The forecast was pretty much horrible when we left the city, but sometimes you’ve just got to go anyway. The old adage “a bad day in the mountains is better than a good day in the city” always bounces around in my head at moments like this. 90% chance of rain pretty much means we won’t be seeing much scenery, but the fresh air, the far reaching conversations, the soreness when you wake up the next morning – all lure me to press the accelerator just a little further toward the floorboard. Plus, the clouds might just break.
By the time we reached the hut, the sogginess of the day had made itself clear. The next day was no different. We wandered in the cirque near the hut. Day three, we decided to trek in the direction of Amethyst lake. Minutes after hitting the trail, the clouds gave me a hint that something might break. Over the next 2 hours of trail, these photos make the inadequate attempt to demonstrate what we witnessed.
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- It seemed everywhere I looked that morning was whimsical, almost dreamlike. Above the frosted meadow I saw this summit pressing firmly through the fog.
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- The water flowed from Amethyst Lake to the east. The divide was only a few kilometers away. Such a fine line that decided.
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- Heading down to Chrome Lake, the fall colours had spread throughout the meadow. Alpine foliage is so diverse, and the blues you can find in the mornings are never better than at these altitudes.
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- By the time I arrived at Chrome Lake the sun was starting to reflect off the mountain rock. the light was rising and the mist was starting to dispel. The calmness of the exchange was evident in the surface of the water.
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- The water flowed from Amethyst Lake to the east. The divide was only a few kilometers away. Such a fine line that decided.
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- I waited for first light before I headed out. The sun was just starting to touch the peaks. I slipped twice on the sheen of ice that the dew had left over the rocks. Breaking into the meadow from the forest I discovered this moment of bliss. Fearful mist waiting to be chased away by the morning sun.
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- Sometimes all you need to do is change your perspective. Seconds after capturing my subject I couldn’t miss the pyramid shape in beyond. A quick twist brought new life to the same scene.
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- Looking north with Amethyst Lake at my back, the clouds started to break and for the first time in a few days, blue sky emerges with the snow capped peaks around me.
© Eric Petersen – All Rights Reserved
Comments 2
Fantastic photos. The Tonquin Valley is my favourite hike. Those photos truly capture the beauty of the area
Thanks Don! It’s an incredible area. We’re lucky to have the Rockies so close! What other good ones are at the top of your list?