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!

two stories July 4, 2026

I have far too many stories to tell. 

I picked two to share with you! 

story #1

For a few hours every day, I make time to be "out & about" somewhere.  With camera in hand and a pep in my step, kilometres are covered (which are quicker these days to keep ahead of the bugs). Even though the  pace is speedy, I still stop, I listen and I look to left and right. There is loads of looking up too. The clouds always capture my attention and they have been lovely lately.  Between seeing the cloud formations, the wildflowers and the wildlife, I always arrive home with a treasure of photographs and a smile on my face.  

two Wood Duck Ducklings in a cuddle

a House Wren captured a snack to bring home to share

the Cedar Waxwing was swallowing the berries whole

one of about fifty White Pelicans

a Robin ready to feed the young ones

I learned a little more about Double-crested Cormorants after seeing these two.  Males and females look alike, it is hard to distinguish which is which so I don't know what the one on the left is. I learned the one of the right would be a non-breeding female as it is predominantly dark.

Blue-winged Teal with her Ducklings

One day while "out & about", I garnered a nickname, it's "chatty birder". I met a birder on a trail and asked what have you seen so far.  I then shared what I saw.  She made a click on her device and said "met a chatty birder".  She was playing bingo while birding and I fit one of the boxes.  

 

story #2

July is World Watercolour Month! There are numerous sites that offer daily challenges. While I don't care to do a challenge each day of the month for July (during a winter month I would),  I still want to participate in some capacity. I picked one of my favourite watercolour sites and will play along with their challenge.  July 1st, Day 1 was a wet on wet wash. This is my outcome, the words were put on afterwards via photoshop.  The challenges are not meant to take much time.  I did another one on another day.  But.....

 .....I did another painting outside of the challenge!  If you have been here, you know where it is!  I worked on this watercolour painting a few days ago during the rain event and when the wildfire smoke blew in. The thought of painting this came to mind when a friend shared with me a painting she purchased from a local young budding artist which was of this location but done in acrylics. I have been fortunate enough to visit this place many times over the years but not in the last four years.  I am sharing a few of the times I was there which were always stop for a photo before veering off on a trail for one of many big hikes in the area.

This is my photo which I used as a reference. 

This photo was taken on June 28, 2021. 

September 18, 2010

May 28, 2016

with Helen from Walking with Friends Down Under

October 12, 2019

This was the last time I visited Moraine Lake in Banff National Park! It was for sunrise on June 29th, 2021. I shared the space with no one before heading off for a hike in snow up to Larch Valley. It was when our world changed and borders were not open yet. I cherish every second I ever spent over the years in this piece of paradise! Our world is different now, I doubt very much I will ever get back to Moraine Lake. 

a simple ink and wash to pass a few moments while dinner was cooking

Blockers & Blockades July 2, 2026

I just wanted to be "out & about" wandering trails that were full of nature's fresh fragrance, had mountainous views and were on the quiet side.  I knew I could get that out in the Little Elbow Valley section of Kananaskis.  After checking the Park Reports, I had somewhat of an idea of what to expect yet I went anyway.  By now the stranded 2000 people had been rescued from other sections of Kananaskis plus some roads were repaired enough to get by.  Other areas remain closed until they are inspected and repairs are made.  All that is just a small snippet of what transpired after the rain event on Sunday and Monday.  It was a welcoming sight to see some blue sky, the flags hanging still and so much green.     

At this spot along the roadway, 

I slowed down but did not need to stop as the cows stayed to the side.

This youngest gave me the big brown cow eye!

This pullout offered a good view of how fast and high the river was running.

Not long after arriving at the parking lot, gearing up, then wandering off, I came upon the first blockade.  The water had breached the bank and left a mess of mud. I could not see where the trail was. I wouldn't walk through that mud anyway even if the yellow tape was not in place. 

I veered away then veered back where the trail was open.  The river had receded somewhat since Monday yet it still ran fast, high and brown. Logs had been washed downstream and pushed to the banks.

I was getting the mountainous views and I was breathing in fresh air that had that green tree fragrance.  

I came upon another blockade so reverted back to where I could go.   

Lots of wild flowers were growing where I could go!

Wandering the tree-lined trails was off limits. 

Thats OK though, because..... 

.....out in the open the flowers offered up sweet sights!

While working my way west, I reached the Suspension Bridge.  

A blockade was in place.

The trail on this side of the bridge remained open and I could see why Parks People did not want us down there on the other side.  There is a section on the other side that I like to walk, by looking at this photo, it appears to be under water.  That's OK though, because I could continue walking the dirt road.  The campground was like a ghost town, there was no traffic.  

This young Buck held his ground! I walked closer and closer, he would not move. I told him to "move"! He wouldn't! After quickly and loudly trying to stamp my feet, I had success, he darted into the bushes.  

I continued on my way finding sights to savour and photograph.  

A Wild Rose with a mountain backdrop!  

The Paintbrushes were plentiful! 

Once I rounded the corner, I could see yellow tape across the trail by the kiosk that leads further into the Little Elbow Valley.  At that point I turned around and worked my way back to my vehicle.  I had already been wandering for about two hours so was content with that.  Before heading to my vehicle, I took one last detour to have a look at Forgetmenot Pond. Oh so green!

Those cows were still hanging about when I was on my way home 

yet this time I had to stop to let them cross the road. 

This cow would not move so I drove around it!

Deer usually dart across the road when vehicles come, not this one.  I waited, it waited, I slowly drove towards it, it did not move, I drove closer, it very slowly moved to the other side of the yellow lines.  I slowly drove by while it stood there and stared at me.  

There were lots of things to block me from going where I wanted to go. This morning made for a great reminder to embrace a slow pace, be flexible, be patient, make the most of what you are presented with and just go with the flow.