All rights reserved
Copyright ©2023
explor8ion
logo
All rights reserved
Copyright ©2023
explor8ion

Tag : wildflowers

Pushover, Mount

What can I say in conclusion about this trip? It had a bit of everything. Disappointment with a cloudy start. Slowly ramping up the positive vibes as the sky cleared and the trail wound its familiar way to a lovely alpine landscape of lakes, rushing streams and acres of colorful wildflowers. Apprehension mixed with excitement as I picked my way up an unfamiliar and unknown route, experiencing all the highs and lows that comes with such adventures. One minute thinking it all looked very reasonable and the next thinking that all was lost. Walking to the summit under a brilliant blue summer sky with views to familiar peaks, lakes and valleys and knowing that once again the Rockies had provided a sneaky, but reasonable scramble route up a challenging peak. A relaxing exit through gorgeous landscapes with a feeling of success. It doesn’t get much better than this my friends, and I am grateful that I still get to experience these moments.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Alpine Climb / Joffre Group / Scramble / Trip Report 1

Hollebeke Mountain (+ North Kootenay Point & Peak)

I enjoyed this trip more than I thought I would when first researching it. Although the mountains are small and there are no huge, dramatic views of lakes or glaciers as elsewhere in the Rockies, there is plenty to keep the retinas active in this cozy valley. The rocks are a brilliant mix of reds, purples, yellows and greens. The vegetation is thick and the wildflowers are amazing in this corner of Alberta where it abuts our equally scenic neighboring province to the west. Creeks bubble down the valleys and old roads and trails allow for relatively easy and quick access. A highly recommended loop for adventurers looking for something off the beaten path and some serious alone time.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Clark Range / Scramble / Trip Report 0

Sira Peak

Despite a terrible bug experience along the Forty Mile Creek trail, I can’t rave about this route on Sira Peak enough. This peak goes into my top 10 easy remote summits for several reasons including the lovely approach trail, incredible fields of flowers, lovely tarns and lofty summit views. The fact that so few people bother with this officially unnamed “V10” summit despite its 3000 meter apex only makes me love it even more. Highly recommended for backpackers who are in the area or fit parties as a relatively straightforward day trip from the Norquay ski resort.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Hike / Rockies / Scramble / Trip Report / Vermillion Range 2

Lougheed IV, Mount (Wind Mountain)

Wind Mountain was a very nice outing – a 10/10 as far as moderate scrambles go. With a bike approach, good trails to tree line and a fun route to a lofty summit, there really are no downsides that I can think of.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Kananaskis Range / Scramble / Trip Report 3

Tornado Mountain

I didn’t feel rushed all day and other than some crappy riding and forgetting my poles, this was a solo trip that’ll stay in my positive memory banks for a long time I think. Tornado Mountain is a combination of hard work (the approach), route-finding, hiking and gorgeous alpine and forest landscapes.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
High Rock Range / Scramble / Trip Report 0

McCarty, Mount

Mount McCarty was a strange mix of very pleasurable hiking in fields of wildflowers surrounded by impressive mountains and a bit of a thrash through heavy vegetation (soaking wet) and myriads of bugs including mosquitoes.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Clark Range / Scramble / Trip Report 0

Shanks, Mount

I can’t really say enough positive things about the Mount Shanks scramble via the route we took. What’s not to like about it? A pleasant hike through a burned landscape with wild rivers and streams, flowers, green grasses and incredible views to some big, remote peaks.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Hawk Ridge / Hike / Scramble / Trip Report 1

Glasgow North & Garriochmill Peak

I had a lot more fun on this easy traverse than I expected. Highly recommended as a less popular option in this extremely busy area of the Rockies.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Fisher Range / Scramble / Trip Report 4

Long Prairie | Pine | Macabee Ridge

I recommend this loop for a lazy weekend afternoon when you realize that you want to get off your couch but you also realize you don’t want to get too much exercise.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Hike / Trip Report 0

Carbondale Hill (Lookout)

Would I recommend my route on Carbondale Hill? Yes and no. If you want to try a north approach I recommend trying the cutline route. Start where I did and follow the track I did a bit further to see if there’s a trail up the cutline. If there is, this could be a wonderful option.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Clark Range / Hike / Trip Report 5

Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill is not destined to be one of the greats. But it’s a thing with a high point – possibly even an official “summit” that’s not the one you hike to. And you can never have too many of those on your bucket list. Can you?

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Clark Range / Hike / Trip Report 0

Ginger & Maverick Hill

IMHO there is much value in a peaceful front range solo rambles where the mind is free to wander along with the butterflies, the bees and the sharp scents of spring as they carry along on crisp front range breezes. I think that in a world that only seems to admire extremes, there is a deep satisfaction in realizing that “simple” is fast becoming the new “extreme” – if only because it seems so hard for many of us to do.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Blairmore Range / Hike / Trip Report 0

Carry | John Ware | Muley | Forked Ridge

Honestly this set of 4 “summits” was a nice day out (better than sitting on the couch) but it certainly wasn’t a highlight of the year or anything. There were a bunch of wildflowers on Carry’s south ridge if you’re into that but otherwise don’t expect too much from this hike other than fresh air and exercise – never a bad thing.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Hike / Trip Report 0

Albert, Mount

After easily hiking to the top of Mount Baldy near Beauvais Lake in the Castle Wilderness, we turned our attention towards Mount Albert – it’s slightly higher neighbor to the southeast. We had lots of great views in between short stints through “dwarf forest” as we followed orange trail markers that were sometimes harder to spot than you’d think based on the fact that they’re orange.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Clark Range / Hike / Rockies / Trip Report 0

Bull Creek Hills

For Mother’s Day 2016, Hanneke wanted to go hiking. That was fine with me! After doing a bit of research I decided the perfect Mother’s Day hike would be Bull Creek Hills in the Highwood Range near Eden Valley in Kananaskis Country just west of Longview. I was right – it was the perfect hike! There is more than one way to reach the summit(s) of Bull Creek Hills. The most popular way seems to be hiking to Grass Pass before heading eastward over some intervening bumps and hills before finally summiting the eastern high point. I’ve been to Grass Pass before, when I descended Gunnery Peak with Wietse and when I ascended Holy Cross, and I’ve read that there can be a lot of horse poo on the trail so I wasn’t keen on doing that route. After some searching around I came upon the illustrious Sonny Bou’s trip report from January 2015 and I liked the direct nature of his route and the fact that it was a loop taking advantage of two prominent ridges. I love ridge hiking.

Fine. Give me more of this drivel.
Highwood Range / Rockies / Trip Report 0