to find a dining spot.  We sat to the side where we had a view and I savoured my sandwich, apple, energy bar, boiled egg, tortilla chips and tea.

sharing the day with friendly friends

just a taste of the fun to be had with snow

my Healy Pass destination shot

We packed up then hiked back up the hill to the Pass then downhill for quite some time by lakes, by tarns, through larch forests, all the while appreciating the beauty and how fortunate we have been so far already.

a snow squall with humongous snow flakes

It was into the afternoon and time for another lunch.  We opted to dine at Simpson Pass sitting in Alberta and looking at British Columbia which was just a few feet from our feet.  As we dined the sky began to clear again and the warmth we felt was wonderful.

The climb out of the valley up to Sunshine Meadows took some time.

It was too pretty to just pass by plus the climb went on and on and on.

at a flat section along our ascent

We arrived up at Sunshine Meadows and the view was outstanding.  

I eyed Quartz Ridge off in the distance and where you would pass by along the Citadel Pass Trail.  That trail has been off limits ever since the wildfire began back in July. We slowed our pace through the Meadows so we could have loads of time to "remember to breathe" for our own personal reasons.

sparkly

larch tree showing off it's shadow

We carried on aiming towards Sunshine Village.  We could now see the ski hills which ignited a fire in the skiers amongst us.  I sensed their hopes were to be hitting the slopes soon.  The lighting was so pretty now that we were into the very late afternoon.

a resting spot just before The Village

Sunshine Village

The only task we had left was to hike down the road back to the Bourgeau Parking Lot.  

Along the way we encountered an opportunity for entertainment.  

It was a relief to arrive back at our vehicles where we made good time in gearing down in favour of quickly getting into our vehicles to softly sit down, warm up then head on home.  For me today will be memorable for many reasons.  How fortunate for some of us to experience three weeks in a row of witnessing larch trees at their prime.  I have never covered so much ground in one day in this area of our playground.  It set a new standard for when down the road I venture back here.  Thank you for sharing this day with me and letting yourselves just be, just being one with this pretty place.

Gibbon Pass Peak September 30, 2017

All that was necessary to experience another fabulous day in our mountain playground came together so easily & nicely and played out that way through our entire day exploring the way to Gibbon Pass "Peak"!  What I know for sure is that the larch trees were at their absolute peak for every second of the day that we were hugged by them.  I don't know about yesterday or if they will be prime tomorrow but being lost in the beautiful larches today was all that mattered!

NOTE:  You may want to settle in and get cozy for our story.  

We arrived bright and early at the trail head happy to see the gate open this time so we could just drive right on it.  My choice was to start at the Castle Junction trail head and do the hike via the Twin Lakes Trail to Lower Twin Lake.  I wanted the best chance possible to accomplish reaching that "Peak" this time.  This way would be a cumulative elevation gain of close to 1300 instead of 1700 from the other trail head.

 It is somewhat of a trudge from the trail head up to Lower Twin Lake.  

We got that done and out of the way as quickly as we safely could.  

We took a little time at The Lake.  

 The trail sign for Gibbon Pass at Lower Twin Lake.

We began the next climbing section anxious and excited at the same time to see what the larch trees would be like at The Pass.  On the last section of the trail up, the trees began to appear.  The trail was lined with them and I felt like I was being hugged by them.  They were gorgeous!  We came out into the open and I was in awe.  I looked up to see The Peak we would be ascending to.

something brewing off in the distance

We invested some time here at official Gibbon Pass as we would not be returning to this section on the way back.  It was cold, it was windy, there were flurries in the air here and there.  We gobbled down some energy then went on our way to use it up. 

passing through the meadow towards the up trail

following the early part of the trail up to The Peak

further up

We arrived on the ridge in no time and then eyed our destination.  

It would be that top point in the center of the photo.  

My Gibbon Pass "Peak" summit shot!

The consensus was it was fine enough to dine at the top.  We had a splendid view in front of us from Shadow Lake to Lower Twin Lake and everything in between.  We owned this whole Pass & Peak for about 99.9% of our visit.  As we began to pack up, a threesome arrived.

view of Shadow Lake below 

I wanted to hike the entire stretch of the Ridge.

 view from the ridge

 view from the ridge and seeing our summit spot to the right

 along the ridge

one long last look

We made our way through the larches as we descended opting for some final hugs.  As you can see the ground cover was so pretty against the golden larches.  We popped out right onto the trail, completed a loop and now it was time to return the way we came.

I was feeling a bit of sensory overload.  

Such a feast for the eyes!

We fueled up at Lower Twin Lake and then began the long trek back through the forest to the trail head.  I always have a hard time with this portion of hikes.  I never want to leave and I continue to look back.  I took another one last look back before entering the forest.

 aiming for the forest

Those eight kilometres descending through the forest seemed to go on for longer than eight kilometers.  I just reminded myself this option of all down hill at the end sure beats lots more up at the end along the other route.  We were very quiet and I just wanted it over with and I knew the others did too.  We crossed the last bridge turned the corner and there was the parking lot.  The very last view of our day was this of Castle Mountain.  We began on a high note, we ended on a high note and there were so many amazing notes throughout our entire day!

I was so glad we stuck with the plan considering what the forecast was for our day.  That snow and rain did not happen.  This was a day to cherish.  Everyone showed their expertise at embracing.  I believe the larches were at their absolute prime today and will be on their way to bed for the year any minute now.  Thank you for the most amazing experience in our mountain playground!

Note to self and you:  Arriving back at carpool in the city in pitch dark, we encountered an awkward few moments in the parking lot.  I made sure the doors were locked and we stayed in the vehicle while he watched us and we watched him.  I am not sure what he was up to.  There were only our other two parked cars in the lot along with one other.  He leered again as did we right back and then he began to run away.  I turned my vehicle to face my friends' cars and shone my lights bright while they safely got into their cars and drove off.