Kananaskis Road Trip

Kananaskis was calling when I needed to be off my property for the entire day. The weather forecast was so-so and I was feeling a bit on the lazy side so I planned for a car trip.  With more sitting than walking and loads of photo opportunities, I hit the section of Kananaskis off Highway 40 where life begins.  There was nothing stopping me along the way, only sights to slow me down which was fine as this was meant to be a slow day anyway.  This Bighorn Sheep was savouring the salt in the middle of the road, he was going no where.  I slowly detoured around him with window down and camera in hand.  

 

The first stop was at Wedge Pond which is also one of my favourite picnic spots, yet that would be when the weather is warmer and the Pond is ice free. It looked grey with cloud cover off in the distance to where I was headed. I did not linger long here, I'll save that for another time. 

a smaller Bighorn Sheep on the side of the road

(this is probably a female)

was with this big brute

When I arrived deep into Kananaskis at Upper Kananaskis Lake, which was as far as I was going and as deep in as I could drive, it was cold, windy and feeling very much like a winter day.  The lake is still frozen with gigantic ice chucks pilled up along the shore.  Once again I did not linger long, I opted to be back in my car and aim for where I could see blue sky.

 a very small section of open water

a Stellars Jay

I left the deeper sections of Kananaskis behind and ventured up to Kananaskis Village to walk The Rim Trail.  It was spring-like up here and much more enjoyable.  It was a busy place, lots of people on the trail, construction sights & sounds, the Park Pass inspection vehicle monitoring the parking lot, then other people who looked somewhat official of some sort in some way.   

views along the Rim Trail

I could see grounds keepers down on the golf course working their magic.

Dark-eyed Junco

The crocuses were plentiful and I enjoyed photographing them 

with snow covered mountain peaks in the background.

You may have heard of Kananaskis or Kananaskis Village in the news this past while.  It is the location for the G7 Summit in mid June.  I believe the construction sights & sounds I heard were related to getting the area ready.  I was somewhat surprised at some of what I saw!  I snapped some shots, zoomed in on certain spots.  I will keep the photos for myself.  A very wide swath will be closed off if it is not already.  The thought that came to mind was I pray for a safe, successful, summit!

Next along this Kananaskis Road Trip was a stop at Mount Lorette Ponds.  By now I was wishing I had some fire wood and my hammock.  I would have settled into one of the picnic spots and stayed awhile.  The birds were singing, the air was fresh and the sun was feeling warm.  

path beside the Ponds 

male Barrow's Goldeneye

his partner

The final stop was at Barrier Lake.  Would you believe that is ice!  The lake is still fully frozen.  I picked a picnic table and just sat and looked at what was in front of me, that beautiful shade of ice with the mountains as the backdrop.  Once again I saw the Park Pass inspection vehicle monitoring the parking lot.  

I had some hot beverage still left to savour!

Yes!  Kananaskis "where life begins"!