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Published: March 3rd 2013
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Sunshine Meadows
Our group split when we arrived at the Meadows. So many people signed up for this walk (73!) that organizers arranged car pools in addition to the bus. Finally walking with Joyce again, we went in her car with Ann and Cecile. The traffic was more obvious in a car, and surprising for so early on a Friday. Perhaps some were getting away early for the weekend, forecast with excellent weather.
I had never been to
Sunshine , presumably because of its main activity of skiing. The turn-off is a bit west of Banff; the others in the car were exclaiming about how much the road has improved, including paving all the way. As expected, we arrived before the bus – a good opportunity to get to the washrooms first.
The disadvantage was that we never were clear on what walking options had been offered in the bus. In any case, Joyce was clear in her mind about the best way to enjoy the predicted wild flowers – and she was right. Everyone had to walk up a fairly steep service road for about fifteen minutes; then we split into several groups, some to go peak walking and others to see the lakes.
We wanted to see
Rock Isle Lake
Deep blue small lake, island echoing the crags in the mountains the lakes. All the paths were well groomed throughout our walk. The first lake even had a constructed view-point.
Rock Isle lake was the epitome of a mountain lake: deep blue reflecting the cloudless sky and pines dotting the background, distinguished by dark silver heavy rock outcrops on one side and in the middle of the lake. After a short stop at the viewpoint, we walked by along the path, catching glimpses between groves of pines. An information sign explained that these groves throughout the meadow came from random seeds being blown into small depressions where they were sheltered and could grow.
The next split in the path offered a loop around Larix and Grizzly Lakes. Over a gentle rise the wildflowers became more prolific: shades of Paintbrush (deep ruby, red, pinks, salmon and pale yellow), yellow daisies and unknown little yellow blooms, tall white and tiny white flowers, and acres of anemone seed-heads. A stream trickled down through the rocks of another rise, another viewpoint provided. Grizzly Lake had its own natural environment, half colonized by grasses growing in the water. We walked at a comfortable pace, happy to stop for quick photos.
Our lunch break
Larix Lake
The warm sun sparkled the breeze-blown water. took advantage of a large, exposed rock formation overlooking Larix Lake. We munched and chatted and feasted our eyes on the distant mountains shadowing the light teal lake. After eating, a general movement spontaneously arose to continue on the loop path back to the main path.
Our final choice for the day was to climb up to Standish Lookout rather than having to hurry to complete a meadow walk that didn’t look very entertaining. Burying some misgivings, I followed the majority of the group up, up, up to the Lookout. As Joyce described, the path did lead diagonally around the base of the peak and then diagonally up to the constructed viewpoint. To my great relief, the view immediately erased from memory the effort to climb to the promontory. On all sides the mountains gleamed in the afternoon sun that lit the meadows. The three lakes formed pools of depth and mystery, very evidently occupying distinct levels on the landscape: Grizzly Lake was the lowest; next to it Larix Lake was the highest; and Rock Isle Lake was mid-level. We could see members of the B hike returning to the meadows from their ridge walk, and quite a number
Grizzly Lake
This quiet reed-bordered lake fades into the meadow. of other hikers were on the paths and at the Lookout.
At a time decided by others, we left the Lookout. The downward trip on the path was tricky because of loose stones, but there were enough flat sections and the whole was short enough that it didn’t bother me or my knees too much (wearing knee braces today). Once we were past the flowered meadows, the walk so exciting in the morning was rather anti-climactic and the return to the “Village” was mundane. We joined the others who were there relaxing in the shade, until our 3:30 bus left for the lower parking lot.
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