High on Sunshine September 16, 2026

high on Sunshine both figuratively and literally

🏔☀️🏔☀️🏔☀️🏔☀️

After monitoring the weather and my schedule, the stars finally aligned for one last ride up to "the top of the world" before the gondola shuts down for the hiking season on Sunday.  Employees were already at work preparing for the upcoming ski season on the Sunshine Ski Hill.  After riding the gondola up, I then veered off to follow the hiking trail further up instead of taking the chairlift up. The temperature was barely above freezing which meant frost cover was scattered here and there. 

I wondered what the colours would look like!  

No need to wonder any longer!

I was first to arrive at the viewing platform at Rock Isle Lake.  The tell tale sign was there were no boot prints in the frost on the bridge until I crossed.  It was chilly with not even a breeze.  After leaving the viewing platform and.....

.....rounding the corner, the view of Rock Isle Lake was even more spectacular, yet it was the cloud at the base of the mountains in the background that caught my eye.  

Oh my what a crazy sight! Somewhere down there are Grizzly and Laryx Lakes.  

Today's plan did not include hiking in that area. I opted to head west along the Twin Cairns Trail. This area was closed when I was up here back in early July.   

I came here for the ground colour, for the possibility of golden larches, to see snow-capped peaks and for the peacefulness.  I got it all tenfold! I saw no one once I left the intersection for Standish Viewpoint/Twin Cairns. The ground cover colour was at its prime. Many larch trees were at their peak while others were mid way and many had not started to change yet.  

There were the little things and the big things that captured my attention.  

I was in no rush to get anywhere, I was on "high on sunshine" time.  

When frost meets autumn shades, the detail is wondrous!

Oh my what a crazy sight!  

That's Mount Assiniboine behind the top end of the Standish Chairlift.  

It was the big things like this alpine meadow with a mountain range backdrop.

It was the little things like this ice with a sun sparkle in the middle.

I took some time at the Monarch Viewpoint to have a hot beverage paired with snacks.

The trail descending from the viewpoint leads to a favourite spot to spend a little time.  Along the way there are beautiful sights to see.  Even the ponds took on the autumn shades.

a thriving Hippie-on-a-stick

This is a favourite spot to sit awhile.  

The boulder is big, it's flat, the views are spectacular.

Yesterday I removed certain patches from my backpack. I kept Iceland and Canada then added the others.  I have room for new patches which I hope to collect next spring. The patches become conversation pieces. The middle top patch is Norway which I purchased in April. While hiking today, a guy noticed it and asked when was I there. As it turns out he's from Trondheim Norway.  

a perfect Golden Larch Tree

After spending significant time at that favourite place, 

I ascended to begin hiking the trail that would descend back to Sunshine Village. 

another valley covered in cloud

It was the little things like this small patch of red!

It was the big things like this whole meadow dressed in red! 

This was the view upon arrival back to Sunshine Village. The sun still shone brightly and it felt a tad bit warmer. I felt completely fulfilled and was in no need of anything more other than to hop on the gondola for the ride back to the parking lot.   

What a wonderful Wednesday it was being high on Sunshine!