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!