Helen Lake, Cirque Peak

Sept 17, 2009 | Helen Lake 2372m, Cirque Peak (Banff NP) 2993m | 18.5km | 1050m gain.

Cirque Peak reflected in Helen Lake. NE of Bow Lake on the Icefields parkway (Hwy 93). One of my premier hikes/scrambles of 2009. One of the hardest to narrow down the photos from at any rate.
If you open this shot full size you'll see two figures. They became my improptu hiking partners for a short while after I spotted a grizzly bear digging in the cirque just short of Helen Lake. Besides a large group of Japanese tourists they were the only other hikers I saw that day.

Once up a little higher from the cirque I was able to watch the mother grizzly with her two cubs running circles around her playing. A rare treat & thankfully it was thru my binoculars.
Dolomite Peak
Cirque Peak kept cycling in & out of the clouds. I decided to attempt regardless & was glad I did. I got chased off prematurely by a thunderstorm but had good views while I was there & it didn't begin to rain until I was almost back down to Helen Lake.
Part way up Cirque Peak I met the second half of the Japanese group. The first had better english & warning of the bear seemed to go ok. With this group I had to finally pull my bearspray & show them the picture of the bear on it & point to the cirque. THEN they got excited.

They were quite concerned for my welfare. Pointing at the peak they said "Very cold, very cold." then looked pointedly at my legs. Must have though I was nuts to be wearing shorts. We parted ways each amused in our own way from the encounter.

I love days like this for shoot'n. The clouds add so much to the drama of the scene.

Dolomite Peak again. Cool looking mountain.

I recall thinking "I should be at my desk right now" & then laughing manically.