23. Taylor lake

Distance: 18 km
Elevation gain: 750 m

Saturday, September 29, a good weather forecast, maybe a little rain in the morning, probably our last chance to go hiking this year so off we went on a recommended easy hike to enjoy the last of the larches. Taylor Lake parking lot looks across at Castle Mountain and what a beautiful sunny view we had before we left.

The trail to Taylor lake was an easy steady climb for our group.

Along the way we enjoyed seeing mushrooms,

and bunch berries. They are more beautiful than delicious.

Soon we came to Taylor Lake which was lovely even without sunshine.
There were 8 other groups eating lunch with us, probably overflow from the crowded, popular Larch Valley.

We continued on up in the drizzle to Panorama Meadow.

The hike through the meadow along side a singing creek was the best part. We enjoyed watching a couple American dippers but they don't show up well on pictures.

We crossed the meadow to extend the hike and hopped over very boggy patches. We decided to look over a distant pass in hopes of finding an un-named lake to personalize.

View looking back from the hill just before the soon to be named Grace's lake. Probably more larches than Larch Valley and very beautiful but without the sunshine and past their peak the total effect was not as glorious.

Herm and I personalized this lake but you are all welcome to come and visit. We left a duck behind to greet you.

22. Sentinel Pass

Distance: 20 k
Elevation gain: 726 m

Saturday, September 15 the forecast was warm, sunny weather in the mountains so we excitedly prepared to hike from Moraine Lake over Sentinel Pass down Paradise Valley. Not even the thought of the crowds milling around Larch Valley held us back. We went with a group so we could leave one car at the Paradise valley trail head.

After the switchbacks, the trail opened up into sunshine, blue skies, almost yellow larches and wonderful views of mountains including these ten peaks. I had totally forgotten how beautiful this was, last time was about 20 years ago with the kids.

Maybe I am more mature now and can appreciate the beauty better.
The trees were not quite at their peak for colour but the variety of yellows, greens and red plants made this as good as anything Ontario brags about.

Too soon we came to a small lake at the base of Sentinel Pass which with its gentle switchbacks invited hikers to climb up and look over the other side.

We hadn't expected this crowd on top of the pass but with sun and little wind we shouldn't have been surprised. The large rock wind shelter was evidence that this day was exceptional.

After lunch, we prepared to descend. Unfortunately this picture can't show the steepness of the rock and scree
we had to negotiate.

But others had done it safely before so who was I to chicken out. Besides, I could see a little bit of a trail at the bottom.  There was some snow on the rocks making them slippery but slowly and carefully we make our way safely down. Actually, it was fun.

Looking back, Herm got a good picture of some of the sentinels guarding the pass.



Down below we detoured to visit the Giant Steps - worth a trip in themselves.

As on other fall hikes, the woods
were full of a variety of colourful
mushrooms of all shapes and textures.

During the course of the hike, we kind of walked around three sides of Mount Temple. From Annette Lake we saw the crown of snow on top and reaffirmed our intention not to climb it.

One of the highlights of our day greeted us near the end of the trail - a large porcupine with all his quills on alert. After staring at us for awhile, he walked away.

This was such a glorious hike, I look forward to doing it again. We'll see.

21. James Walker Creek

Distance: 17 k
Elevation: 510 m

Labour Day weekend, Saturday looked like decent weather, so we decided to go hiking and try this new hike, recommended by a friend. Not too much elevation gain, good for tired people. The pictures in this blog were sent via email rather than downloaded as previous ones because that was taking too long. I need to find a better way.
At the end of Guinn's Pass hike we met some people interested in hiking with us so this was our first hike together.

James Walker Creek hike starts off the Smith Dorien road at the Saw Mill picnic area. The first stretch was very sociable, walking on old logging roads. Although it was in the forest, there were views, flowers and many mushrooms at this time of year.

One very interesting mushroom was this cauliflower textured one. We read that cauliflower mushrooms were edible but was this the same variety? We didn't check.










The trail became narrow but still good. Soon we arrived at this tarn, saw bear tracks in the mud but they were not very fresh. From here, we could see our destination ahead, the basins around James Walker mountain.

