Our annual boys trip, this year down to Waterton for four days (three nights)of perfect weather sandwiched in between rain days. July 31 - Aug 3, 2009.
Day One: This was the big one. Rowe Lake Trailhead (on Akamina Parkway), Lower Rowe Lake, Upper Rowe Lakes, Lineham Ridge 2560m (fourth highest maintained trail in the Rockies) then seemingly endlessly down to Lone Lake. 20.1km, 1490m of gain, 1100m loss.
Little Golden-mantled ground squirrel that wanted a handout at Lower Rowe Lake. Eric kept giving him little pebbles that he would dash off with.
Lower Rowe Lake
Rowe meadows and the approach to Lineham Ridge from the goat track cutting across from Upper Rowe Lake.
Toiling up the trail to Lineham ridge. Lots of flowers set off against the red argilite rock.
Lineham Ridge & Lineham Lakes below as well as view out over Upper and Lower Rowe Lakes and many peaks beyond.
Even where there wasn't the stunning Beargrass there seemed to be flowers everywhere.
Stand of mature Larch on the final pull into Lone Lake.
Artsy shot of Lone Lake. Our campsite for the night.
Day Two: Lone Lake to Twin Lakes
A very short haul over a few minor bumps past Blue Grouse Basin to Twin Lakes. 7.2km, 215m gain, 235m loss.
This was along the way, Blue Grouse Basin.
Lower Twin Lake... our slacking place for the afternoon.
I had a few options for some sidetrips but everyone felt kinda lazy so we hung out by the lake snoozing, reading, & skipping rocks.
Up early the next day for some shoot'n by Lower Twin Lake.
Day Three: Another hot grunt day. Twin Lakes, thru Snowshoe CG, up to Castle River Divide, then up and over Avion Ridge and down to Goat Lake. 14.7km, 700m gain. 645m loss.
Eric and Mike racing to the summit of Avion Ridge. I hung back not wanting to make them look bad ;>) ... but I did win the race as they stopped just short of the highpoint. Technicality but who said life is fair?
Mike on Avion Ridge
Looking down the valley to Goat Lake, our last campsite of the trip.
Cascade below Goat Lake (after dinner shoot'n)
I was going to make a seperate post for just the Beargrass photos. It was a good year for Beargrass and it was stunning. Definitely one of my favorite wildflowers.
Day Four: Goat Lake and out to Red Rock Canyon. 7km, 530m loss.
Morning shot of Goat Lake.
Wandering homeward. They're probably discussing what song is stuck in their respective heads.
Good trip all up. I guess this would be our sixth year of doing this and hope there are a few more in us before life gets in the way (perhaps it never will.)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tamarack / Avion
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mt. Whymper
July 25, 2009. Mt. Whymper, 2845m, +-10km, 1250m gain. (just into BC on Hwy 93)
For me this was a challenging scramble & I quite enjoyed it but was glad we were able to descend by a different route rather than downclimb some of the bigger steps.
Some pretty sustained scrambling up some cool steps formations that deteriorated into some rough dodgy going but alls well, we made it to the top without major incident. 
Stanley Glacier to the south.
The day was a scorcher & I burned through my 3 litres of water before the end of the descent. I felt kinda like the burnt trees we were hikig through. Thankfully Wietse & JP had stashed some cold ones in the creek. 
Now on to some backpacking prep...
Oh and Wietse's photos:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Mount Rae
July 18 2009, Mount Rae, 3218m, +-7km, 1000m gain. 
The approach is up Ptarmigan Cirque (a popular dayhike) and a scree slog with some kick stepping in the snow until the final push along an exposed ridge. At least that last bit of ridge was my preference rather than rollerball slabs.
This is one of the higher peaks in the Highwood Pass area. 220m higher than Cascade, a starting point higher than Mt. Ware just to kinda put it some sort of perspective.
Approaching the summit.
360 degree views. Mt Assiniboine in the center of this shot out over Kananaskis Lakes. 
An airy drop to the east (Shannon hates these shots)
Wietse was my partner on this outing and you can view his photos on his website It was a great day out for my second scramble of the season.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Canola
I fly by this scene twice a day & tonight after a long day surveying in Calgary I decided to pull over & shoot it. Some things should not be taken forgranted.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Paradise Valley
July 11, 2009. Paradise Valley, Lake Annette, Giant Steps (Banff National Park) 22.5km, 500m gain.
A ‘date’ with Shannon complete with wrestling marmots and thunderous avalanches coming off Mt. Lefroy. 
Lake Annette in the shadow of Mount Temple 3543m big kahuna of Banff area scrambles (maybe one year when timing with late summer / early fall weather works out...)
Giant Steps
Spire on Eiffel Peak.
Watching the avalanches. Meal and brew in Banff to top off a pretty fine day out.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Carthew - Alderson
July 4, 2009. Carthew - Alderson (Waterton Lakes National Park) 19.9km, 650m gain, 1000m loss. (thru hike from Cameron Lake, past Summit lake, over Carthew Summit, past Carthew lakes, Alderson lake, & out at Cameron Falls in the Waterton Townsite)
Views into Montana (Glacier NP)
Carthew Lakes
Long exposure in the shade of the 'walk in the woods' final 7km.
Gotta love that beargrass!
Thanks Eric for joining me & sicky Shannon for shuttling us. Way too many shots to pick from... outstanding hike!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Ellis Bird Farm
Few shots from June 28... one of our outings on a family visit to Lacombe was to the Ellis Bird Farm which gave me a few opportunities for some shoot'n. 
Looking down the lane.
Charlie and Winnie Ellis (the orginial owners) were of my Grandparents vintage & this place has that 'visiting Grandpas farm' kind of feel. You can read about the history etc at the link above if you want. My sister recalled visiting Winnie Ellis with our Grandma for tea. The farmhouse is actually now a teahouse.
Charlie's original grain elevator.
My neice and nephews got the opportunity to bottle feed the lambs.
The place is rife with stuff I take forgranted having grown up in a similar setting. There are some great learning opportunities for kids (& adults) to learn about nature & some of the things we can do to help out. They have webcams into some of the nests & interactive exhibits as well as the grounds with nest boxes & gardens designed to encourage nature. Came away with a few good ideas & the feeling that lately things are moving way too fast. A visit to a place 'stuck in time' will do that to ya I guess.
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