Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Larch Valley

This was a view taken just over a year ago along the Larch Valley trail in the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park, starting from near Moraine Lake. Way down below and well out of sight, is Moraine Lake. It's a long, uphill hike, with 10 (?) switchbacks. Though it nearly killed us, the views were, of course, spectacular. I don't normally do hikes like this, which makes it so much harder when I do go on one, maybe once a year or even less often. Plus, I am so unfit! Taken on 3 October 2011. Funny how this scene looked so beautiful last night, but this morning, when I look out of my windows, snow does not look at all welcome. Snowing heavily and it looks like there is plenty more to fall from the sky. The roads are going to be treacherous, but unfortunately, I have a routine dental appointment to get to. SNOWFALL WARNING - heavy snow over southern Alberta through Friday. A rather chilly -6C today, with windchill -13C. I guess you could say that winter has truly arrived in full force. However, compared to what the folks on the east coast are going through, I feel I am extremely lucky - to have a home with warmth and lighting, plenty of food and water, and everything else that makes life bearable. My heart goes out to those who are going through such hardship!

Took this photo a year ago, on 3 October 2011, when I went with friends to Larch Valley. We welcomed the bit of sun and blue sky when we went west of Calgary, to hike up to Larch Valley from Moraine Lake, though it turned cloudy for a good part of the time later. After climbing 360 meters (1181.088 ft) in elevation with ten uphill switchbacks to "endure" and hiking 2.6 kilometers, you enter Larch Valley near this spot, where it opens up into a huge meadow. There is a window of just two or three weeks in which to see these Larches at their best - they were past their prime when we were there, but still beautiful. The Bear ruling was in effect - you must hike in a tight group of four or more people. Those Grizzlies sure have a spectacular place to call home : ) We were very fortunate to be there on a relatively "quiet" day. Someone else, who went on a different day, said that people were having to park 2 km (or miles?) down the road, away from the start of the trail by Moraine Lake! We were able to park in the actual parking lot by Moraine Lake. We would never have made it if we had had that extra 4 km to walk, lol! It is one of the most popular places for people to visit, especially in the fall. hikealberta.com/hike/larch-valley-sentinel-pass-trail

This is a zoomed in view taken from the Larch Valley trail, Banff National Park. Way down below and well out of sight, is Moraine Lake. The fall season of beautiful yellow Larches was past its prime, but, as you can see, there was still some golden colour. Though the photo may look a little "strange", there is just something I like about it : )

This is one of the beautiful views that friends and I came upon when we had climbed the very last of the ten uphill switchbacks on the Larch Valley trail a couple of days ago. After climbing 360 meters (1181.088 ft) in elevation and hiking 2.6 kilometers, you enter Larch Valley near this spot. I got home around 9:15 p.m. from a wonderful day out at Moraine Lake and the switch-back hike up to the beginning of Larch Valley (Banff National Park). There was the expected Bear ruling, that people must hike in tight groups of 4 or more people - and there were only three of us. After waiting quite a long time, we asked a couple if they would like to join us. They hadn't planned on going on the hike, but they spent the next few hours "puffing and panting" with us up an endless series of uphill switchbacks through amazing forest. The view looking down though the trees on the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake was spectacular. I'm sure this couple, on holidays from England, won't soon forget their moment of madness when they agreed to accompany us, ha! They were delightful company and so patient when they had to wait for "some" of us to stop and rest our painful joints at regular intervals : ) They seemed to enjoy themselves, though - and they even had a few mushrooms pointed out to them. The day started off at around 1C with very dense fog in places. The light was pretty low for taking photos all day, and the gorgeous Larch trees had already lost a lot of their yellow needles. Nonetheless, we soaked up the beautiful scenery that surrounded us. There is a window of just two or three weeks in which to see these Larches at their best. We went on a Monday and there were far fewer visitors than at a weekend. How lucky we are to be able to visit and explore such places! Thanks so much, Stephen, for driving us on such a long trip - it was an absolute treat and so much appreciated! That Tim Horton's coffee on the way home sure hit the spot, too! www.canadianrockies.net/banff/articles-about-banff/banff-...

We welcomed the bit of sun and blue sky when we went west of Calgary a few days ago, to hike up to Larch Valley from Moraine Lake. After climbing 360 meters (1181.088 ft) in elevation with ten uphill switchbacks to "endure" and hiking 2.6 kilometers, you enter Larch Valley near this spot, where it opens up into a huge meadow. There is a window of just two or three weeks in which to see these Larches at their best - they were past their prime when we were there, but still beautiful. You can see a lot of bare branches in my photo. The Bear ruling was in effect - you must hike in a tight group of four or more people. Those Grizzlies sure have a spectacular place to call home : ) We were very fortunate to be there on a relatively "quiet" day. Someone else, who went on a different day, said that people were having to park 2 km (or miles?) down the road, away from the start of the trail by Moraine Lake! We were able to park in the actual parking lot by Moraine Lake. We would never have made it if we had had that extra 4 km to walk, lol! It is one of the most popular places for people to visit, especially in the fall.