31. Rummel Lake/Pass

Distance: 16 km return
Elevation gain: 530 m

August 27, the day after Old Goat Glacier, we hiked to Rummel Pass, an easy hike according to the books.
The first part of the hike through the woods was already colourful with red fireweed.

 

Finding small, wild blueberries all over beside the trail also sweetened the walk through the cutblock before the mature forest.

Once again our trail disappeared due to flood damage but my orienteering partner bushwhacked us to join another fork across a creek. Good for him, I would have backtracked. Soon we came to the lake from which we could see Rummel Pass, our next destination..

A climb through the woods soon brought us to a beautiful sub alpine meadow,

The pass stretched before us, at least another 1/2 kilometre of walking over talus rock. First, a tarn, now dried up.

Then another lakelet, this one still with water.

Another dip and rise and more rock.

And finally, the peak of the pass and we could look over and see Lost Lake and a trail which leads to Lillian Lake and Galatea Trail.

Since we had eaten our lunch at the lake, we had to be content with apples and satisfaction at reaching our goal.

30. Old Goat Glacier

Distance: 8 k return
Elevation gain: 643 m

August 26, a cloudy day in Kananaskis we hiked to Old Goat Glacier. It was great to get a decently early start even though we got up late since all we had to do was cross the road from our lovely campsite on Spray Lake.

We started off through the trees as usual to our destination, a canyon with a small glacier back in the mountains we could see in front of us.

Soon the regular trail ran out and we followed trees marked with red flags across several gravel slides. This was 2013, the year of the massive flood which damaged and destroyed many trails from Waterton to Lake Louise.

Most good trails feature a waterfall and this one didn't disappoint us.

As we climbed higher and further into the mountains we could see Spray Lake behind us.

 On a cliff opposite our trail, my travel guide spotted 2 white specks, too white to be rocks. Upon closer inspection with his binoculars, he proclaimed them to be the mountain goats after which the mountain and glacier were named. You be the judge.

And the cropped version.

After a steep climb, we entered the canyon and marveled at the huge gravel moraine stretching out in front of us. Of course, we would walk to the end. The most unusual thing for me was the way a shout echoed off the straight mountain walls. It would reverberate many times always more distant.

Herm was there too posing in front of all that is left of the mighty glacier that carved the canyon and left the gravel as it receded..

 What's a hike without a good lunch and photo op at the end?

29. Yamnuska

Distance: 11 k return
Elevation gain: 900 m

August 17, during our church campout at Bow Valley Provincial Park, Herm, a friend and I hiked Yamnuska for the third time. There are so many variations of this scramble that except for the chain, I took a different route every time.
On the way up to the ridge there are beautiful views of the valley to the south.

Soon we could see the front side of Yam and wonder how we would climb it. Of course, we scrambled up the back.

The first "exciting" step of the scramble is coming through this chimney.

Followed by many other scrambling opportunities.

As we looked back, we saw the many trails we could have taken; some clearer, some higher with less change in elevation and the one we had chosen.

The Yam is well known for the chain which helps hikers negotiate a very narrow ledge, much easier than going over the top or flying.

As usual, we enjoyed our lunch on top.

We chose a different descent this time to enjoy more scree slides than ever.

After the exhilerating scramble, walking through this peaceful woods on the way back to the parking lot was just what the surgeon friend ordered.

We frequently drive down Hwy 1 past Yamnuska and always notice it and remember our strenuous scrambles over and around it.

28. Karst Springs

Distance: 9km return
Elevation gain: minimal

August 13,  before Naylis' birthday party,and on the  anticipated birth of Marc Evan Brisson, I set out with some friends on an easy hike to Karst springs, near Mt. Shark, and a mountain swim.

Lisa, Emmy, Sue, Ruth and Sheryl on the boardwalk to the springs.

The creek poured and fell over rocks and under logs between bright green, mossy banks.
It came out of the mountain in this unique karst rock.

We were so impressed with the beauty and wildness of the stream, we praised God in song.

Then back to the lake for the promised swim. Emmy, Lisa, Sue and I enjoyed the warm, shallow water although we sank at least 10 in silt.

A wonderful day of fellowship in the mountains.

27. Moose Mountain

Distance: 15 k return
Elevation gain: 650 m

Saturday, August 3, Herm and I hiked Moose Mountain, a beautiful day for the most part. After hiking through the woods a few kilometres, we could see our destination. The trail zigzags up the first peak and then continues on to Moose Mtn and the fire lookout.

The summit stood like a fortress before us.

As we neared the top the clouds rolled in and threatened rain.

We continued on to the top anyways and enjoyed a hurried lunch.

A short walk with a poncho and the rest was sunny again.

                                        A beautiful hike with many flowers and especially stonecrop.

26. Sparrowhawk Tarns

Distance: 10.2 k return
Elevation: 671 m

August 3, we decided to do an easy hike, not a climb. The weather was perfect, the cirque with tarns was perfect. The trail starts at Spray Lakes, goes kind of past Reed's Tower and ends in a cirque between Red Ridge and another mountain.

My photographer husband is also the navigator and spent his time studying the map and identifying the mountains. He took many pictures of flowers and butterflies while waiting for me to finish my lunch.

The rocks in the cirque were very interesting and filled with various fossils.

As we entered the cirque, we came to a sink lake but the tarns were mostly dried up puddles.

We scrambled over rock and small streams all around the perimeter of the cirque.

The streams were cold , good for refreshing tired feet and removing lactic acid from tired muscles? Herm was persuaded to try it and pose for the picture.

Inside the rocky cirque was a soft green meadow with moss, flowers and butterflies.

After a beautiful afternoon enjoying the water and moss, we descended back down to Spray Lakes.