47. Tombstone Lakes

Distance: 18 k
Elevation gain: 350 m

Friday, September 18, we set off for our last hike of the season to enjoy larch colours. We read there were lots of larch in the Elbow Valley beyond Elbow Lake. It was a lovely forecast so we set off. We arrived at the trail head and saw the snow.

After driving all that way, we figured we might as well continue and make the best of it.

After a short climb, we came to Elbow Lake.

The trail continued around the lake, over the outlet to Elbow River and along the beginning of the river.

Walking along a wide, easy trail, surrounded by mountains, felt awesome.

Soon we came to the Tombstone campground and the  turnoff for Tombstone Lakes. It was dry! Yeah!

However, as we climbed the path got snowier and snowier.

We knew there were a couple people ahead of us and easily followed their footprints to the lake.

The strong, steady wind which had pushed us along thus far even caused waves on the little lake. We were fortunate and thankful to find a relatively dry spot to eat our lunch and very rejuvenated by the sunshine which lasted only as long as we sat there.

The larches across the lake were definitely not in their full glory yet.

 Because the sun had been shining on the slope, the snow was rapidly turning to slush.

Actually the white snow accentuated the orange leaves and green plants and the trail was very beautiful.

 

This cairn marked the turnoff for Rae Lake, our original destination. The deep snow which obscured the unofficial path and a biker we met encouraged us to save it for another day and go to Tombstone Lake instead.

We both look forward to returning to this valley in the summer and finding Rae Lake on a less windy day.

46. Parker Ridge

Distance: round trip to saddle 4 k
Elevation gain: 272 m

On August 12, we started our third hike in a row,  a lovely, easy one with beautiful weather, even the wind up on top was pleasant. From the parking lot, we could see the ridge up above.

Following the trail indicated on the sign board would be easy for any traveler.

Again the flowers were mostly finished but on this hike, bright colour came from the foliage of various plants.

 The views were mountainous looking back at any point on the way up.

 Soon we arrived at the saddle along with many others.

First we climbed to the right for a look at the Saskatchewan glacier.I

It was mostly hidden behind the ridge from here. Judging by the number of wind shelters it must get pretty cold and crowded up here sometimes.

Even this high up in the Rockies, one can find many fossils. I can`t imagine this being an ocean.

We descended the right shoulder and went up the left. This gave a full view of the Saskatchewan glacier, lake and streams.

A waterfall flowed from another glacier to the left.

We ate our lunch at the end of this trail enjoying the full delta before us. There was a rock sticking out over the valley and I just had to try to get a little better pose for the camera.

45. Wilcox Pass

Distance: 12 k
Elevation gain: 335 m

On August 11, we left Mosquito Creek Campground early to get a site at Wilcox Creek Campground. There we had our breakfast before starting off.

The trail began at the entrance to the campground and based on the cars parked there, promised to be rather busy. The trail was wide and climbed and quickly rose above the trees to give views of the road and glaciers across.

It continued ascending at a steady rate up into the pass. We assumed this pile of rocks marked the high point and posed as usual.

Ridges to the west blocked the views of the glaciers so we extended the hike by passing over ridge after ridge to get to the west edge and admire the vast Columbia Icefields with various branches including the Athabasca Glacier.

It was way too cold and windy to eat lunch comfortably here we turned back and found a quieter spot.

Still a wonderful view.

We turned around and went back to join the trail through the pass.

44. Molar Pass

Distance: 20.4 k
Elevation gain: 540 m

On August 10, Monday morning we left Calgary early to get a campsite at Mosquito Creek. We crossed the road from the campsite, tested the water temperature in Mosquito Creek,(cold) and set off for Molar Pass.

The trail was easy, often along the creek with bridges for crossing. A couple tall waterfalls from a glacier held our attention as we walked along. Unfortunately for pictures and views the air was very hazy.(smoky)

The season was a little late for flowers so we enjoyed a variety of gorgeous mushrooms instead.

  Eventually we reached more openess and saw the pass ahead of us although we could not be sure of where the path would go.

A few more turns and we were encouraged by seeing the trail traverse the wall at an easy incline.

We entered the pass and surveyed the valley behind us.

The pass was wide and green and as we hiked in further we saw Molar Mountain.

Herm always wants to see what's on the other side so we walked on to the edge.

As with most passes, this one was very windy on top so we sunbathed in the lee of some krumholtz until it was time to go home for supper.

43. Healy Pass/Monarch Ramparts

Distance: 27km return
Elevation gain: 35m

July 15, 2015, we caught a nice day in the middle of the week for a day trip up to Healy Pass and back. Just before 9:00 we set off up the road and were glad for the sunshine given the forecast for clouds and showers later in the day. We crossed Healy Creek on a new bridge built after the flood of 2013.

After about 6km of walking through the woods we crossed the creek again and started to see the colourful  alpine meadows in peak season. The mosquitoes were so bad when we sat down that we needed our coats and ate quickly.

Flowers

 and

more flowers!

While walking through the meadows up to the pass, we studied the Monarch Ramparts and thought how wonderful it would be to walk on a ridge for 4 kilometres. Other hikers explained the route and told us it was do-able. We looked over the pass at Egypt Lake and Scarab Lake but the ridge looked more interesting.

As we ate our lunch we contemplated the view ahead and watched another group precede us. Follow the ridge to the end at the Monarch and descend slowly. There was an unofficial trail for the most part. We had ponchos for the rain. Why not do the circle?

One of the watering holes in this tarn-filled valley was Eohippus Lake where we would descend from the ridge - probably the most distant one.

The ridge was bleak but the views around us awe-inspiring, rugged on one side and greener on the other. We had to pull out our ponchos twice for 2 brief showers but they weren't cold. It's hard to get lost on top of a ridge so we just kept going.

We saw the rain clouds move down the Healy Creek valley so we would have gotten wet anyway. In the background was Mt. Bourgeau  (hike 4), our first major long hike, very visible from this ridge. We identified the pass at the left and the long ascent up the slope, a very good, still clear memory.
The trail began to descend above Eohippus Lake.

Up to this point the way had been clear but now we had to find the trail to Simpson's Pass and it did not seem to be marked. We walked in the general direction and came across a faint trail with a recently bent  plant which we followed confidently.

In 3 km we would hit the main trail at Simpson's Pass and continue on home through Healy Creek valley. What a wonderful hike!