Banff National Park December 10, 2024

spirit of the season in snowy surroundings

With just a short drive, I arrived at the Cave & Basin parking lot a few minutes after sunrise.  I hiked the trail alongside the Bow River leading to Sundance Canyon.  The air was clear and crisp, fresh and invigorating.  The morning glow was beautiful and I loved those fluffy puffy white clouds that decorated the sky.  One thing was missing though, a fresh dusting of white gold.  

The trail was hard packed and almost ice in areas.  My spikes kept me upright and moving at a good clip.  The Bow River looked frozen with a light layer of old snow over top. 

a not so frozen section along an inlet off the River

The closer I got to Sundance Canyon, the more snow there was.  As I entered in and began to climb, I was very thankful to be wearing my spikes.  My plan was to hike the entire loop rather than an out and back.  I am OK with ascending through the canyon, but descending would be treacherous.  

at a high point in the canyon away from the drop offs

There are numerous spots along the trail within the Canyon that pass close to the creek and small tumbling  water falls.  The ice formations were captivating …..

…..as was watching and listening to the waterfalls behind the ice!

At the top, I left the canyon walls behind and entered into the forest.  It felt and looked like full on winter here.  The sun was hitting the tops of the snow-covered trees.  The air turned much crispier, I was dressed for it.

This was the perfect location to capture a photograph of my newest Christmas Tree decoration.  It’s a Great Horned Owl.  I put a dusting of snow on its’ head. Now it will come home with me with a little story to tell when I hang it on my tree,

 view as I began to descend back down to the valley bottom

a selfie shot in my favourite spot 

This is a close up of my new hat.  A friend was placing an online order so I added this hat to her order.  It arrived just in time to take to Banff.  

On the return portion of the hike, I veered off and hiked the Marsh Loop.  

Lots of open water in the creek.

view of Mount Rundle from the Marsh Loop Trail

settling in for the evening