Healy Ramparts Simpson wildflowers and so much more

I do hope you are able to stay with my story, 

get through all the wildflowers then 

come along with me for the,  

"and so much more"!  

The 27 kilometer planned route for today was to hike up the Healy Creek Trail, reach Healy Pass, ascend to The Monarch Ramparts, sail along it, descend to Eohippus Lake, continue to Simpson Pass then intersect the Healy Creek Trail again and aim for the end from there.  The Parks People said the wildflower season is two weeks ahead of schedule and that prime time is right now.  That being said, we went right now!  After all, the whole purpose for today's journey was all about the wildflowers.  Unexpectedly, this outing turned into an adventure with "so much more".

the beginning of the wildflower performance

Once the performance began, we settled in to enjoy it thoroughly.  The pace was that of a snails.  There was no other way to observe it.  We gave it our full undivided attention which it was deserving of.  Those Parks People were precise with their prediction.  

loads of red & fuchsia paintbrush

The views of wildflowers were 360 degrees.  

As we neared Healy Pass, the view of The Monarch Ramparts was visible for the entire stretch of it.  I wanted to be amongst it all today so sandwiched myself between the wildflowers and The Ramparts.    The colorful array was a sight to be seen.

approaching Healy Pass

Healy Pass

We found a spot off on the rocks at Healy Pass to enjoy the view and to have a quick lunch.  

The smoky haze from the north obstructed our view.  

We made our way up onto The Monarch Ramparts and began to sail.  It was calm, hot, humid and it was an amazing place to set foot.  We took time for summit shots and this is mine with the British Columbia mountains of the Kootenay area behind me.  

sailing along towards The  Monarch

Mid sail, we checked out the clouds in the surrounding distance.  It appeared to be fine for us, no rain, nothing dark near by.  Then, just like that, it came.  A bolt of lighting flashed right before our eyes and not even a second later a deafening crash of thunder rattled us.  Then a few seconds later after dropping our poles and dashing down slope, we found shelter.  We were amongst small, sparse trees, with our feet firmly planted and a good amount of space between each of us.   We stayed put for quite some time. When we felt it safe to do so, we ascended back up to the top and retrieved our poles.  Note to self:  that's two for two for lightning strikes on hikes with one of my friends! Hhhmmm!!!

We were now on the somber side, moving quickly with a purpose and that was to get off The Monarch Ramparts.  We reached Eohippus Lake and sat near the trees for our second lunch, in case we needed to make another mad dash to safety.  On the way down the flower performance started again.  A few quick photos was all I was in the mood for.       

The plan was for a 30 minute dining break but the bugs were plentiful and pesty.  We sat very quietly and fueled up.  A few of us meandered a bit, taking a shot or two.  We were oblivious to our surroundings other than having our eyes on the sky.  

After capturing one last photo, I suggested we pack up and get a move on.  

Still with our eyes on the sky and hearing thunder so very far away, we were ready to move.  

Out of the corner of my eye and it seemed like out of the corner of each of our eyes, we spotted brown movement 70 meters away.  That brown movement turned out being three grizzly bears coming our way.  It was a family, mom and her two big yearlings.   We became vocal as we hoovered and watched their movement before making our move. Mom eyed us once then twice then a third before gathering her young ones and making a mad dash away.  There would be no mad dashing by us in a situation like this.  We gave them space and time and then went on our way which happened to be in the same direction.  We hooted & hollered and remained as a tight knit unit.

The interest in photo taking fell by the wayside.  We just wanted to make our way quickly.  We reached Simpson Pass where we left British Columbia.....

...and arrived back home to Alberta, it was good to be home again.

Our day wasn't over yet, we still had about 7 kilometers of distance to deal with.  Our guard remained in place the balance of the way.   After nine hours of hiking we arrived back at the Sunshine Ski Hill Parking Lot.  Some were sore and some were tired but we were all safe.  We were presented with more than we had hoped for on this day.  But, when you are experienced and go prepared, play smartly and safely, you can look on the bright side of everything and turned those intense and scary times into moments to remember and even find bits of humor.  Glad I got to share this day with you! 

Mount Lipsett Sweet Saturday Summit

During autumn of last year, a couple of friends were game to join me on a hike up to the summit of Mount Lipsett but we were turned away at the trail head due to a grizzly bear closure.   This destination remained on my to-do list for when the time was right, and today was D-Day.  I had a few more friends on board this time, we were to be strength in numbers if need be.  We went for the early bird start.  What seems to be trending lately is hot & humid right from the start and today was on trend.  

