Johnston Canyon & Ink Pots November 13, 2018

Johnston Canyon and The Ink Pots is listed everywhere as a must do when visiting Banff National Park.  For that reason for the prior two summer visits my friend asked to go there.  I said no and explained how unpleasantly busy it would be there.  For her visit this time to Calgary we included the Canyon and the Pots making sure to schedule it on a weekday.

I was surprised at how much ice there already was in the river and on the canyon walls.  I have never been able to capture decent enough photographers here and I try with each visit.  

We were fortunate to share the trail with only a very, very few others.  In no time at all we arrived at the lower falls and ducked into the cave. This is my friend coming out after getting her photos.

We carried on along to the upper falls.  There were no ice climbers today. While there was loads of ice, I don't think there was enough yet to safely climb.  

                                         

Now it was time to hike the three kilometres up and then down into the meadow that contain the Ink Pots.  The sky was looking pretty and I knew we would be in for incredible views.  

                                  

We each went about our merry way being drawn to what pleases our eye.  I went for the shadows and the reflections and the landscape shots.

                                           

                    

                                          

We wandered down to Johnston Creek and then followed it to the bridge.  It was a photographer's delight and we passed many many moments here.  

We kept putting off lunch in favour of embracing the scenery but enough was enough and we needed energy.  We hiked back to the Ink Pots and settled on a bench to savour out chickpea salad and hot peppermint tea.  The view was splendid but it was frigid sitting here. It was time to hit the trail back.  I went one way my friend the other, this afforded me this photo opportunity.

The hike back seemed to go by quickly including the climb out of the meadow.  Wearing our microspikes allowed us to just go with confidence, passing by numerous hikers who were just slip sliding away.  We arrived back at the car, geared down then hit the road to home.  We gave thanks for yet another beautiful day out in this mountainous playgrounds.

Chester Lake November 12, 2018

Snowshoeing is a sport that my friend has never experienced and she has been wanting to make a check mark beside that on her to-do list.  Between my schedule and hers this was the only time that would fit so we could only hope there would be enough snow.  I saw a report and photos for Chester Lake and that confirmed it was go time.  We crossed out fingers for blue sky and sunshine packaged together with scenery that would pack a punch.  This is how our day played out!

We took tonnes of time snowshoeing through each meadow.  I have been here numerous times but this time was different.  It was so enjoyable to experience it with a first timer.  I was very thankful all conditions were user friendly.

at Chester Lake

We arrived at Chester Lake and snapped a few shots then settled down to dine.  This was our lunch time view.  

After lunch it was play time.  My friend commented that I was silly and crazy.  Who else is I asked!  There was no coaxing her what so ever to join me.  She was right in there!  Who is silly & crazy?

As time passed it was becoming prettier and prettier but we needed to get back on the snowshoe trail and get on with our day.  Once again we spent tonnes of time in the meadows.  In my mind I was thinking what the heck, let's enjoy every second, I have my headlamp.

Once the meadow sections were behind us, we just went for the finish and arrived back at the car with a bit of time to spare before the sun went down.  I believe my friend is hooked on snowshoeing, she beamed from ear to ear through out our entire adventure.  This will be a day to remember!

Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit November 10, 2018

It has been ages since I arranged anything official for friends out in our mountain playground.  I was happy  that friends old & new were on board to join me for a hike around the Upper Kananaskis Lake.  While I always hope for the best when we head out there, I hope a bit more when it is official, I want it to be a pleasant experience for all.  I wanted pleasant, pretty, peaceful, perfect all those "p" words.  You will see from the photographs below, we received all that! 

When I woke this morning and looked outside I felt a tad disappointed, it was blustery, wintry, snowy and even sleety.  I checked road conditions and numerous forecasts for out where we were going.  Everything showed "just go, it will be fine" conditions.  We went, we were fine!  The view when we arrived at the Upper Kananaskis Lake was outstanding.  I smiled wide and when I checked, everyone else was doing the same.

 Early on there are many openings in the trees that afford grand views.  

 It could not have been more perfect than this to witness.

We worked out way further along the trail and into the forest where there were no views.  We made good time getting this section over with in favour of spending more time where it was worthy to invest a fortune of time.  Half way around the circumference of the Lake is what I call the "stump section".  I have been here a few times and always make this the lunch spot.  The views are wonderful and we had the sun shining right on us.  As you can see we had no wind.

After dining then it was photo op time.  My friends were keen to join me in a balancing act once they saw my antics.  It was necessary to be picky when choosing a stump.  The ice was not solid in some places.  This is my stump shot!

 Here is our group stump shot!

Further along the trail we hiked into the campground and checked out the scenery there.  It is always pretty here but today was the prettiest I have ever seen it.  There were signs of recent camping activity.

 view from the campground

 group shot on the shore of the Lake by the campground

 picture perfect

calendar shot

money shot

call it what you will

 I like the route around Upper Kananaskis Lake for the variety of terrain and scenery. 

 The bouldery rocky part of the trail was pretty with the sun shining down.

 along the trail through the rocky section

We reached the dam that divides the Lower Lake from the Upper Lake and now on this side the wind whistled and it was much colder.   We still took time to admire the scenery.

 We walked out onto a peninsula and this is the view from there.

We arrived back to where we started about six hours prior.  The circuit was done and so was I.  I felt happy that our day went well and was thankful for such beautiful scenery. We geared down, loaded up the cars and said some of our goodbyes.  How lucky were we to experience this area at its finest.

Thank you for sharing today with me!