Clouds

It was not a UFO. But it sure looked ominous. Lenticular clouds are not uncommon in the Rockies. They develop when air moves over the mountains and cools down to the point that condensation occurs. These clouds are different because they don’t move–the passage of air just reforms them again and again.

View fullsize

Lenticular cloud over Three Sisters.

View fullsize

South Shore Bylot Island, Lawren Harris, 1931

But, I digress. The evening storm front turned into a morning full of visual beauty—the kind of landscapes that artists can only dream about. The stuff of Lawrence Harris paintings. And thanks to Dave’s birthday tee-time of 7:10 am, we were able experience it firsthand. I think my canvas is calling.

View fullsize

Three Sisters Parkway

View fullsize

God's Light, Canmore, AB

View fullsize

Three Sisters

View fullsize

Canmore Golf and Curling Club, Canmore, AB  Happy Birthday Dave!

View fullsize

Canmore Golf and Curling Club, Canmore, AB

View fullsize

Grotto Mountain, Canmore, AB

---

Chephren

I saw it on the CTV news. Actually, it was one of those photo posts from a viewer—you know, the kind they show on the nightly weather forecasts. I hurriedly wrote down Chephren Lake Trail, Banff. 

There are so many beautiful hikes that exist much closer to home. However, the image of the lake encouraged us to branch out a bit. The Chephren Lake Trail is a 2-hour drive from Canmore, and is located off the Icefields Parkway. Normally, a long way to travel for a relatively short hike.

A view from the trailhead.

Trailside meadow.

We pulled into the Waterfowl Lakes Campground and headed to the trailhead – a bridge crossing over the Mistaya River. From there we ascended through the muddy, twisted roots of an old growth spruce forest. Then, just as we started wondering about the worth of this little excursion, we rounded a corner. The images below speak for themselves.

---

Rain

And then the rains came. Well, kind of. After last summer’s smoke and ash, a rainy forecast is a good, good thing. However, when rain is combined with getting booted out of the house for 4 days due to floor repair, it can evolve into something rather interesting. Our motto for the week was “just get into the Jeep and DRIVE.”

All kidding aside, the week went remarkably well. Monday was sunny, warm and spent in Canmore and Grassi Lake, a beautiful hike just outside of town. On Tuesday, we ventured up a loose gravel road to Spray Lake, followed by a tour of the Kananaskis countryside.

Grassi Lake

Trail-side at Grassi Lake

Signs of Spring, Kananaskis.

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Wednesday was cloudy with patches of sun. A stop at the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park, was an unexpected pleasure. A hidden gem. We also passed through the Verdant Creek area to view the burn areas from last summer.

Natural Bridge, Yoho National Park

Verdant Creek area

However, Friday had to be the most adventurous day of the week. We traveled south, almost to the U.S. border, to Crow’s Nest Pass in a driving rain storm. Then, feeling ambitious, we took a short-cut on a one-lane gravel road (that had collected rain for the past three days) that created a mid-tire mud-fest. After sliding onto asphalt, we arrived at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. I think the last time i visited this site I was twelve. Times have changed. This World Heritage site, tucked into a prairie, is where indigenous hunters (if they were very lucky ) drove herds of buffalo over a cliff to provide for their tribe. Note to Hillary - This is the place that songs are made from. Right?

The Jump

Looking down from the edge.

---

To Market

When we do our urban hikes, there is usually a reason behind it. Something to see, a Rocky Mountain Outlook to pick up, or a cappuccino to savor at the end of the trail.

Last week, we hiked downtown to the first Farmers Market of the season. The weather was gorgeous, and well worth documenting. Checked on the wild rhubarb, which I scout with a vengeance. I love to make anything rhubarb – and scavenging for it makes it that much more special.

The trail into downtown Canmore from Three Sisters.

The produce at the market was fresh and delicious. We bought a locally-made elderflower syrup to experiment with. White wine, club soda, and a splash of elderflower syrup…..yes, please.

The reward this week could not be purchased or eaten. Upon our return home, we were treated to a herd of female elk, nestled in the woods just off the trail. Several were quite pregnant, lounging in the shade of the tall trees. Totally worth the trip. Let’s do it again next week.

Where’s Waldo?

---

A Week of Firsts

Our transition from the desert to the mountains is a usually a quick one. We jump in with both feet. This past week was full of firsts—some traditional, and some not so…  

It seems like we brought the heat with us again this year. We were greeted with temps near 30°c, but fortunately, it didn’t last. Our first walk into town was on a rainy, gusty, Oooooh. Clouds. This was the first real rain we had seen since late last year. The icing on the cake seeing our first elk!

Downtown Canmore

The Grizzly Paw Pub

The Grizzly Paw on Main St. in Canmore has been a first stop tradition of ours for close to 20 years. There is nothing better than an order of poutine, a pint of Big Herd Nut Brown, and another pint of Buffalo Stout. Welcome home.

Barrier Lake Trail

The Barrier Lake Trail was our first real hike of the season. One BIG uphill, with a beautiful payoff. Someday, I will ride my mountain bike up that one. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

Lastly, one of the most joyous firsts of the week was to discover the new dog park by our home. Dota and Puccini have never experienced the real freedom of running free.. It is so wonderful to see them running, sniffing, and exploring on their own. Go lil’ mountain dogs, go.

Free to run.

Dota takes a stand.

---

AZ in the Rearview

Whenever the month of May comes around, Dave gets antsy. The mountains are calling. He calls it a longing—to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and return to his roots.

And so the trek begins. I have to admit, we have this down to a science. Two 12-hour days, from Phoenix, Arizona to Canmore, Alberta. The Jeep is expertly packed and filled to the gills, with art supplies, hiking gear, mountain bikes and musical instruments. What else does one need? Oh yes. Golf clubs—check.

Dota is ready to travel before we are.

Puccini is not so sure

Our pups, Dota and Puccini are experienced travelers.  It takes them about 30 minutes to realize that they aren’t going to the veterinarian. Then, they settle in and it’s smooth sailing.

We leave early. Really early. The sun is rising just as we reach Flagstaff. Then we travel north, up through Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam to Utah. We spend the night in Pocatello.

South of Flagstaff, Arizona

Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona

The Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona

Day two, up at 4am. The sun rises in Idaho, then it’s off through Montana. Doggie stops and photo ops all along the way. With any luck we reach the border by noon. 

Early morning, outside Pocatello, Idaho

On the road near Dillon, Montana

Just outside Canmore, Alberta

We are home free. We travel through Lethbridge (where my Dad was born), Fort Macleod and Calgary. By late afternoon, we have reached our destination.  Our home away from home.

Happy Summer.

---

Pack a Lunch

The Chester Lake Trail is one of my Dad’s all-time favorite hikes. He has been hiking this trail for close to 30 years—and has introduced it to many friends and family members. It is a moderate 10.6 km out and back hike with views rivaling anything you will see in a National Park. The first half of the hike is a steady incline, followed by a beautiful meandering trail through lush green meadows. When hiking around the lake, we often take a detour to a place we call Elephant Rock. It is a short, unmarked trail that leads to some enormous boulders worthy of exploring.

In the spring there is an abundance of wildflowers, and in the fall, golden stands of larches. For an entirely different experience, many snowshoe during the winter months on the well-marked trail.

We hike to the lake at least twice during the year. The trail is closed from May 1 - June 29 for wildlife passage. And it can also be closed when a grizzly decides to visit. So, pack a lunch and spend a day in the wilderness. You won’t be disappointed.

Chester Lake Trail, Peter Loughheed Provincial Park.

Spring wildflowers, Chester Lake, Peter Loughheed Provincial Park.

Beauty on the trail.

Lakeside. Chester Lake, Peter Loughheed Provincial Park

Alpine clarity, lakeside.

View from the lakeside portion of the trail. Chester Lake, Peter Loughheed Provincial Park

“Elephant” Rocks

Hillary and Bruno on the rocks.

Our favorite lunch spot, on our own private island.

---