Lots at the Lookout

Destination:

Kananaskis Fire Lookout

Audience:

Five Fun Folks

Mission:

Live Love Laugh

An ideal day to snowshoe to the Kananaskis Fire Lookout would be when the forecast calls for a blue sky with delightful degrees.  Today would be that day! Five of us bought into the destination and mission.  Arriving early at the parking lot, we owned it and we owned the trail all the way to the top. 

(reminder clicking on any photo will enlarge it for better viewing)

We made our way along Whiskey Jack to the intersection and to where the views began.  The sun was  beginning to peek through the trees and now that we were higher up, we noticed the low lying clouds being blown by a strong wind.

The Lookout Trail appeared newly groomed.

That push up Lookout Trail seemed never ending so when finally spotting the Fire Lookout, that yell of excitement was called for.  The open area was nicely plowed but we choose to get into the deeper stuff and make our way to the Tower.   There was lots to see at the Lookout and it began with the mailbox which we all signed on the way down.

the picnic table

the weather vane

the Kananaskis Fire Lookout

the whiskey jack

After taking in many of the sights, I went for the perfect spot to capture my summit shot.  I supported myself against the clothes line having a perfect tree to my side, the clouds below me and a wonderful view of Upper & Lower Kananaskis Lakes all surrounded by those snow covered peaks.

view from the the summit along Lookout Trail

I have elevated my matchy matchiness to a whole new level.

The polish shade is called "High Frequency".

I like how it matches my snow pants!

After an extended lunch time visit, we geared up and took off, first to sign the guest book and then through the snow to the view point.  Lady Osprey, Nikita, Agent-X and Short Stop all took time to feel the moment.  The view they are viewing doesn't get any better than this...

...and this is that view!

a perfect tree

The descent to the intersection was quick.  

We took a few moments to gear down and enjoy another kind of view.  

Feeling the need for just a bit more work, we worked our way into the campground checking out campsites.  I spotted one that had potential for a summer time stay and went in for a closer view.  This mid afternoon snow was heavy and made for harder work than I expected.  Thirty minutes of this was enough so we made an escape back to the trail.

It was time to head home!  

I'm happy to have been able to share the day with my four fun friends.  I would say our mission was accomplished.  We share a passion for living life, we have a love for being in the mountains and we all are able to laugh at even the smallest of things.  Live! Love! Laugh!  Yup, that's what it's all about!

When Ya Gotta Go, GO BIG!

No way that big bad storm forecast to hit Kananaskis Country was going to keep me behind closed doors!  Five friends felt that exact sentiment.  One small window on the radar showed a day of being 95% clear so we ventured out to where that window was.  McLean Hill area west of Bragg Creek was our objective for the day.  I hyped it up to be a full day adventure and it turned out exceeding that hype!  When ya gotta go, GO BIG!  

 We started early in a wicked warm wind but we had the trees to protect us. 

Ribbons marked our way.

Unusual for us, our high point was very early on in our adventure.  It was not easy to get here.  We were confronted with more snow than expected which meant this was a full on snowshoe ascent through the forest.  The summit area was wind swept and I was wind blown!  Twice here, the wind caught me and blew me a short piece away even with my heavy pack on my back.

my summit shot

The open area was big and beautiful!

It looked rough and rugged!

I just want to feel the moment!

It was time to head back into the forest for a fun descent through the snow.  

There were many ribbons to show us the way.  

It was approaching noon, so we aimed for a sheltered lower spot to settle down to dine.  We picked a bit of an open area in the trees along side an off road vehicle track.  There had been no sounds nor sightings so far.  Out of the blue my friend yells "there's one" and scrambles to the side.  It was grand lunchtime entertainment watching this side-by-side maneuver through the deep snow.

almost topsy tipsy

Thanks to Shorts Stop's booze balls, I felt just like that side-by-side looks!

This was a variety filled day with weather, trails, views and scenes.  

By very early afternoon the wind died down.  The sky to the west looked ominous.  We were refueled and now the tough part was right in front of us.  First though, I enjoyed this meadowy area.  It was peaceful and calm and was lined with aspens.  

Then comes Stallion Run!

A steep winding ascent!