The first few kilometers were thick forest lined, boggy in patches, yet what made up for that were the humongous amounts of paintbrush flowers.  We were teased time and time again with hints of beauty between the trees and I had enough of that teasing and was thankful when it was over.  At this point the wide open sights start.

oogling the outlier

what's not to love

We followed the trail along the grassy slope. 

We were afforded a view of the magnificent Mist Mountain.

Just before reaching the summit's rocky ruggedness, the wildflower show began. 

We gingerly worked our way along the ridge-like summit to the far end where we had a view of Highway 40 down below and we could see Highwood Ridge & Grizzly Ridge off to the left.  I picked my spot, safely settled into it then secured my summit shot.

We owned the summit so spread out and found ideal relaxing spots to dine.  I nestled in between boulders, lounged back and enjoyed this view as I savoured my greek salad, salmon sandwich, gouda cheese and sliced apple.  The clouds did a little dance while I dined and I appreciated that.

passing time after lunch by enjoying everything the summit offered up

We extended our day by heading out to the far end of the outlier.  I knew the wildflowers would be wonderful but they far exceeded my expectations.  The rock shades and formations just made scenes like this golden opportunities.

pretty purple

After exploring the main summit and then the outlier we next headed off to another high outcropping that even sported a summit cairn.  This spot was deserving of some time so we opted to settle down and put our feet up.  

When we descended that last high point, we aimed for the forest to complete the last few kilometres.   I knew the lighting would be better to capture the paintbrush so took care of that business. Now it was just a matter of retracing our steps back to the trail head.

I always have hopes for how an event will turn out and today the outcome reached a higher level well beyond what I hoped for.  I feel very fortunate when that happens and I owe big kudos to my friends because they are the icing on the cake.

Pigeon Mountain "Beneath thy shining skies"

Of course, you have to know my Canada Day is going to involve everything that encompasses being "out & about", making sure to "remember to breathe", and feeling "on top of the world".  Pigeon Mountain packs a big punch considering how close it is to home which makes it the ideal mountain to   celebrate on and to display how proud we are of "our home and native land".

"Beneath thy shining skies", we had heat and humidity to contend with right from the get-go which was at 8:55 am.  This made for a slow ascent but hey, that pace afforded us the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the carpet of wildflowers and the parade of peaks which began as soon as we exited the trees.

the up seemed never-ending

After a couple of gigantic ups and tiny downs, "from far and wide" we could finally see the main summit of Pigeon Mountain.  It seemed quite a distance away over there on top of that light brown section in middle center.   For a matter of seconds I wondered was I going to make it to there on this day.  The humidity and heat were taking a toll!  I came to my senses and gobbled turkey bacon and gulped gatorade.  That's my winning combination!

We reached the stretch of meadow before the rocky top and just strolled along.  It was along here where you could see forever then understand "how dear to us thy broad domain" is.  Oh Yes, "Oh Canada, we.....

stand on guard.....

.....for thee"!

my summit shot

"strong and free"

A short distance further down slope was an ideal place to dine.  Here we could admire where the "great prairies spread and Lordly rivers flow".  We had that blue sky right above us while clouds  covered the surrounding peaks.  Today's main course of quinoa, penne and chickpea fueled my dwindling fire.    

on our way across the meadow towards our next destination

a short steep climb over scree & talus is ahead

and that brought us to here

now looking back at where we just were

on the high point at the top right

"with glowing hearts"

There would be no more ascending left, it was all downhill from here.  

This vast meadow was covered with wildflowers of all kinds.  

Route finding was necessary as we neared the end of the meadow.  We needed to make sure we entered back into the forest in the correct spot.  After some admiring while meandering, the faint trail then became visible.  We followed it down slope, passing by yet more wildflowers.  We entered the forest, met up with the Skogan Trail, then it was all business to cover the six or so kilometers back to the trail head. 

I was pleasantly depleted by the time our Canada Day celebration was over and I like it like that!  On a day that began with a few hiccups, I wondered was this going to be "one of those days"?  It did turn out being "one of those days" but of the opposite kind. What a glorious Canada Day we had!  With the pretty scenery and fun friends, I felt like I was "on top of the world"!