A very nice day, it was less hot than earlier in the week and after the first kilometre and a half we entered the unburnt forest that provided welcome shade. We took a break at the stream-crossing meadow where we had the view of Lineham Ridge and could see tiny specks that were John G's group headed there. The stream bank had lots of flowers that tend to thrive in watery terrain. The somewhat steeper trail to the upper lake ensued and we arrived to enjoy the vista of this upper cirque:

The highest of the Upper Rowe Lakes, with Lineham Ridge in the distance.

Barb, Jo & Steve at Upper Rowe Lake

It was probably around 15C temperature and there was a strong wind so no one was tempted to take a dip in the lake. We wandered along the shore to find a sheltered spot for lunch and finally went a short way down the outlet stream where there was a good spot below a cliff band:


Lunch overlooking middle Rowe Lake, Lineham Peak in distance

After a leisurely lunch with lively conversation we continued down to Middle Rowe Lake:


The lower of the two upper Rowe Lakes.

then beyond along the short dry outflow channel to the top of the spectacular cliff that overlooks Lower Rowe Lake:


Lower Rowe Lake from middle Rowe outflow

From there it was just a matter of retracing our steps to the trailhead to finish off a fine week of Waterton hiking.

Participants: Rosanne, Philip, Christine, Bill (photos), Barbara, Arnold, Nancy, Aldis, John ,Joanne and Steve (photos). Thanks for joining me.Ron C/S/P.

Flora report: as usual it was delight to see the flowers, some of which are not found on our usual day trips from Calgary. Here are a few seen on this day:

yellow monkey flower

red monkey flower

Mountain Bog Gentian

Prince's Pine flower

Bear grass was very rare, only a few were spotted in this off year.

Fauna report: A few biting flies, a woodpecker was heard and:

Anise swallowtail