The Halfway Hut as I see it

After sketching the log cabin I stayed in while in Jasper in June, I knew I wanted to sketch a similar structure.  It was quite simple to pick one as I have many of the Halfway Hut to choose from.  I wanted the cabin to be the focus and not the trees nor mountains.   I picked bristol vellum to lay the work on as it would give a rough and rugged look.  Lots of work was put into a very detailed grey pencil sketch of the cabin first before adding any colour.  I am pleased with how the cabin, trees, sky and mountains turned out but not so much with the grass and dirt.  I know where I need to invest time in tutorials to accomplish a look I like.   

The Halfway Hut is a great spot for a break while on the way to where ever you are headed in the Skoki Region.  The structure is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building.  It was originally built in 1931 as a shelter for those hiking or skiing from the Lake Louise Train Station to Skoki Lodge. It sits halfway between these two locations.  These days it is used as a spot for a quick rest stop or to take shelter from the weather.  Inside you will only find a bench, a broom and a dust pan.

The first time I saw the Halfway Hut was on October 31, 2009 while on a Hallowe'en hike to Boulder Pass and I have stopped by it every time I hiked or snowshoed in the area, well except twice. While I don't know the exact count and don't feel like figuring it out, I will make a guesstimate of a dozen plus a few occasions give or take one or two.  It is accessible in all seasons.  Over the years I have had the good fortune of venturing this way in winter, spring, summer and autumn on my way either to Boulder Pass, Ptarmigan Lake, Redoubt Lake, Heather Ridge, Fossil Mountain, Packers Peak, Packers Pass, Deception Pass, or Zigadenus Lake and Myosotis Lake.  There are many more places to explore up in that region so I know I will visit the Halfway Hut again.

Sparrowhawk Environs October 6, 2020

 It was splashes of colour and bubbly personalities 

that brought brightness to today!

When I stepped out my front door to begin loading gear into my car for a hike up into the Sparrowhawk Environs, I noticed my vehicle was sprinkled with ashes from the forest fire not far away.  When I returned with a second load of gear, I noticed it was now raining.  What forecast was that in, none that I checked!  After loading myself into the car and turning the wipers on for a clear view was when I noticed I had no washer fluid.  Drove down the road to a station to remedy that problem.  I motored along until I became stuck on Stony and as I sat there, a most beautiful rainbow appeared.  This had to mean something!  It was so bright and colourful and cheerful!  

We met at the trailhead and I expressed to my friend that I had been in this area only once and we were caught in a blizzard just before the tarns so we saw nothing! I hoped that today I would get to see what all the hype is about up in this area.  For our entire hike today, it was overcast and it sprinkled yet there were splashes of colour everywhere. 

Those splashes of colour were found in the ground cover, in the bushes, in trees and in my friends' attire.

my friends on that November 12, 2011 day

my friends today

We came to a very colourful location that had trees for protection and rocks and boulders to sit on.  We picked this to be our dining spot then settled in.  I also picked this to secure my location shot.  I feel my choice of attire paired nicely with these environs. 

The larch trees are plentiful here and I even discovered some larch bushes.  The bushes were prime whereas the trees had lived their life for this season.  When the trees are past their prime is when the trails come to life becoming covered with the gold needles.  I realized it may take a third try hiking up here to experience the beauty at its best.  I will see you in 2021!

As we exited the trail out to our vehicles on the dirt 742, the sky opened, the blue appeared, the sun shone!  While it was an autumn on the verge of winter day hiking, it felt like a late summer on the verge of autumn day for the drive home.  There is beauty in it all if you are open to it!  

Laycock Larches Lingering

Another day with a fabulous forecast faced us and I did not want to let it go by unacknowledged.  Walking from home along the pathway system to Laycock Park was how I filled a couple of this morning's hours. The map showed this Park contains larch trees so I made it my mission to pay them a visit.  The colourful views for the entire walk there and at the Park itself were splendid.  These trees have been at the forefront of my thoughts this season like never before.  I believe there is still potential for more witnessing over the next number of days.  The beauty of the city larch trees is lingering a little longer and it feels like a make-up for what we have endured.   

Each gold circle shows where clusters of larches are located within the city of Calgary.

 

heading somewhere but not sure where

Ideas have been swirling around in my head of how to make my "out & about" experiences even something more than they already are.  This is a first shot at mixing together adventures with sketching.  This may or may not be the direction I want to head but the brain-storming has begun and it is a work in progress.  I am finding lately that in addition to spending time with family & friends, in addition to venturing along the trails, in addition to some out there solo time, sketching is playing a big part in taking me somewhere, where I do know I want to go!    

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Pearce Estates & River Walk Colours October 4, 2020

We are making the most of our Sundays and today was no different. We thought our Sunday get-togethers were on hold for a short while so when we were gifted today, off we went again!  We went for BIG Colour.  My sister oooogled larch trees on the golf course and then googled to see where we could see more.  Her search showed some at Pearce Estates and along the Riverwalk.   The entire walk today was bursting at the seams with colour!

