Barrier Lake
Sarah's friend and colleague from the UK came over to Calgary for work purposes but came a little early and stayed with us for a couple of days over the holiday weekend. Laughing in the face of jet lag Janice was keen to get out and explore the mountains.
As it was holiday weekend and thousands of people were flocking to the usual tourist traps of Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. We opted for Barrier Lake, much closer to home and should be less popular.....when we arrived the car park was already almost full.
the lake looks so different to the frozen mass that has greeted us every time we have been here until today. The beautiful blue water and surrounding green valleys touched with a dusting of snow capped peaks made it a spectacular scene.
Posing in front of the lake with Mt Baldy dominating the scene in the background Sarah and Janice look happy so far.....will that change as we ascend.......
by the half way point it is very warm in the dense forest ascending the seemingly endless switchbacks, jackets are off but we're still smiling.
by the time we reached the lower end of the ridge the smiles were as big as ever but the rest of the body perhaps not so happy. Sarah had some good blisters from her new shoes which we plastered up at the top as we sat looking over the lake.
As usual it took Sarah less than 5 seconds at the top to get into the drinks and sandwiches
we only spent 10 minutes up there eating lunch before Sarah and Janice were cold and ready to descend or so they said, but there was certainly talk of shopping once we got back.
We followed most of the switchbacks on the descent except one really long one that we dodged by taking a short cut, soon we were back down at Barrier Lake and posing in front of MT Baldy once more.
We followed most of the switchbacks on the descent except one really long one that we dodged by taking a short cut, soon we were back down at Barrier Lake and posing in front of MT Baldy once more.
one last shot as we pass by the lake and then we're in the truck heading home, a quick shower later and Sarah and Janice are away to the shops, I decided to stay home and write this instead ;)
This was a great little hike in spectacular surroundings with the best of company, Barrier Lake is definitely a place to return to again and again