July 2017

Azure Lakes

Cutthroats zig zag

Pollen grain floats on the surface

It is true, the upper reaches of North Ribbon Creek hold magical places.  Toad Forest, 10,000 year old moss covered cobbles, canyons, falls and torrents.  Springs at the trailside, cool forest and crystal clear lakes.  Our trip brought us to the second lake, the third is up high, unexplored over the scree slopes and into the barrens.

A fire is burning in Mt. Assiniboine Park to the west.  Smoke flows over the peaks of Mt. Lougheed and Mt. Allan in the afternoon, then clears.

The old man of the woods

The washed out section of trail with rope

Canyon

The side trip to the canyon’s waterfalls

More waterfalls

Waterfall

First Memorial Lake and the cascade falling down the mountain from the third memorial lake

More waterfalls!

Ancient moss covered talus

Looking back to the slopes below ribbon peak

Second Memorial Lake (approach)

Second Memorial Lake and the cliffs of Mt. Sparrowhawk

Smoke haze from the Assiniboine fire

Smoke

The outlet stream from the second memorial lake

Looking up towards the cirque that holds the third memorial lake

Ancient forest in the toad forest

Toad forest bolders

Ribbon peak in the setting sun

Ribbon Creek Parking Lot