It seems even though we meet every week and chat between visits, there is still so much to talk about.  I may be guilty of allowing some of the conversation to get left behind when I have this in front of me.  It's WOW moments like this that I wonder maybe this season is my favourite!  

We found the larch trees and my sister aimed to get lost in them!

On Friday she discovered how soft they are.

I think she is now a larch lover like the rest of us! 

I believe the larch trees in the city are still on the prime side of life!

I came away with so many beautiful photographs today that I want to share.

We crossed over to the other side and this was the view as we did so.  

The other side was just as beautiful so we found a spot to sit for awhile and carry on with our conversation yet still with distractions as we people watched, dog admired, and were distracted by the colourful scenery.  My camera is experiencing hiccups lately and I prayed it would not get a bout of them today.  I was just pointing and shooting today and here are a couple more of what I got in return.  

Time was getting on as was our distance and we needed to get on, get on with our walk and then get on with our day.  We got to experience the same beauty all over again as we returned the way we came.  The same, same did not get old!  

💕🍂🍁🌞

Ford Knoll October 2, 2020

We were due for an "out & about" together and the idea of a hike around the Ford Knoll Loop out in Elbow Valley was put out there and the plan to go for it fell into place quickly on short notice.  To that plan we tacked on a lounge-around for afterwards at Forgetmenot Pond putting out feet up while sipping and savouring.  

I arrived at the parking lot a bit early so while I waited for Happy Hiker, I walked around The Pond and through a meadow close by.    The autumn colours were glorious as was the blue sky, fresh air and the scenery. 

a touch of autumn reflecting in Forgetmenot Pond

Upon Happy Hiker's arrival, we chit chatted a bit while gearing up then aimed for a trail across the road on the other side of this fence. Immediately we whipped out our cameras to capture sweet seconds in time.  While the colours caught my eye, it was the wood fence shadow that truly drew me in.  

Lots of the trail is through the forest but when you pop out you really pop out to amazing views.  We went to the edge to get this wide open vista of Powderface Ridge and the dirt winding Powderface Road.  It has been ages since I ventured up onto that Ridge, I think I am due!

Back into the forest we went for another little while then there we go again, popping back out.  This time we popped out to a view of Nihahi Ridge.  We made this our dining stop.  There was nothing but a sky of blue with loads of bright sunshine and that makes it a challenge for me to capture photographs.  I do like the shadows.  

a framed view along the way

As we were nearing where we would begin descending, while admiring the colours and the view of Forgetmenot Ridge, two gentlemen cowboys came up behind us.  They stopped, we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes and then they trotted off.  They stopped here and little did we know a discussion was taking place about something other than the view.  They did a turn about and came back and offered us their cold bottles of water.  How thoughtful!  When I told them prior that we were heading to The Pond to make tea and that on this hot day I wished we had cold drinks, they thought I meant water!  Once again they trotted off.

We continued on our way down and aimed for the Elbow River to follow it back to the parking lot.  Along the way the wild mustangs came out of the trees in front of us. The stopped here to feed on the foliage.  I told Happy Hiker this was like the icing on the cake today.

At the parking lot we geared down then gathered a new set of gear and picked a picnic table with a view to settle in for awhile sipping and savouring.  What a beautiful October autumn day this was.  We were down to short sleeves, pants rolled up and bare feet.  With such turmoil these days, I thought how thankful I am that I call Calgary, Alberta, Canada my home.  As soon as I downloaded today's track I saw it as a maple leaf.  🍁Oh Canada🍁   

Nose Creek Larch Trees September 30, 2020

explosion of colour at Nose Creek

Today was a day to pack up then head west for a longer drive, a longer hike, a longer day but when the time came to execute that plan I didn't have it in me to be behind the wheel.  I needed to "save the day" as it was a beautiful day and I wanted to make the most of it.  I stayed in my neighbourhood instead and explored around Nose Creek which I have done numerous times over the past years.  

Today I discovered larch trees grow here!  This type of larch tree is called the Siberian Larch.  There were about a dozen scattered throughout this section of the forest at various stages of turning colour.  Some that were hidden in the middle were still full on green.  I like the look of the larches mixed with firs and pines and spruces. 

green & gold so pretty when paired with blue & white

a larch tree as pretty as it gets

Further along into the forest shades of red appeared.  

sights along the way

The oooh and aaah moments were plentiful!

it's simple, it's pretty, it's simply pretty

This is the 9.5 km route that exploded with colour.  It's filled with lots of little ups and downs, bridges to cross, along the creek, through forests, over wide open meadows, beside short shrubs.  I could see in the distance there are additional sections that were just as bright so I know I need to go back soon while the explosion of colour is still in progress.