As we climbed out of the forest, we looked over a moraine into the basins between the mountains, What a beautiful sight and what a unique experience. This time we were IN the mountains, not on top of them. We tied a yellow ribbon to some trees to relocate the trail.

Three large rams welcomed us and stood to watch us hike by. I could have stayed to chat but a cold wind was blowing.

Although there was a little vegetation at the entrance to the basins, they were mostly stark inhospitable rock with a few tarns.

We hiked carefully from one basin to the other, where we found another tarn and more rock.

Here is our proof that we visited the second basin also. The tarn shows a little in the background. It was cold, cloudy and windy and snow pellets were starting to come down so we didn't hang around too long.

We turned around and tried to find our yellow ribbon but our navigator was disoriented and couldn't locate it so he led us cross-country. We couldn't get lost because we could see the tarn, our destination, below us.






 A good time was had by all.

20. Guinn's Pass via Ribbon Creek

Distance: 20 k
Elevation: 850 m

On Saturday, August  18. the weather was great, and we were ready to go again. One beautiful, strenuous day in the mountains is like several days of holidays and the city and work are forgotten.

This hike started beside Ribbon Creek on a wide fairly level trail, good for beginners.

Twisted stalk has a very inconspicuous flower but becomes more beautiful with maturity. I'm assuming this is a life lesson.

Although the trail has not climbed much, there are still mountain views, making this a great hike for beginners.

Ribbon Falls is the treat at the end of the Ribbon Creek Trail and a perfect place for lunch - on a rock in the spray if it's a hot day like we had.

After the falls, beginners turn back! It was a steep climb up to Ribbon Lake. The chain was a necessary safety device up the rocks, and fun to use.

Mildred's Tortoiseshells followed us all along the trail all day: ahead, behind, on the flowers beside.
Actually, it's safer to  see butterflies than bears.

Ribbon Lake was cold but the day was hot. It felt so good to take off my boots.
At the other end of the lake, by the campground, people were jumping into the cold water. Two guys explained to me later that it was a good way to get the lactic acid out of the muscles because the blood vessels constricted so drastically. Herm didn't want to wait for me to try it and I didn't push too hard.

 There were beautiful creeks to follow much of the way on this hike.

From this valley, we could look up to see Buller Pass which we had done 2 weeks prior. I don't pay much attention to where we are, just enjoy the environment but all the same it was nice to put the hikes together in my mind.

A steep, hot, barren switch back trail
up Guinn's Pass.We stopped at almost every cairn to look back and admire the view. (and catch our breath).

The other side of the pass was equally steep but much greener and more interesting. Another creek tumbled down beside us part of the way till it went underground. At the bottom of the pass we linked up to the Galatea trail

and followed another beautiful creek to the parking lot.

We ended the day with a picnic at Sibbald Flats. What a wonderful holiday!

19. Heart Mountain Horse shoe

Distance: 10.5 k return
Elevation gain: 930 m


 On Saturday, August 11, Herm and I were up for a strenuous scramble up Heart Mountain. We started early because we had a dinner date at 6:00. Having done this same hike 8 years ago, we anticipated a great experience.The top of the mountain looks heart-shaped from Hwy 1.

Herm is always teaching me about trees and I have learned to recognize massive Douglas firs somewhat by their bark but especially by their distinctive cones (with mousetails) which can be found on the ground under the tree. Here I was thrilled to see a young Douglas fir with cones, my size.













The scramble begins. Unfortunately the picture doesn't show how steep we were climbing. It wasn't scary because there were lots of places to step and hold. Actually it was fun.

From Heart Mountain we could look down and see the Bow River, Lac des Arcs and Exshaw.

Once we thought we were at the top we looked ahead to see the second peak and kept on trucking.






The top of that peak showed us the highest peak still ahead.

 From the top we could look back and see the heart again.



On the mountain peak again.

 

The rest of the horseshoe ridge was a beautiful walk

until I looked where and how we had to descend. It wasn't as bad as it looked but I decided I didn't have to do this hike again.

Before we descended, we could look down to the trail from the highway to Quaite valley where we have been eating Thanksgiving dinner for the last 5 - 10 years.
The whole hike took us 6 hours, the same as 8 years ago, and we got to our dinner party on time and showed them Herm's pictures of the day.