The Front Ranges looked quite snowy down to low elevations as we headed west but there was only a dusting on the highest peaks by the time we drove past Castle Junction. It was around freezing as we departed the Taylor Lake trailhead but we soon warmed up as we gained altitude. The trail was dry and in good shape. At one point beside the trail there was a spruce grouse who accommodatingly flew into a tree for better picture taking:
Male spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) poses for a portrait
We took a break at Taylor Lake and headed up to the meadows. The larches lower down looked rather green but became more golden as we gained altitude. We found an easy route with minimal deadfall to attain the ridge where views of the Bow Valley emerged:
Getting into the larches on East Panorama Ridge
On top there were good views up the Bow Valley, down to the ponds in the Panorama Meadows and to the peaks to the southeast:
The green tarn at the base of Panorama Ridge
Larch view east from the top of East Panorama Ridge
While at the summit a helicopter came by, checking out the basins on both sides of the ridge before making a low pass overhead – wardens on a search? The temperature was not bad while the sun was out but when clouds crossed the sun we felt the rather cool air temperature around freezing; time to head down. Most of us chose a diagonal descent to maximize time in the larch forest:
Barbara & Aldis sidehilling on the descent from the ridge
It was a pleasant walk down through the larches and warmed up appreciably out of the breeze. Near the last tarn a meadow vole was spotted scurrying through the grass into its hole in the ground. Along the exit stream from the tarn we watched an American Dipper as it flew from rock to rock with a few dives into the creek in search of food. A break was taken at Taylor Lake to loll in the sun before the 1 & ½ hour hike back to the cars:
Taylor Lake
Rest stop in the sun at Taylor Lake
7 went to a pub in town to restore calories and electrolytes. Thanks to a great group who contributed to an enjoyable fall day in the mountains: Participants: Ron C/S/P, Bill, Aldis, guest Brandur, Laszlo, Leslie, Barbara and Karen
