after dreaming of some of these hikes for years, I finally had the free time and good weather to complete a number of bucket items. First I headed to mount assiniboine for one of the most epic and difficult hikes I have done. i stayed 2 nights at the lake magog campground, which is a 33 mile loop from the trailhead. after setting up camp i then did another 5 mile loop to the nub peak twice to take sunset photos. Assiniboine is the tallest peak at 11,871 feet, with sunburst peak in front of it. it was honestly the most beautiful location I have been. surprisingly, there were very few people on the overlooking Nub hill for sunset. on the way down to the trailhead, The colors of Marvel lake below were incredible.
I returned after a couple weeks for a 10 day group of hikes, after plans to go to the columbia ice fields were canceled. First stop was Canmore, where I found this herd of Elk before checking into my hotel, and then visiting lake minnewanka.
the next morning I left at 5 am to hike the fire road to lake Ohara in Yoho park. fortunately there was fresh snow in the mountains and the leaves were just starting to turn yellow.
for the next 5 days i hiked a loop over ball pass to egypt lake, pharoah peak, shadow lake and back to ball pass. i was fortunate to be able to stay at shadow lake lodge for 2 nights. The climb up Pharoah peak was very steep, and the first time I climbed it a layer of thick clouds came through, so I had to return the next day for these morning views.
the following day i got up early to watch the sunrise at lake morraine, a popular classic. i then planned an "easy day" to rawson lake, but i couldn't help myself from completing a climb to sarrall ridge to overlook spray lakes.
on my final day i completed a tough hike up to smutwood peak.
