Travels: Canada beckons

Banff, Alberta, Canada beckons

June 2018

Where water goes, life follows. Life is water, and so is the earth.

Robert Sanford

I am driven to the mountains in Canada like a salmon migrating from the ocean to where my life originally began. Of course in this case I am not going to lay eggs but am going to reflect on the amazing life cycle of the mountain glaciers and water. And I bring along the product of John’s fertilization of my egg, that is, my daughter, Anna with her partner, Zach. My goal is twofold. First that they both will be smitten with the same passion I have for Canada and secondly, they will take me hiking where I dare not go alone. They are both like mountain goats loving to hike and climb and find isolated spots. I reflect that once I was encouraging and supporting Anna's adventures and now our roles are reversed as she works to make sure I am adequately hydrated and dressed appropriately!

Day #1: Ice fields Parkway

Columbia Icefield

On the first day John and I drive the Icefields Parkway that goes 230 kilometers along the Continental Divide from Lake Louise in Banff National Park up to the north of the Jasper National Park. It is dotted with over 100 glaciers and ice fields, rocky spires, dense coniferous forests and alpine landscapes with each new breathtaking vision seeming to surpass the prior one. We stop at the Columbia Icefield which is the largest uninterrupted glacial mass in the Rockies. Erosions from water and ice have sculpted the mountains into amazing shapes as if a giant took a power tool to carve the current rugged shapes.

Columbia Icefield

Views of these amazing glaciers and ice fields receding at speed with river streams can't help but provoke one's thoughts about what is happening to our earth due to global warming. My emotions in response to these views are confused between the amazing beauty and inspiration of the scenery and the concern about the rapid change in our life time and the uncertainty of the future for these glaciers.

This blog is not my usual rambling narrative but mostly pictures of numerous glaciers, ice fields and tourquoise lakes and pristine wilderness in the Rockies. I hope to promote your own reflections about this small "tip of the iceberg" environmental problem in our amazing earth. How can we protect this?

I take a small hike up above tree line ~ wonderful wilderness

Will one day our grandchildren visit Banff National Park and think that glaciers are not real but science fiction?

Along the highway in one of the car pull off lots we see a Rocky Mountain Big Horn sheep family?

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While John and I explore the Iceland Parkway gawking at the glaciers and rivers, Anna and Zach hike into the mountains above the tree line onto glaciers. They must be up to 6000 feet about sea level. I am envious of their adventure.

Day #2 Biking and Hiking

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On the second day we do a combination of first biking in the park followed by a hike up to Johnston Falls. I originally thought I would bypass the biking opportunity but after watching all the bikers on the Icefield Parkway the day before I am motivated to try out this option. Actually I hope to see some elk or bears up close as we did on our last Banff trip.

Zach keeps us nourished with Canada maple leaf cookies!

In the afternoon we hike up Johnston Falls, a popular day hike John and I had taken the year before. It has amazing catwalks that are affixed to the limestone clips and is congested with folks all ages and cultures (even dogs) who are given access into a deep canyon that otherwise only serious climbers would be able to see. We climb to the upper Johnston falls that cascades down 40 meters. Last year when we were here we saw grizzly bears & I remember being frustrated because I didn't have my telephoto camera and only my I phone. This time I am armed with my big camera but the bears don't comply, just one bird.

Lichen glisten like gold

Baker Creek Mountain Resort
We stay in a casual resort consisting of log cabins, a lodge and Bistro. It originated circa 1949 by a gold miner and is situated at the edge of a creek and Bow River. Our 2 bedroom cabin has a stone fireplace, kitchen and no TV or internet. There are bikes and barbecues available to us. Each day we have breakfast in our cabin and make lunches for our adventures. At night Anna and Zach build a bonfire by the river. Yes a bit a heaven here.

Day #3 Hiking to Backside of Castle Mountain ~ Rockbound Lake Trail

Castle Mountain

Anna and Zach take me on an amazing hike up the back side of Castle Mountain. On the way up we are the only hikers and coming back we pass a few others but most of our trip we have been on our own. Apparently this is bear territory but we only manage to see a few marmots at the very top.

We hike several hours in the woods before we get above the tree line and then take switch backs up to the first lake. I think perhaps I could stop here but I am encouraged by another hiker who tells me of the beauty at the very top with the lunes and the 2nd lake. So I push myself forward scrambling a bit on the last bit but with the support of Anna and Zach who remind me to drink water and stop to give me treats. It takes 3 hours to get to the top where we have our lunch. It was definitely worth the extra effort, especially to hear the lunes calling.