Pocaterra Cirque September 22, 2026

"Was I asking for too much?" was the question I posed to myself! I wanted to frame a day filled with blue in the sky, some unique clouds, mountain views, warm weather and most of all lots of Larch Trees that were in the prime of their end of summer lifecycle. Summer would last until 6:00pm today then bring on amazing autumn!  This framed photo tells it all before I even get to tell you my story, I received everything I wished for!

The Pocaterra Cirque Trail only opened on Friday after being closed all summer for a total make over, revamp, re-route.  The trailhead is located at Highwood Pass in Kananaskis and is the highest paved pass road in Canada.  It sits at 2206 meters (7238 feet) above sea level. I arrived early, four other vehicles were ahead of me, yet only the hikers in one vehicle had already hit the trail. That was another wish, to hike a trail that was not busy.

The new trail was a joy to follow, the only thing was I noticed how much descending I did very early on, that meant ascending at the end of the hike, not my favourite thing. As I exited the forest, this was the view.  From this point forward, it was a very slow go, the views took my breath away!  

My attire was chosen to celebrate the seasonal shades! 

view to the north

The trail followed to the right of the tarn and you can see it wind around the back side of the tarn and ascend at the left of the trees.  That's Mount Tyrwhitt on the left and Pocaterra Ridge on the right.   

By now the Larch Trees lined the trail and they were in all their glory.  

The needles are surprisingly so soft! 

I tell you that with full knowledge! 

Oh my!  WOW!  Holy! Aaahhh!  

These were positive expletives I used lovingly on a regular basis.

The trail passes through a very large boulder field.  These blue squares mark the way.

This was my lunch spot amongst the boulders.  

 

From my lunch spot I could see up to the window on Mount Tyrwhitt.  

The window is that very tiny white spot underneath the star. 

a zoomed in shot of the window

This photograph was taken on September 29, 2012.  You can see four hikers up there.  I took the photo coming from the other direction and just flipped it to show it in comparison to the view I had today.  

With lunch complete, it was time to carry on along the new route.  Once I completed hiking the cirque, the trail joined up with where I veered off some time ago.  It was now that I started to meet many other hikers just working their way up.  I was thankfully to have started early. I took one last look back.

The trail leads back to the tarn which you can see in the middle of the photo.

a Chipmunk

I arrived back at the parking lot and began to delayer. While doing so, I already began thinking about everything I saw then came to the realization I was gifted it all and then some! I certainly did not ask for too much! I got to frame this day exactly the way I wanted to! 

As I began the drive north leaving Highwood Pass behind, I met a Rocky Mountain Sheep strolling south to the Pass area. I admired it for a few seconds then carried on with a wide smile on my face, sipping my water, snacking on carrots, apple slices and fig cookies, enjoying the scenery with no traffic heading in my direction.

up The Hill for the colours September 20, 2026

The starting point of my hike today up on Nose Hill looks like a "rock garden bouquet".  That's what I am calling it! The colours were crazy from the very second I began to the second I finished the nine kilometres. I had intentions of covering more ground but the photographer in me got the better of me.  I was snap happy! I made the most of every second, every sight, every snap.

I had no route planned, I just went where my heart desired! 

A little trail here, a little trail there, here a trail, there a trail! 

Pretty well every trail was enticing!   

Many that I followed, I had no idea where I would end up!

Eventually one led me to the pond! The water level was very low yet there was enough water to offer up this reflection. It took getting down on my knees then bending down further then placing my camera almost on top of the water then snapping blindly.  Success on the first try.  Trails led off from the pond in every direction and then there were some trails in between each direction.  

This is the trail I took!

Viewing the autumn colours was so enjoyable.  When wildlife came into view that was enjoyable too. This deer still has a few of its fawn spots. The Mom was close by busy having breakfast. The youngster watched me while I walked away and no doubt kept its eyes on me until I was out of sight.  

This Cooper's Hawk was being harassed by a flock of Flickers!  It was entertaining to watch which I did for awhile.  At one point I ducked as the Hawk and Flickers flew low over my head.  The Hawk stayed still long enough that I was able to capture this photo.  It had its eye on......

.....this Flicker as the Flicker stretched its neck to keep its eye on the Hawk!

Many Robins were singing in the sunshine. They were hard to see as they blended in with the leaves.  I did a bit of bushwhacking to get this photograph.  It was content to stay where it was and did not seem bothered by me.  I was actually dressed in autumn shades so maybe I blended in with the leaves too and it did not see me.  

Such summer splendour as we approach the first day of autumn!

There was so much colour to see today and this is the just the beginning! 

down a trail September 18, 2026

How fortunate to have the best of both worlds almost right out my front door!  After spending Wednesday hiking alpine meadow trails in Banff National Park with far off views, today I enjoyed walking trails where I could see what was close up right before my eyes and at city level elevation. What I saw was just as beautiful as those alpine sights yet in their own very special way.  The trails offered colour and canopy-like coverings.

The trails led to open views!