In deep, heavy, wet snow at times!

We attacked Stallion Run like work horses!

(Photo posted with permission from friends.)

With a blink of the eye, that ominous sky was over top and conditions became brutal for a very, very short period of time but it felt like a lifetime.  This was that 5% of the day where it was forecast to be not so nice. The snow was heavy, wet, with whiteout conditions, the wind/snow combination offered up exfoliation which we had no choice but to accept.   The conditions cleared just as quickly and we continued to carry on through the foreast.

We reached the end of Stallion Run and found our way with the help of ribbons down to the road for a five kilometer hike back to the trail head.  Our second sighting of the day!  At this point he just became unstuck from a deep pocket of snow.

The wind howled here!  We bundled up and then changed over from snowshoeing to hiking for the long road home.  This section went by quickly.  We focused, we had a job to accomplished, we dug deep, forged on and in no time at all, well it seemed that way for me, we were back at our vehicles.

Like I said at the start, today exceeded the hype!  We worked together, we stuck together, we laughed together.  Today was most definitely deserving of a pat on the back for each of us.  Conqering today is an accomplishment to be proud of!  I am always thankful to have friends who were game to go.    

I'm already looking forward to more adventures with you! 

When I Think of 2014...

....I think of....

Thrilling Kick Off

Ya gotta know because my mountain passion is so strong that no doubt I would ring in the New Year in a mountain related way!  What a thrilling kick off it was starting at 9:30 am on January 1 instead of  the night before.  "I found my thrill" on Blueberry Hill!  A few friends who are just as passionate joined me in this celebration snowshoeing to the summit of Blueberry Hill and more.  

No one had been recently so route finding skills came in to play.  Luckily my friends were top notch in that category.  I do have a perfect GPX file of the route if  you are so inclined to want to venture into this territory.  Where you enter the forest is not obvious unless someone has been recently and there has not been a new snowfall.  Pink ribbons are scarce along the way.  Breaking trail, in deep snow, on a steep slope, for almost two hours is quite the work out but so worth it when you arrive at the picnic table and have this right before your eyes!       

My summit shot!

I found my thrill!

On Blueberry Hill!

We spent close to an hour on the summit dining and playing.  The sun felt good, the view was amazing and my friends were fun.  I didn't want to leave but after close to an hour of owning the summit, the skiers began to arrive.  We believing in sharing so packed up and made our way down Blueberry Hill.  For a good couple of kilometers we followed along a trail like this.  At the end of this trail….

…. was this!  The wide open intersection with an inviting meadow.  A few accepted the invitation and the meadow did not look like this after all the frolicking.  We just could not resist!    

We aimed for the Elk Pass Trail that follows along the creek.  

The pillows of snow were out of this world.  

It looks so dreamy!

After the dreamy pillowy section, we had one last steep climb.  

I was beginning to feel depleted.

 But I knew it was all fun down hill once we got this behind us.  

The long last stretch is all downhill right to the very bottom.  The snow was soft, untouched, about knee deep and perfect to run down the hill through.  I ran and I had a thrill!  I was glad it was over with when it was over with.  Total depletion!  Even though I was depleted, it was pleasantly so!  

This turned out being just one of those days, you know, just one of those days!  The right mix of fun friends, perfect snow conditions, ideal weather forecast and attitudes that were spirited all this nicely packaged together made for a memorable thrilling first day of a brand new year! 

2013 was...2014 will be...

It's true, you get better with age!  In the four years that I have seriously been "out & about" 2013 was a record year for distance (hike + snowshoe) travelled at a grand total of 816 kilometers.  This beat out 2010 by 5 kms.  I came in short on total vertical elevation gain though.  This year was 39 kilometers compared to 43 kms in 2010.  2013 was such a fun year, making new friends, adventuring to new places, pushing boundaries and taking more time than ever to "remember to breathe"!

I am excited for 2014! 

My chart is ready to begin filling in! 

I hope 2014 will be a year filled with fun adventures for all of you.  It can be if you want it to be!  Why not find some way to track your statistics?  Set goals for yourself.  Seeing the numbers grow can be empowering! But do remember, it is not all about the numbers.  Take the time to "feel the moment" and "remember to breathe"!