Crimea River's Weekend Pics

[at6]

Great photos. You live in a very beautiful area. Makes me want to get back into Yosemite and the high country along Highway 120.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks and yes I do. Wish I could get out to enjoy it more often.

 

[ontos]

Wow, great shots Andy and what beautiful country, thanks for the trip.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks Merv.

 

[Crimea_River]

Got the opportunity to do another hike with some mates on Sunday. Though we had that freak snow storm in early September, the rest of our Autumn continues to be glorious and above seasonal average temps. The trail we did this time was to Boulder Pass, an 18K round trip with 640m elevation gain, that is part of the route that takes one to Skoki Lodge, the oldest lodge in the Canadian Rockies (Skoki Lodge - Lake Louise, Alberta) and a famous retreat for the world's more well-to-do's (Will and Kate stayed there after their wedding but the math says young George was not conceived there, lest ye Brittons may be ruled by a Canuck one day).

The hike took place at the tail end of fall colour season, the most prominent attraction in this area being the larch which turns a bright yellow and carpets the trail with it's yellow needles. The weather was sunny with lots of cloud in the afternoon, making for some tough shooting as all the scenery shots were into the sun. I'll nonetheless post those to give you a sense of the view. Here goes:

Ptarmigan Peak Elev. 3059m

Spruce Grouse, aka Fool Hen - and yes we were that close.

Ptarmigan Peak to the left, Redoubt Mountain to the right

Ptarmigan Peak again, just to the right off the picture, Pika Peak Elev. 3033m right of center, and Mount Richardson Elev. 3086m to the left. Definitely Grizzly country!

The troop heading uphill, fading yellow larches in the background. Right above our heads is Whitehorn Mountain, on of the peaks making up the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

The reason it's called "Boulder Pass". These huge boulders crashed down from Redoubt Mountain.

Ptarmigan Lake, the end of our trail and where we sat to enjoy a well-earned lunch. In the distance is Deception Pass which takes you to Skoki Lodge, which is another 6km from where this picture was taken.

Heading down, with a great view of Mount Temple in the foreground (Elev. 3544m) and way off in the distance, the "Matterhorn of the Rockies", Mount Assiniboine (Elev 3618m) about 60km away!

Last look before heading home.

 

[ontos]

Nice shots Andy, what beautiful country you are making me jealous.

 

[fubar57]

Great shots Andy. Love the Blue Grouse and correct about the nickname, not the brightest bird in the stew pot.

Geo

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks guys. "Blue" Grouse Geo, or "Spruce" Grouse? Either way, you're right. Could have had a fricassee that night.

 

[T Bolt]

Beautiful shots Andy!

 

[fubar57]

Nope, you're right. I think I was just more used to seeing Blues when I lived on the coast, the sub-conscience took over. They weren't very bright either.

Geo

 

[Wurger]

Beautiful , just beautiful !!!

 

[Wayne Little]

That's some great landscape you got there Andy!

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks everyone.

 

[Airframes]

Beaut shots Andy. The kine of country I would love to walk, similar, on a much larger scale, to the area around me, but regrettably, my hiking days are over.

 

[Gnomey]

Great shots Andy!

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks mates.

 

[Wildcat]

Magical looking country side Andy, would love to visit your part of the world.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks Andy.

 

[Crimea_River]

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the provincial park that butts onto my subdivision and had to stop to marvel at the dramatic lighting on the hoar frost as the sun began shining through the lifting fog. Unfortunately, I did not plan on taking pictures and so did not have my SLR with me. So out came the cell phone whose battery was almost dead and, thankfully, it lasted long enough to be able to share a few pics with you.

 

[vikingBerserker]

You just live in a beautiful area.