Winter Waters

Just like yesterday, once again I needed to test the waters before committing to spending an extended period of time being out & about. I believe this morning was the coldest temperature I have ever experienced. With layers of wool and down, from head to toe, I braved it early for fine scenery shots with little hassle of avoiding a multitude of folks. Lakes are a trending theme for this escape and this is the creek just before Lake Louise. I like when there is open water in winter.

Every winter an ice castle is built on Lake Louise and the area around it is maintained as a skating rink. I opted to leave my skates back at the suite for now, and chose to hike across the Lake, starting off by making my way through the ice castle door.

What's winter without a snow angel? Here's mine at the center of frozen, snow covered Lake Louise framed at the back by Mount Victoria.

With the proper gear on, I didn't mind being out & about. This was a pretty place to be this morning and I just wanted to feel the moment. By the end of the hike, my brown hair was frosty white, I felt invigorated and ready to get to another lake.

Before heading to my car, I checked out the ice sculptures in front of the Chateau from the contest a few weeks back. Figuring skating is my favourite Olympic sport. GO CANADA!

Just a half hour west of Lake Louise is another famous lake, Emerald Lake. Yes, a jewel this is! I ate my lunch in the warmth of my car before hitting the 5 km trail around the Lake. I expected to snowshoe but conditions favoured micro-spikes. The area needs new snow. More of that winter water afforded me a lovely reflection of the Lodge.

Emerald Lake was covered in cross country ski tracks but there were untouched sections in meadow areas of that dreamy pillowy snow.

At the far end of the Lake, there were options for skiers to head off in different directions that looked like this. I carried on with the Loop.

Nearing the end of the Loop, the trail passes by the cabins. Sure looks like lots of snow on the roof. Emerald Lake was a quiet place today. There were a dozen or so skiers and a handful of hikers.

I wasn't ready to call it a day yet, so aimed for Peaceful Pond adding on another 45 minutes. 

 It was peaceful and beautiful and led to more open water on the way back.

I safely found a way down to the creek side. 

 The lighting, mountain, trees, open water snow mounds and shadows made for such a scene.

What a view to end my visit to Emerald Lake on! These winter waters today were the tops. It seemed warmer now, it probably was, but everything I saw while out & about today really warmed my heart.

Only The Beginning

I'm so happy today is finally here! It's play time and today is only the beginning. Most folks' winter escape is to the warm sunny south, mine is to the cold west. As I was counting sleeps until this day, I also watched the forecasted temperatures dive down, way down, really way down! Being somewhat experienced, plus having proper gear, I had full intentions of still escaping knowing I could still be out & about, although not for extended times.

My first stop was Johnson Lake in Banff National Park. At a distance of roughly 3 kilometers around the Lake, this would be a good test of the frigidness. With the Lake being frozen, I opted to hike around right on the Lake instead of in the trees. At the far end, I went for my "happy to be here" shot in front of Cascade Mountain.

It was truly a perfect time to be here. I have to admit, I don't mind the cold and would much prefer it as it comes with a clear sky and gorgeous scenery, rather than warmer with cloud cover. Before hitting the other side of Johnson Lake for the hike back, I captured this photo of the whole Lake.

A short distance down the road is Lake Minniwanka. I read there is potential to safely skirt the shore for quite a distance offering up opportunities for scenic ice formations. I spent a good two hours hiking here, the whole time in the warmth of the sun.

Here is an everything photo, blue sky, puffy cloud, mountain, lake, ice formation and rock. 

 How on earth did that ice get up on that rock!

a view inside

scene along the way

frozen upwards

When I saw this hunk of ice from a distance, I figured someone placed it there. Once I got up close and saw a portion of the tree stump inside the ice, once again I asked, how on earth did this get here! All I can say is thank you Mother Nature!

suspended drops

I am not sure of the time frame for when it is safe to hike on Lake Minniwanka but today was an ideal day to do so. I noticed a few other folks were enjoying it as much as I was. I made my way for quite a distance then by mid afternoon did an about face and strolled back. This was the view behind me.

It was time to go about the checking in business and then settling in by the fire with a glass of wine, crackers & cheese, and maps to map out tomorrow's place to play.

A Great Scramble

I was disappointed arriving home from work yesterday to a message saying Saturday's snowshoe event will not be taking place.  I felt that disappointment for a very quick second, remembering that this week I was reminded how life can be short, so now I only had time for feeling happy so began to scramble on lining up a new objective.  By the time I lay my head on the pillow, my Saturday was re-planned.   

What I quickly scrambled together last evening was for an early morning snowshoe visit to Rawson Lake and then take time to explore a portion of Upper Kananaskis Lake.  My last visit to Rawson Lake was in 2010.  It's a long drive, a short route, a busy trail all which are none of my favourite things.  I can fill today with all my favourite things and find a renewed enjoyment of this area.

With my early arrival at the parking lot, there was one other person gearing up getting ready to snowshoe off.  Then I was off.  It was peaceful and beautiful.  The early morning light was gorgeous. 

