Waterton Lakes National Park July 13, 2026

After a great night’s sleep, I was ready to hit a trail bright and early this morning. I opted for Summit Lake  then tack on a bit more elevation after that to where the views would be open.  No one else was driving the Akamina Parkway in my vicinity. It was too early for hikers yet it was not too early for this Black Bear to be having breakfast.  I stopped my vehicle, put the window down, zoomed in with my camera lens to capture a few shots. The bear did not even look up at me!  It was a very healthy looking bear. I let it go about its business and I went about mine.

After gearing up at the Cameron Lake parking lot then admiring Cameron Lake, it was time to hit the trail.  The Parks People recently cleared the trail of downed trees. When I was here in a May, you could not see the trail.

Wild flower season is in full bloom!  

view down to Akamina Lake

When I reached the alpine meadow on the way to Summit Lake, I started to see sprinklings of Bear Grass.  It was as tall as me!  The further I hiked, the more I saw. The area was now carpeted in Bear Grass and it was in its prime.

I arrived at Summit Lake and had still seen no one.  Before removing my pack to capture selfies, I performed a full intense survey of the surroundings and did a few shout outs.  

Even along the trail ascending from the lake, the Bear Grass was plentiful.

ascending higher 

Those mountains behind me are in Montana.

I hiked a little higher before turning around then picking this as my snack spot. It was now that other hikers started to come along. A half hour was a good amount of time to sit on this slab to savour snacks and the scenery,

I think I could get lost if I wandered into the Bear Grass!

It would be like finding my way through a maze!

The Paintbrush was in abundance with the majority of it a distance off trail. 

This bouquet was right beside me.

a final look back before following the switchbacks down through the forest

Waterton Lakes National Park July 12, 2026

Last minute cancellations for someone meant a big time score for me!  I can never get enough of Waterton Lakes National Park. My visit here the end of May was amazing, that left me wanting more. After the three hour drive here, arriving to high plus twenties Celsius temperatures, I did not have it in me to start a hike, yet I sure was ready for many short walks and drives. This was the view along the winding road not far from the Park Entrance.

I drove the loop around the Bison Paddock. Just before entering the Paddock, I saw the Bison by the water.  They could not be seen along the drive so I exited the Paddock then drove to the lookout lot. After a five minute walk up the hill, this was the view. There they were, parents and babies, all by the water cooling off.  

After entering the Park, I went on numerous short walks along the Red Rock Parkway and Akamina Parkway. Wildflower season is in full swing and that captured most of my attention.  There were other sights to enjoy such as seeing this Brewer’s Blackbird which was one of many.  

Wild Gaillardia

Brown-eyed Susan

view at Maskinonge

Wild Daisy

I have never seen so many Wild Daisies, they line both Parkways and filled fields.

I had to stop to let a family of something cross the road. 

There was an adult and three little ones.  

This one was trying to catch up.

Wild Alberta Rose

view along one of the short walks

view from one of the pull outs

Paintbrush 

Wild Daisies along one of the short walks 

Lupines

This is my first sighting of a fawn this year.  It was with its Mom.  

They were meandering in the townsite.

alpine hiking July 8, 2026

This is what getting happily high on a hot day looks like!

The downhill ski season ended at Banff Sunshine on Sunday July 5th then Sunshine Meadow hiking season started July 6th.  Hiking season was a late start this year due to there being an extraordinary amount of snow.  Getting up high onto the alpine was the perfect place to go to escape the city heat. How high did I get you ask!  I left Calgary which is at 1045 meters (3428 feet) above sea level and drove to the Sunshine Parking lot which is at 1668 meters (5472 feet).  A view as I aim for the Gondola which is at the top of the stairs to the left. 

The Gondola took me up to 2180 meters (7152 feet).

This is the view looking out the Gondola window.

After getting off the Gondola, I followed the path through the Village to the Standish Chairlift which took me up to 2372 meters (7782 feet) above sea level.  This is the view ahead of me as I ride the Chairlift up higher. 

I stepped off the Chairlift to this view!

There was a lovely cool bite in the air so I started hiking with all my layers on. 

While there was not much snow left in this area, there was on the trails to the west. They were closed due to the snow and also bridges along the trail were in need of repair. Sunshine employees spent time over the past few days shovelling snow from sections of the hiking trails.   

scene from Standish Viewpoint 

arriving to one of many viewpoints of Rock Isle Lake

a baby Hippy on a Stick

mature Hippy on a Stick

Chipping Sparrow

Western Anemone

arriving at Grizzly Lake

Glacier Lilies 

This is the first of three snowmen that I built. There were lots of locations where snow lined the trail making it easy to access and totally irresistible. The child within came out to play.  

view of Laryx Lake

a Common Loon at Laryx Lake

looking back at Laryx Lake

completing the loop and arriving back at Rock Isle Lake

a little more uphill

this ground squirrel looks ready for a nap

at the top of the last uphill section

all downhill from here

wildflowers lining the trail 

Before hoping on the Gondola to head back down to the parking lot, time was well spent relaxing, snacking and taking in the views.  Eventually I tore myself away. I offered well wishes to other hikers sitting nearby, who I chatted with on the trails. The Gondola whisked me back to the parking lot, I geared down, slid into my vehicle and after a ninety minute drive, I arrived back home to where the temperature gauge read +30C!