the early bird catches......

....everything....

This would be the morning to catch the sunrise down by Lower Kananaskis Lake.  Just like I told you yesterday, once again last night I fell asleep as the sun set and woke before sunrise.  I did nothing but layer up, stop at the washroom then drive the 5 minutes to where I knew it would be perfect.  On the way there, I liked how the pink reflected in the brook in the bottom left.  

Then, there is was perfect... 

...and I like it like that!

On my drive from the Lower Lake to the Upper Lake, a grizzly bear darted out of the bush and ran in front of my car.   It was big and beautiful and left me in awe, just like this reflection shot.  Big!  Beautiful!  WOW!

After capturing the sunrise, I went back to my campsite for coffee and breakfast and to dismantle my dwellings.  That whole process took about two hours, I was in no rush.  When all that was said and done, I went back down to Upper Kananaskis Lake to fulfill a wish I made to myself when I was down that way on Friday.  Today I would do lunch out on the very end of that peninsula.  The scenery to get there was glorious.  It was early enough the water was still calm and not too too many folks were around.

my destination shot on the middle of the peninsula

A boat sped by and created this ripple.

I picked a high point on the very end for my dining spot.  It's the same Lake but from this angle it looks green.  You can see the waterfalls which is that white spot in the centre down by the water. I loved this spot.  It is definitely worth incorporating into a hike up to Rawson Lake or into your hike around the Upper Kananaskis Lake.  

The time was approaching where I had to give in and head back to my car for the drive back to reality.  I caught the beautiful sunrise, saw the awesome grizzly bear, captured reflections, owned the peninsula and witnessed this bluer than blue in the Lake all because I was an early bird.  

I could not have hoped for this long weekend to be any better than it was!

I am grateful, thankful, appreciate!  You get my point!

staying local

Last night I felt asleep just as the sunset and woke this morning just before sunrise.  I knew that would be the case after all of yesterday's mountain air.  It seems my best sleeps are out in this environment.  While having my morning coffee, I listened to the birds chip and that was about all there was to hear.  

I already knew what the plan for this day would be.  I wanted to stay local, no driving.  With the trail head for the Lookout a 3 minute walk from my site, I would pay that place a repeat visit.  After breakfast, clearing up, cleaning up and then packing up, I aimed for the trail. I made quick time through the trees to where the views began.

It was hot when I arrived at my destination mid morning.  I could see no others, not even the Lookout folks.  I believe this morning here, was the most beautiful I have ever experienced at this place.

After getting my destination shot, it was time to just enjoy the peace and quiet.  This is looking back at the trail I just exited from.  I could hear soft voices which were coming from the Kananaskis Fire Lookout. 

I approached the Lookout property to admire how it was decorated.  Just how pretty is this.  The attendants placed potted plants around their home.  I could see the couple sitting on their lanai.

   There was a slight breeze, just enough for the Canadian Flag to wave proudly.  

The Lookout gentleman extended a greeting to come through the gate for a visit.  I graciously accepted.  He even invited me to their upper deck to admire the far off view.  There you have Upper Kananaskis Lake .  He explained that at the moment the fire rating is low but if the heat wave continues, the rating could go high at any moment.  I was thankful to have this view this morning!

Before sitting for a snack, I take my camera to the public outhouse because I knew it was photogenic. This is the sign on the inside just below the window with a view. 

    on the inside wall at the back

    framed pictures and a coat hanger on another wall

   

After snack time, I packed up and aimed for home, well I mean to my campsite.  I met many folks on their way up.  I was glad to have gone early, to beat the heat, to receive the invitation to the upper deck and to have the morning peacefulness.  

    Back at camp, I enjoyed a later lunch, a beer and then a nap.  

The nap turned out being long in my red lounge chair.  

When I woke, I slowly came too....

....and before I knew it, dinner time rolled around, then campfire time.       

    experimenting with colour focus

   

The fire dwindled and so did I.  

   

spending the night

I had been looking forward to this day for what seems like eons but really it has only been short of two years.  I had to cancel my car camping plans that were in place last year after ending up with only one fully functioning arm for the entire camping season.  I booked this long weekend well in advance to make sure I got my exact location preference, then just waited it out all the while keeping my fingers crossed for ideal conditions.  This would also be the opportunity to truly test out my new Talus.  I did give it a whirl in my living room one night.  

Today arrived with a stellar forecast so I left home early to take advantage of this glorious day along the way to my site.  Having "been there done that" I opted to add a twist on my visits along the way this time.  My objective was to capture Barrier Lake and Upper Kananaskis Lake from different vantage points then I normally do.

I arrived at Barrier Lake mid morning and it was already very warm.  Instead of heading towards the dam, I aimed for the opposite direction.  The Lake is low enough and made for easy circumnavigating. It was so still, so calm, so peaceful, so pretty, so perfect.  I never get tired of this view.

Next I made my way to Upper Kananaskis Lake.  This was my lunch time view and my plan was to make my way to the end of that peninsula ahead just to the left of that left tree stump. Whenever I was in this area I would say I want to go out there, so finally I did.

I had to skirt to my right and cross the dam first, then find a short trail past the rocky bouldery slope that would get me on my way.  It was nice to see the Lake in a whole new light.  

I reached the peninsula and spent time exploring it.  I was surprised to find this sitting out there.   It had a fire pit at the bottom and looked like it had been recently used.  There were other spots out here too where fires had been.  I wonder if people spend the night.

This is my favourite view from near the end of the peninsula looking back to the right from where I came.  I think I need to bring my lunch out here one day and let this be my lunch time view. 

And yet another different view of the Upper Kananaskis Lake and mountain range than I have ever seen before,  I even captured a teeny tiny crashing wave.  See it?

Then the time came for what I had been waiting for.  