Along one trail, up in the canopy, I spotted the current resident Great Horned Owl. This time I needed no human help to find it. I found the Owl myself after listening to.....

.....a Cooper's Hawk screeching! I found the Hawk then saw the Owl!

You can see both the Owl and the Hawk in this photo.

This photo was taken from the backside of the Great Horned Owl.

The Cooper's Hawk kept the Great Horned Owl wide awake!

The Great Horned Owl kept its eyes on me!

After seeing the Owl, I felt satisfied and would have been content to head on home, the sighting made my day.  Yet, I knew by continuing further on down the trail, there would be much more to see.  So, down a trail I went! Many Yellow-Rumped Warblers are still here. No doubt the heat wave we are experiencing has them confused and feeling no need to head south yet to warmer climates.  

I spotted a White-breasted Nuthatch, I focused in and then snapped the shot.  I looked at my photo on the screen to see if it was clear and this is what I saw, a male Downy Woodpecker.  In the split second when I snapped the shot, the Woodpecker flew in and the Nuthatch flew away. 

I eventually got a photograph of the White-breasted Nuthatch. 

The Cedar Waxwings are still here too!  

This pair hung out together for quite some time.  

When I look at the bottom one, 

I see a cool dude with a windswept hairstyle wearing sunglasses!  

The sun shone brightly today and when it shone on the Common Grackle, the bird lite up!  Just like that, a very large flock of Grackles (a few dozen) arrived on a grassy section by the pond.  It was quite a sight to see them flitter about with the sun shining on them.  OK I need the Waxwing's sunglasses!   Oh and ear plugs too, they were a noisy crew! 

Many Black-capped Chickadees were spotted.  Some will migrate yet lots will winter here. I did not see them amongst the autumn shades yet I would love to have.  In my mind, this is what it would look like if one were to be on a branch amongst colourful leaves.  I will keep my eyes open, maybe I will see an actual sight like this!

I hope you enjoyed this little journey down a trail and it brought a smile to your face! 

High on Sunshine September 16, 2026

high on Sunshine both figuratively and literally

🏔☀️🏔☀️🏔☀️🏔☀️

After monitoring the weather and my schedule, the stars finally aligned for one last ride up to "the top of the world" before the gondola shuts down for the hiking season on Sunday.  Employees were already at work preparing for the upcoming ski season on the Sunshine Ski Hill.  After riding the gondola up, I then veered off to follow the hiking trail further up instead of taking the chairlift up. The temperature was barely above freezing which meant frost cover was scattered here and there. 

I wondered what the colours would look like!  

No need to wonder any longer!

I was first to arrive at the viewing platform at Rock Isle Lake.  The tell tale sign was there were no boot prints in the frost on the bridge until I crossed.  It was chilly with not even a breeze.  After leaving the viewing platform and.....

.....rounding the corner, the view of Rock Isle Lake was even more spectacular, yet it was the cloud at the base of the mountains in the background that caught my eye.  

Oh my what a crazy sight! Somewhere down there are Grizzly and Laryx Lakes.  

Today's plan did not include hiking in that area. I opted to head west along the Twin Cairns Trail. This area was closed when I was up here back in early July.   

I came here for the ground colour, for the possibility of golden larches, to see snow-capped peaks and for the peacefulness.  I got it all tenfold! I saw no one once I left the intersection for Standish Viewpoint/Twin Cairns. The ground cover colour was at its prime. Many larch trees were at their peak while others were mid way and many had not started to change yet.  

There were the little things and the big things that captured my attention.  

I was in no rush to get anywhere, I was on "high on sunshine" time.  

When frost meets autumn shades, the detail is wondrous!

Oh my what a crazy sight!  

That's Mount Assiniboine behind the top end of the Standish Chairlift.  

It was the big things like this alpine meadow with a mountain range backdrop.

It was the little things like this ice with a sun sparkle in the middle.

I took some time at the Monarch Viewpoint to have a hot beverage paired with snacks.

The trail descending from the viewpoint leads to a favourite spot to spend a little time.  Along the way there are beautiful sights to see.  Even the ponds took on the autumn shades.

a thriving Hippie-on-a-stick

This is a favourite spot to sit awhile.  

The boulder is big, it's flat, the views are spectacular.

Yesterday I removed certain patches from my backpack. I kept Iceland and Canada then added the others.  I have room for new patches which I hope to collect next spring. The patches become conversation pieces. The middle top patch is Norway which I purchased in April. While hiking today, a guy noticed it and asked when was I there. As it turns out he's from Trondheim Norway.  

a perfect Golden Larch Tree

After spending significant time at that favourite place, 

I ascended to begin hiking the trail that would descend back to Sunshine Village. 

another valley covered in cloud

It was the little things like this small patch of red!

It was the big things like this whole meadow dressed in red! 

This was the view upon arrival back to Sunshine Village. The sun still shone brightly and it felt a tad bit warmer. I felt completely fulfilled and was in no need of anything more other than to hop on the gondola for the ride back to the parking lot.   

What a wonderful Wednesday it was being high on Sunshine!