Elevation gain: 1500m
Friday, August 5th, Herm and I hiked up Mt. Bourgeau. It is probably the most difficult hike we will do. I assumed we were in top condition at that time since every year we will be older so we decided to do it now. We camped overnight at Two Jack Lake so we could get an early start. We hiked from 9:00 till 7:30 – I was tired at the end but fine the next day.
The beginning until Lake Bourgeau was in the trees except for a few beautiful views. This step waterfall coming down from the lake was marvellous.
Herm posed for a shot at the lake where we ate our lunch.
We continued the hike, climbed steeply and then looked down on beautiful Lake Bourgeau. The colour was much bluer from above.
The hike got steeper and the flowers got more beautiful. The winner this time was the gentian – bigger and brighter and more abundant than we have ever seen.
Many hikers stop at Harvey Pass because they think it is already so beautiful and getting late but we decided to continue even though we heard a thunder clap and could see rain down the valley. I needed to reach the top to count this as one of my hikes.
From Harvey Pass we had a good idea of the route to the top. Pictures never show the elevation gain realistically but one step after another got us there.
These brave yellow Alpine potentilla covered the mountain slope and encouraged me to keep going.
From the top we could see other mountain peaks in all directions. It was windy but intermittently and not very cold. Actually warm enough for some sunbathing.We only felt a couple drops of rain.
Because I felt I would never do this hike again, I consciously enjoyed it, let the grandeur sink in and said good-bye. I had just finished reading "Tuesdays with Morrie", about saying goodbye and tried to practise what he taught.
"Because I felt I would never do this hike again, I consciously enjoyed it, let the grandeur sink in and said good-bye."
ReplyDeleteThat's not easy for your daughter to read, but I guess there is a lesson there I'll carry with me.