Albums

Fall

Larch season, low sun and the last warm days before the snow arrives.

Most of these come from a three-week stretch at the end of a season, which is when the Rockies stop being a place you go and start being a place you look at.

64 photographs — click any one for the full-size original.

A twisted larch tree captures the sun along my way across the meadows.
A twisted larch tree captures the sun along my way across the meadows.
Holy Moly Stromboly! Egypt, Scarab and Mummy Lake with Healy Pass at left, Monarch, Sphinx, Natalko and Haiduk Peak (R) rising above.
Holy Moly Stromboly! Egypt, Scarab and Mummy Lake with Healy Pass at left, Monarch, Sphinx, Natalko and Haiduk Peak (R) rising above.
Skoki Lakes magic.
Skoki Lakes magic.
Sunlight reflects golden larches and a blue gem in this view over Loomis Lake.
Sunlight reflects golden larches and a blue gem in this view over Loomis Lake.
Incredible relief down to Pharaoh Lake from the SE ridge as I descend back to the col.
Incredible relief down to Pharaoh Lake from the SE ridge as I descend back to the col.
The stream running down from Scarab Lake to Egypt Lakes provides some wonderful landscapes and tranquil scenes. This photo is from the top of the falls plunging down to Egypt Lake just visible at left. If you can't take the time to capture scenes like this on your long journeys than you have to wonder what it's all about in the first place no?
The stream running down from Scarab Lake to Egypt Lakes provides some wonderful landscapes and tranquil scenes. This photo is from the top of the falls plunging down to Egypt Lake just visible at left. If you can't take the time to capture scenes like this on your long journeys than you have to wonder what it's all about in the first place no?
Incredible larch views looking towards Quartz Hill.
Incredible larch views looking towards Quartz Hill.
Descending the Myosotis headwall as the sun rises over a frozen Skoki valley.
Descending the Myosotis headwall as the sun rises over a frozen Skoki valley.
A golden world near Healy Pass.
A golden world near Healy Pass.
Under the massive cliffs of Merlin Castle and Tower. The tower is what you see at the leading end of the castle here.
Under the massive cliffs of Merlin Castle and Tower. The tower is what you see at the leading end of the castle here.
Views back over Zigadenus Lake to the Wall of Jericho as we hike back up to Packers Pass.
Views back over Zigadenus Lake to the Wall of Jericho as we hike back up to Packers Pass.
One of my favorite photos from the whole trip is of Beehive Mountain in late day lighting with brilliant alpine meadows and a sharp east face in deep shadow.
One of my favorite photos from the whole trip is of Beehive Mountain in late day lighting with brilliant alpine meadows and a sharp east face in deep shadow.
Larches and false Mount Allenby above Mercer Creek.
Larches and false Mount Allenby above Mercer Creek.
Traversing from Mount Cautley to Ely’s Dome and Wonder Peak. Eon, Aye, Towers, Assiniboine, Lake Magog visible to the right.
Traversing from Mount Cautley to Ely’s Dome and Wonder Peak. Eon, Aye, Towers, Assiniboine, Lake Magog visible to the right.
Views over Terrapin and Gloria Lakes to Gloria, Eon, Aye, Assiniboine, Naiset, Towers, Magog, Wedgewood, Sunburst, Indian, Nestor and The Nub (R).
Views over Terrapin and Gloria Lakes to Gloria, Eon, Aye, Assiniboine, Naiset, Towers, Magog, Wedgewood, Sunburst, Indian, Nestor and The Nub (R).
Views down Skoki Creek include Skoki and Fossil Mountain (R).
Views down Skoki Creek include Skoki and Fossil Mountain (R).
The larches look much different when the sun isn’t shining through them.
The larches look much different when the sun isn’t shining through them.
Hiking through larches and old man beard with stunning views of Hawk Ridge.
Hiking through larches and old man beard with stunning views of Hawk Ridge.
Stunning larches over Verdant Creek to Hawk Ridge with Mount Shanks the highest point of the ridge at distant left isn't ascended much more often than Haiduk even though it's arguably more accessible.
Stunning larches over Verdant Creek to Hawk Ridge with Mount Shanks the highest point of the ridge at distant left isn't ascended much more often than Haiduk even though it's arguably more accessible.
From my high traverse around the SW ridge of Haiduk (I have to descend to the left here due to cliffs) the rest of my route to the col at mid center right. The north peak of Hawk Ridge at center left.
