Hiking Powder Face Trail on July 21st

 There was a voracious wind on the top of the ridge!

 Notice the beautiful contrast between the colour of the clouds and the vivid blue sky; so stunning!

 The hair blowing in the wind gives a small taste of the powerful wind at this elevation.

Hiking Sulphur Mountain on July 19th

 Sulphur Mountain is a most enjoyable hike.  The big horn sheep at the top are entertaining to watch.

 While packing stuffed animals for the orphanage, I remembered this little beanie baby I had. Trekker is now our little mascot that will travel to all our summits with us.  Since we have seen numerous, enchanting little chipmunks on most of our hikes, it seemed appropriate for him to accompany us.

 A close up of "Trekker" joining the trekkers in training!

 This is the popular self guided interpretive walkway to Sanson's Peak.

 Here we are at 7,486 ft.  Another outstanding view!

 He is just too cute so I keep taking his picture.  I'm sure he would rather have food than photos.

Jana is using mosquito spray while trying to protect her camel-back hydration tube.

This is the Hilton of Hiking!  The trail is wide, easy to follow and has an observation area with washrooms at the top.  It has picnic tables, a restaurant and shops inside. 

For those who don't wish to hike, you can take the gondola to the summit and survey the vast beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

Hiking the North Approach of Mt. Allen

We hiked for eleven hours today and did not see one other hiker. It's not a very comforting feeling to be the only two people on the trail and see warning signs for bears and cougars.  We did have our bear spray, however, if a bear ever got close enough for me to have to use it, I don't even want to think of that option.

 

 

 

 Hiking the North approach of Mt. Allen is beautiful but I prefer the South trail much better. The enormous mosquito population on the dense forest trails made for a most unpleasant experience. 

 Jana's turn to lead the way and fend off the spider webs with her handy dandy stick!

 These orange square markers were comforting sights as they let us know we are on the right trail.

 This is one of the many trails on the mountain ridge.  I love being above the tree line and having the wide open view!

The splendor of it all!  This is the view of Mt. Peter Lougheed.  God's handiwork is indescribable. 

 It doesn't get much better than this!

 Believe it or not, this is my favorite part; climbing the rocks and doing the scrambles. 

 Summer colours in all of nature's glory! 

This flower is called "Cushion Pink".  It is a small mountain-dwelling wildflower that is common all over the high arctic and tundra in the higher mountain areas!

 How small and insignificant we seem against these majestic mountains and yet God knows each of us by name.

 Can anyone tell me what kind of footprint this is?  From where I was standing this looked quite large and unfriendly.

 This is a cairn, a term used for a man-made pile of stones.  These stone markers help hikers know where the trail is when the path is unclear.

 Jana is excited to be at the summit but her expression says: I can't believe these pesty mosquitoes followed us to the summit.

 I'm stuck!  This tree won't let me go.  One of the loops on my backpack got entangled in this tree and we played tug-of-war for awhile.

 We hiked along the top of this ridge before reaching Mt. Allen.

July 14 - Hiking at Cascade Ampitheatre

 Our friends, the Taggerts, joined us today; they are avid hikers.

 We saw a dead golden eagle on the trail.  This is an unusual sight due to the fact that they don't have many predators.

 This little chipmunk likes my sugar peas!

 Another lunchtime friend, this Pika came to see if we would share.

 This Columbian Ground Squirrel was another curious lunchtime visitor.

 Should I? The temptation is too great!

 The summer view at Norquay