I passed by the other soloist and made a quick scramble along the final flat section to make sure I was 1st at Rawson Lake on this 1st day of February.  Today was the prettiest I have ever seen this place looking.  It was picture perfect!  Pure white untouched snow, bright blue sky with scattered fluffy clouds, a dusting of snow on the trees and a magnificant mountain...all my favourite things! 

Rawson Ridge in the middle

looking back at where I arrived at the Lake

my destination shot

on Rawson Lake with Mount Sarrail behind me

It was still way too early for lunch, so after fully enjoying all the views, I aimed for the trees to begin the trip back down to Upper Kananaskis Lake.  I exchanged pleasantries with the other soloist and off I went.  This view looks dreamy and pillowy to me, and a view like this is now one of my favourite things.

Instead of taking the trail all the way back, I veered off, down over a small hill to the edge of Upper Kananaskis Lake and followed the shoreline.  I like wide open more than tree lined trails.  I could hear and see folks through the trees on the trail heading up to Rawson Lake.  I owned where I was out here on the edge!

Mother Nature's designs were phenomenal.

Deja Vu!  How is that hunk of snow balancing on that rock!

I know, the snow is covering an ice berg.

This was mesmerizing!

I literally laid down on the snow so I could have an up close and personal view.

I stayed on the edge of the Lake and instead of heading back to the car when I arrived below that area, I carried on around the Lake.  I didn't have enough of pretty yet to call it a day.   Such a fine view of the mountain range toward the Highwood Pass.  

This is crazy how the snow is covered in ice.

( a reminder that clicking on any photo will enlarge it)

The snow was deep on this side of Upper Kananaskis Lake with lots of big drifts around.  I was on my own and did not feel comfortable going any further so this was my turn around point.

Get my drift about the big drifts?

By the time I arrived back at my car, it was shortly after lunch time.  I geared down and then bundled back up, turned my car to where I had a front row view to wonderfulness and then dined.  I truly wanted to embrace today, I wanted this day to count and to mean something. I scrambled to make something happen and this is where that scrambling got me. 

I declare, I embraced today big time!

Be patient, and the stars.....

...will align for you!  I will admit patience is not my forte in most circumstances but for certain things in life it measures in with the highest of ratings.  Having patience to wait for the perfect day to venture towards Watridge Lake and Spray Lake paid off.  I was happy some friends were game to go with me.  While this was my 3rd time in 6 years to check out this area, it seemed like a whole brand new experience today.  What was not new or different was the route, distance, elevation gain and time.  With minimal elevation gain and on the shorter side of distance, it never fails to take a long time to complete. I realized today why. The roughly 6 kms that follows the River to the Lake is packed solid with scenery of all sorts and we seemed to stop every few minutes to admire what we were seeing.

Weather conditions play a big part in star alignment!  

It was ideal today with sunshine, blue sky, no wind, and warm temperatures.  

This was our first real view of the day.

In no time at all, we arrived at Watridge Lake.  

We checked out its' conditions first then made our way to the far end.   

My Watridge Lake destination shot!

Next we put our route finding skills to work, along with trail breaking and a little log hopping.  Eventually we made it back out onto the trail where we worked out way to the bridge that crosses the Spray River.  There was lots of open water here which made for pretty sights.

This is the beginning of the 6 kilometers that follows the river and the reservoir.  It was also our choice spot to dine.  It was noon time, there were just the right amount of stumps to sit on, the sun shone upon the area plus the scenery was spectacular.  Star alignment once again!  

I was very happy with how the day was progressing!

How on earth is that hunk of snow balancing on that rock?

I kept looking back as the scenery was just as nice behind us as it was in front of us.  

We made it to the wide open spaces where we could see forever.  

I was happy little puffs of cloud were scattered here and there.  

This mountain looks like it is spewing cloud.

We found a fun place to play.  Having a perfect mix of friends who share the same attitude when being "out & about" measures up as star alignment in my books.  These tree stumps were so perfectly placed,  we could not just pass on by.  

shadow shot

I wonder what transpired here!

The ice formations were amazing.  

Sections of our route had been wind blown of snow and that added to the wonderful scenery and made for more fun places to play.  The ice was very thick yet very clear.  We could see right through it to logs and rocks well below.  

We were approaching the end of this scenic 6 kilometer stretch and lucky for us, this trail, made by we are not sure what, was hard packed and lead directly to the forest to where we needed to go.  This meant for no trail breaking and quick movement at point when we are beginning to feel tired.  Star alignment, most definitely! 

We reached the forest for a small amount of route finding back up to the main trail.  Before heading into the forest, we all stopped to enjoy the view for one last time.  This is the last big scene of the day. What a sight to end on!

I have said many times that when I head "out & about" for the day, I go with wishes & hopes.  Today was filled with everything I wished and hoped for and in some cases even superseeded what I could have imagined!   I big thank you for sharing today with me and for playing a part in the equation that equals star alignment!