Ptarmigan Cirque

The Highwood Pass is the highest paved pass in Canada, at 7,238 ft above sea level. And right at the top of the pass is where the Ptarmigan Cirque starts.

Despite the intimidating start, this is actually a very accessible hike, and one of the first hikes my kids actually enjoyed. Most of the 355m of elevation gain is right at the start, so it levels out pretty quickly into the alpine meadows.

Giant Cedars

Whenever we drive through the national parks that Highway 1 meanders through, I always make a point to stop at some of the points of interest along the way. While our ultimate destination might be the Okanagan, I can’t help but marvel at the amazing things we pass on the way.

The Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail in Revelstoke National Park is one of my favourite stops. Accessible enough that even small children can manage it easily, it’s a unique way to stretch your legs after a few hours in the car. Especially if you live in the prairies.

The trees are — naturally — amazing, but difficult to photograph. But the undisturbed meadows that surround them look exactly like a scene off of the moon of Endor.

Jeepin’ at Abraham Lake

On a sunny Sunday morning this October, I hopped in the Jeep and headed out to Abraham Lake. My maps showed a good selection of trails that were open to on-highway vehicles, and I was itching to get off-road before the snow starts falling.

I never did find any trails that allowed me and my Jeep, but the scenery I found on the side of the highway was worth the trip. Maybe next time I’ll leave enough time for a hike too.

Clearing a backlog

I have a backlog of photography that I hadn’t processed or posted in the past two years. I’ll be posting these albums and one-offs over the next few weeks/months in order to catch up.

Grotto Creek Canyon Trail

In the late spring I dragged the family out to the Grotto Creek Canyon Trail in Kananaskis. We’d attempted the hike before, when the kids were much younger, without success. This time we made it past the brush under the powerlines to the good bit — actually hiking up the creek.