Sunshine Meadows, Banff National Park. August 27, 2023

Just like previous years, at this time into August a bit of a panic attack rocked me when I realized September is closing in on us!  I better get going again was my thought!  Given the weather was forecasted to be hot, with no rain in sight, only a slight wave of wildfire smoke to be in the area, I put a plan in place.  When I found accommodations were available, I jumped on it and made a booking.

Today would be my last opportunity to get back up to the top of the world at Sunshine Meadows.  I was there a month ago so this time I went for a different route. The gondola stops running on September 11th, that’s when they start preparing for the upcoming downhill ski season.  It’s too early for the golden larch show but it was prime time for that red ground cover that I love so much.

After departing the gondola, instead of riding the chairlift further up, I hiked up Rock Isle Road with intentions of hiking around the three lakes, Rock Isle, Grizzly then Laryx.  There's that red!  While I cannot smell wildfire smoke, it is hanging out around here.  This is Rocky Isle Road (a ski route in the winter) with a very faint view of Mount Assiniboine to the left of the more visible mountain.

The last time I was here, the "hippies on sticks" were small and lifeless looking.  This is how I like to see them!  They were more alive today which was odd because prime time for them was a month ago.  

Once I crested the top of Rock Isle Road, Rock Isle Lake came into view.  

Where the trail forked, I veered left for Grizzly Lake.  Along the way, many birds sang songs of all sorts.  This Savannah Sparrow stopped singing its sweet song just long enough to show its curiosity about me.

along the trail to Grizzly Lake

When I arrived at Grizzly Lake, it was hard to tell what was lake and what wasn't. The reflection was perfection!  It was so calm, there was not a single tiny ripple in the water. Not only was it calm, it was hot already. Wearing pants was overload.

Grizzly Lake

a "Hippie on a stick" gone wild

After leaving Grizzly Lake behind and before arriving at Laryx Lake, there is a viewpoint where you can see down into the Simpson Valley in Kootenay National Park.  It was here I met up with a Park Employee.  While monitoring the trails in the area, he stopped here to check out the sight.  We chatted for quite some time.  Yes, that is wildfire smoke obscuring the view. 

When I arrived at Laryx Lake, it was time to stop for some snacks.  Not a breeze to feel nor a cloud to be seen and it was hotter yet.  Never before while out hiking has the thought crossed my mind that I sure hope everything will be OK today given the heat and the dry conditions.  

the view around Laryx Lake

Laryx Lake

leaving Laryx Lake

After visiting all three lakes, it was time to veer left at the junction and hike along the Twin Cairns to Monarch Lookout Trail.  I hiked this trail in July but that was after riding the chair lift up.  Today this section of trail was lined with that gorgeous red!

There had been recent bear sittings up on top of the world with the most recent being yesterday but that was in another location closer to the ski runs. So, when I heard a rustle in the bush and saw some brown movement, my heart skipped a beat.  What seemed like minutes, were mere seconds when it became obvious what it was.  It was a young male deer settling down in the bushes and trees.  I assumed it was seeking shelter from the sun.  

along the trail where all the tarns were dried up and the creek was just a trickle

party central for the "Hippies on sticks"

When I arrived at the Monarch Viewpoint, I settled in for about an hour. There's something about this view, whenever I am here, I get lost in my mind with what I see in front of me.  A couple came along and shared some time with me.  They were from Ohio and this was their first time in the Canadian Rockies.  They said the beauty was leaving them speechless!  

When I left the Monarch Viewpoint, I hiked down the Meadow Park Trail.  This was the view in front of me.  See those ski runs to the left, in three months or so, they will be covered with skiers.  I am making that assumption, but to be honest with you, I am curious as to what our autumn and winter will be like this time around!   

along the Meadow Park Trail

the end is in sight

Once back at The Village, I did not stick around long, I had a place to get to.  I hopped on the Gondola for the ride back down to parking lot.  At one of the Gondola junctions, this was the view just outside the window.  There were three adults, another was off to the side and there were the two babies relaxing.  It took a minute or so for the Gondola to slowly make the turn so I was able to get a few photos.  The adults were moving about and I was nervous they were coming too close and might get hit.  When the Gondola did the turn and carried on, I looked back, the booth attendant was outside now and it appeared she was shooing the mountain goats away.

It was time to head on up The Icefield Parkway!  

I checked into my home away home!

a map of the Sunshine Meadows area to give you a lay of the land