From my high traverse around the SW ridge of Haiduk (I have to descend to the left here due to cliffs) the rest of my route to the col at mid center right. The north peak of Hawk Ridge at center left.
More larch scenery from the interesting east ridge descent of Bishop Ridge, looking north to Mist Mountain.
More larch scenery from the interesting east ridge descent of Bishop Ridge, looking north to Mist Mountain.
More larch scenery from the interesting east ridge descent of Bishop Ridge, looking north to Mist Mountain.
More larch scenery from the interesting east ridge descent of Bishop Ridge, looking north to Mist Mountain.
The beauty of Aurora Lake with Mount Byng and Aurora in the bg.
The beauty of Aurora Lake with Mount Byng and Aurora in the bg.
Larch needles line the shores of Myosotis Lake.
Larch needles line the shores of Myosotis Lake.
Ptarmigan and Pika Peak loom over Myosotis Lake.
Ptarmigan and Pika Peak loom over Myosotis Lake.
Views back over Marvel Pass from Little Marvel Peak are stunning. Peaks include Brussilof, Alcantara and Eon (R). Note the many lakes and tarns among the larch forest below. Aurora Lake at left.
Views back over Marvel Pass from Little Marvel Peak are stunning. Peaks include Brussilof, Alcantara and Eon (R). Note the many lakes and tarns among the larch forest below. Aurora Lake at left.
Mount Assiniboine looms over Lake Gloria.
Mount Assiniboine looms over Lake Gloria.
Beautiful afternoon lighting over Talc Lake and the larch filled valley to the east.
Beautiful afternoon lighting over Talc Lake and the larch filled valley to the east.
The Monarch looms over Healy Meadows and Eohippus Lake. Mount Assiniboine at distant left rising over Simpson Ridge.
The Monarch looms over Healy Meadows and Eohippus Lake. Mount Assiniboine at distant left rising over Simpson Ridge.
Hiking back up to Healy Pass, looking past my favorite old larch tree towards a distant Natalko Peak with Scarab at center and Pharaoh at right.
Hiking back up to Healy Pass, looking past my favorite old larch tree towards a distant Natalko Peak with Scarab at center and Pharaoh at right.
More larchy goodness on the trail between Scarab and Mummy Lake. The Sphinx rises at upper left.
More larchy goodness on the trail between Scarab and Mummy Lake. The Sphinx rises at upper left.
Incredible views from the scree ledge traverse along the first cliff band back over Pharaoh Creek to the Massive Range. Pharaoh at left, The Sphinx at right.
Incredible views from the scree ledge traverse along the first cliff band back over Pharaoh Creek to the Massive Range. Pharaoh at left, The Sphinx at right.
Sublime views over Mummy Lake as I traverse the scree bench back to the moderate down climb which will then lead to the scree cone back to the treed buttress visible below.
Sublime views over Mummy Lake as I traverse the scree bench back to the moderate down climb which will then lead to the scree cone back to the treed buttress visible below.
I traversed back to the east to hook up with the trail from my shortcut down the drainage. Pharaoh Peak rises dramatically over Scarab Lake.
I traversed back to the east to hook up with the trail from my shortcut down the drainage. Pharaoh Peak rises dramatically over Scarab Lake.
Incredible colors around the Middlepass Lakes.
Incredible colors around the Middlepass Lakes.
This is a very colorful area! Three Lakes Ridge at left with Miles, Krowicki and Middle Kootenay at center and Rainy Ridge NW at right. We ascended the easy slope at lower left from the upper lake.
This is a very colorful area! Three Lakes Ridge at left with Miles, Krowicki and Middle Kootenay at center and Rainy Ridge NW at right. We ascended the easy slope at lower left from the upper lake.
The largest Rainy Lake is gorgeous.
The largest Rainy Lake is gorgeous.
It's been over a dozen years since I saw Ptarmigan Lake looking remotely like this, with Lychnis (R), Mount St. Bride (C) and Mount Douglas (L) reflecting in it.
It's been over a dozen years since I saw Ptarmigan Lake looking remotely like this, with Lychnis (R), Mount St. Bride (C) and Mount Douglas (L) reflecting in it.
Another, slightly tighter shot. Mount Hector rises at center with Andromache at right.
Another, slightly tighter shot. Mount Hector rises at center with Andromache at right.
Red Deer Lake
Red Deer Lake
Hiking back in a valley on fire with fall colors.
Hiking back in a valley on fire with fall colors.
This is why you do Odlum Ridge in late September. