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Posts from the ‘Parks’ Category

Jul 3

Rae Glacier

70AF1E9A-1098-41E8-A0C3-66372F155404We crossed into Canada a week ago with no issues and quickly settled into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.  

Having found ourselves in south-central Alberta and nesting on the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies, we celebrated the long and rained-soaked Canada Day weekend in a spectacularly beautiful area.

Mother Nature was not all sour grapes however.  In the windows free of rain, Kelly and I did find time to play outdoors.

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The hike to Rae Glacier was a wonder trek.  First, up and through an alpine lake campground and the free firewood pile, then onto a rock field, before a final steep ascent to the top.  The trail was nearly ours alone and lunch at the foot of the glacier, while quite chilly and windy, afforded stunning views.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t linger.  As we sat high above the tree line, we could see the next storm rapidly approaching, forcing us off the glacier.

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Jun 28

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Kananaskis Fire Lookout

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The uphill was long and steep.

The views at the top were amazing.

The downhill was fast.

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Jun 23

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Glacier Snow

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Initially, the trails were dry and free of snow as we ascended the mountain.  As we continued onward, small patches of snow and ice were easily avoided, until they were not.

At higher elevations, only the few trails with virtually no tree cover were free from snow, mud, and spring melt water crossings.  

While we had a GPS device aiding our navigation, the steep slopes and deep snow complicated things.  When it was time to navigate a descent through the dense network of trees, we were wet, regularly postholing to our knees, and were forced to backtrack multiple times before a final glissade to dry land. 

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All of this slowed our travels, but absolutely increased the fun factor.  And for a few hours, a group of us – all in our mid/upper 40’s, momentarily put our adult realities aside while childlessly reliving the joys of our youth.

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Jun 22

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Going To The Sun Road

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Here at Glacier National Park, the infamous Going To The Sun Road remains closed.

Crews have recently finished plowing huge amounts of winter snow, but many road surface and guardrail repairs remain to be completed before opening the pass to automobile traffic.

During this road closure period, park visitors are allowed access to bike or walk the famous alpine highway.  Yesterday afternoon Kelly and I laced our sneakers, grabbed the binoculars, and set off for a walk to Logan Pass in hopes of spotting Big Horn Sheep or Mountain Goats high on a ridge.  If we were lucky, maybe we would see a few bears in one of many valley meadows far below.

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We didn’t see any animal activity off in the distance, but you’ll understand our surprise to round a bend and effectively walk into a pack of sheep quietly grazing at the side of the road.

If you have never been to Glacier, it must be added to your list.  This place is simply magnificent.

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