Urban Hike Overlook

Urban Hike: Overlook Area 6/26/18 19:00CDT

Distance: 2 miles. Rating: 5/5

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Warm. Muggy. Cloudy. Sporadic rain drizzle. 

Thoughts/Observations:

Beautiful rainbow. Was privileged to actually view a complete bow! Reminds me of GOD's promises. 

Gracie was great company, as always!

Banff Expedition 2018 - Day04

Hike: Plain of the Six Glaciers  Lake Louise  Sun. 5/27/18 11:00-18:00CDT
Distance: 7.3 miles  Rating: 5.5/5.0  Difficulty: Strenuous due to distance, difficult terrain, navigation, and avalanche zones.
Conditions: Trails were littered in upper elevations with several avalanches.  Made navigating and hiking difficult.  Some area were very slippery and snow was several feet deep.
Thoughts/Observations:
Certainly the most difficult hike of the expedition but I noticed it also had the most pictures taken.  The views were simply breathtaking.  On one or two occasions we were able to hear the thunder of distant avalanches. 

Banff Expedition 2018 - Day03

Hike: Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots  Sat. 5/26/18 09:00-14:20CDT

Distance: 8.5 miles  Rating: 5.5/5.0  Difficulty: Moderate +

Conditions: Trails excellent.  Partly cloudy. Mild. Light breeze.  Lots of foot traffic later in the day in Johnston Canyon.  Less so toward the Ink Pots.

Thoughts/Observations: 

Fantastic falls!  Observed large whitetail doe on trail.  I believe it would have come up to Diane if another hiker had not come up and frightened it away.

Truly magnificent creation.  Another opportunity to worship GOD in the midst of HIS Creation.

Banff Expedition 2018 - Day02

Hike: Peyto Lake Summit Trail  5/25/18 early afternoon

Distance: 1 mile  Rating: 5/5  Difficulty: Moderate due to ice and snow

Conditions: Mid 50s (degF). Calm.  Snow and ice on ground.  Slippery conditions.  Mostly cloudy.  Trail was crowded.

Thoughts/Observations:

Gorgeous!  Most blue water I have ever seen.  Jaw-dropping scenery all around.  Several photo ops at the summit observation area.

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#2 Photo-op at Waterfowl Lake off Icefields Pkwy (Hwy 92)

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#3 Hike: Parker Ridge Trail 5/25/2018 16:30-17:30CDT

Distance: 1 mile  Rating: 4.5/5  Difficulty: Very strenuous

Conditions: Trails still heavily snowed in.  Very difficult time navigating the trail.  We needed snow shoes!  Beautiful vistas.

Thoughts/Observations:

Was very proud of Diane.  She was a "trooper".  The hiking was very difficult for us, and especially so for her (with shorter legs).  We all slipped down and fell through soft snow on several occasions.  For safety, we turned back just shy of the summit because we could not be sure of the trail.

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#4 Hike: Athabasca Glacier  5/25/2018 18:00-18:40CDT

Distance: 1 mile  Rating: 5/5  Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Mostly sunny.  Brisk.  Cool.

Thoughts/Observations:

My first time ever hiking to a glacier.  Wonderful sights -- almost Martian or moonscape.

Banff Expedition 2018 - Day 01

Hike: Lake Moraine  5/24/18 13:00-15:00CDT

Distance: 1.0 mile  Rating: 5/5  Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Lake partially thawed but still with large flows of ice.  Temp in mid 50s (degF).  Light to moderate breeze.  Recent light rain.

Thoughts/Observations:

First hike of our Banff Expedition (with Diane and Robert).  My first International Hike!  Lake Moraine is absolutely gorgeous.  The blue-greens are surreal.  We hiked up to the overlook for some inspiring views.  I believe this was probably Rob's favorite spot of the expedition - I can understand why.  This place is good for the eyes and the soul.

Observed chipmunk, weasel, and pine marten.

35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
Psalms 68:35 (NKJV)