While check in time is 4:00, I was permitted to check in at 2:15.  

I found the perfect spot for my Talus and I had it up in no time.       

          

    I got my gear into it then propped open the door so it could fill with mountain air.  

I wined and dined, then thoroughly enjoyed sitting by the campfire while the sun set.  When my day was done, my night began, I was finally spending the night in my mountain playground.                                                   

                 

This is the life!

   
                                       

Ha Ling Ending May on a High Note

Fancy that!  The nicer of the two days was today, the very last day of May, so that made it easy to come up with a story to fit my blog post title "Ending May on a High Note"!  You see, sometimes I pick a title first before I even head out for the day, and then I build a story around it.  

I was up and at it early today and like so many times before when I said I was glad I went early, today was no different.   There were only a few cars in the Ha Ling Peak parking lot when I arrived.  I met the majority of those on my way up, they were running down.  On my way down I swear I passed about 200 folks and 30 dogs who were all heading up.  That peak is not big enough to accommodate that many people and I would not want to have been there when they all were. 

This was my third time for this Peak.  Driving up the Three Sisters Parkway, I like to pull over and take a minute to check out my destination which is the top of the bump on the right.   It was looking to be an ideal day to get high.  

After crossing the road and getting up that first little dirt hill, the view becomes amazing already.  

The early morning calm allowed for a stupendous reflection.  

a tease through the trees

It was early and it was warm already even in the shade of the trees.  As I worked my way towards the end of the trees, the views opened up and the wind picked up.  That wind was refreshing and made for an easier job of the steep steep climb.  

above tree line

looking back down in the valley

I reached the summit of Ha Ling Peak where it was bitterly cold and a tad windy. That never bothers me much so after I got my summit shot secured, I settled down to dine and devour the view.   I shared the summit with one gentleman and three ladies for a few minutes.  The ladies left shortly after I arrived and the gentleman chatted me up for a few minutes then he departed.  

looking towards Miners Peak and Mount Lawrence Grassi 

Canmore below

I choose this as my dining spot.

looking towards the East End of Rundle

After dining, devouring the view, taking time to "remember to breathe" and appreciating having a magnificent day to "End May on a High Note", I then packed up and began the descent.  A few times I used my hands for support and for another very short section,  I preferred to shimmy down on my rear.  I was doing every possible to make sure this day did end on a high note and it certainly did.

Well, good-bye May! 

I'm excited for June!  

Stay tuned!    

Kananaskis Lookout Lovely Looking Lookout

With such a positive concrete forecast in place, there was no doubt I would be hitting the playground west somewhere today.  A few places were put on the plate, finally we stuck our fork into hiking up to the Kananaskis Lookout with a decision to be made once there if we would return the way we came or complete the Loop. Like always lately, we arrived at the parking lot early.  I was surprised at how warm it felt already.  Feeling excited for our day we made our way!

It seemed like in no time, we arrived at the major junction where we would veer right to begin the gradual climb.  It was much easier to move along this trail without snow and snowshoes.  I was noticing the lack of clouds and the abundance of blue sky which for me was not ideal for picture snapping.

As we approached the Lookout, we were surprised to notice the windows were not boarded up which meant somebody was home and we would not be permitted to meandered beyond the fence.   See The Lookout Lady on the deck to the left.  It was lovely here today and it was surprising there was no snow.

"H" marks the helicopter pad

Do Not Enter

But we did enter, at the invitation from The Lookout Lady.  It is from her backyard where you get that optimal view of both the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes which were totally ice free. We chatted with her for quite some time.  She arrived yesterday, which is the earliest this Lookout has ever opened.  She explained they did a helicopter tour the day before and were surprised at the lack of snow in the mountains, how dry it was and that they better get that Lookout up and running.  She is only filling in until the permanent residents arrive.  

taking time to enjoy the Lovely Looking Lookout property

my destination shot

when you are in a playground of course you have to play

The Lookout Lady invited us to dine at her table but we opted to sit at the table outside on the edge.  This was our lunch time view.  She was required to do a continued surveillance and we did not want to distract her any longer.  We were surprised at how dry it was and saw later the fire danger was rated as "high".  

We opted to go for the Loop instead of returning the way we came.  We were having a fun day plus the weather was glorious and we still had loads to talk about.  We carried on our way and took a glance back before heading down into the forest. 

We were surprised about lots of things today and another surprise was arriving at this bridgeless creek.   The creek was not wide nor was it deep yet wide and deep enough that we needed to go bare foot.  It took about 15 seconds to cross but my feet went frozen from the frigidness at about the 10 second mark.  Those last 5 seconds were painful!

We arrived at the Hydroline and the snowshoe trail. 

Surprise!  No snow! 

As we turned off the Hydroline, we had this view to admire as we began our steep descent.  At the bottom of the hill, we noticed a young mountain biking lady. We acknowledged each other and continued on.  Then I felt the need to ask her where she was going after seeing saddle bags on the back of her bike.  She was shortly passed us now and then I turned and shouted out "Where are you going?"  Her response was "Mexico!"  Short Stop and I were surprised!  I felt this demanded further conversation.   She was from Sedona, was riding solo and giving herself 38 days to reach Mexico.  We forgot to ask her where she started from but my thinking was that is was quite a bit west as she did say she passed through some passes that were challenging.  She had spent the night at the Spray Lake Campground and was planning to reach Elkford tonight.  That conversation was truly a WOW few moments.

We carried on along Fox Creek Trail, the veered onto Moraine Trail, bypassed the Boulton Creek Campground then arrived back at the car.  We were surprised at how long it took us.  Reviewing where the time went, we agreed that's what days like this should be all about, acknowleding every single surprise, just getting lost in the here and now, throwing time by the wayside and just plain and simple taking the time to "be all there".