Great weather + great hike location + great companions = unbeatable day. We got to Moraine Lake parking at about 9:45 and there was hardly a parking spot to be found. Time for the tourist photo:


Moraine Lake postcard

We headed up the trail at a good pace and came out of the forest into Larch Valley where a good spot for a group photo presented itself:


Sentinel Pass group (sans Coordinator)

It was a little cooler in the open areas where the wind was whipping down from the pass. There were lots of people heading up to the pass with some heading beyond up Mount Temple. Below the rim of the pass it was warm enough to take our lunch break:


Sentinel Pass

A number of golden mantled ground squirrels and chipmunks worked the crowd. The views across to the Ten Peaks were excellent, with many cornices still hanging in the cols. We then headed down the north side through the large boulders where some short sections of the trail were indistinct. For entertainment we watched some guys bum sliding down some snow slopes at sometimes high speed. Bill also came down by glissading, at a more controlled and measured pace. We also watched four climbers slowly working their way up the Grand Sentinel; it is not a very solid looking climb:


Sentinels with Mt. Lefroy behind

Climber on the Grand Sentinel (centre of photo)

Back down at the treeline we were treated to abundant flowery meadows. Notable were many clumps of columbines, arnicas, intensely coloured paintbrush and many other flowers. We decided to add on a side trip to the Giant Steps and headed cross-valley:


Crossing Paradise Creek in upper Paradise Valley

After a leisurely break there it was time to head back to the cars. The vistas were great on the way to a short stop at Lake Annette. After completing the car shuttle from an overflowing Moraine Lake parking lot, 7 went for dinner at the Lake Louise Hostel.

Thanks to a great group of Gerry, Barbara, Kathy, Yolande, Carmie, Jane, Cornelis, Bill (photo, flower consulting) and Aldis for providing an enjoyable birthday for the coordinator. Ron, C/S/P.

Stats courtesy of Cornelis’ GPS: 20.6 km, 983 metres elevation gain.

Fauna report: golden mantled ground squirrels, least chipmunks, a pika and 2 toads, one near the Giant Steps:

Toad near the Giant Steps

Flora report: many alpine flowers including dwarf bramble, white mountain avens, bog orchid, moss campion, white-flowered rhododendron, etc., here are a couple of photos:

Yellow columbine in Paradise Valley

Rayless groundsels

Also, Morley Flats is a sea of harebells.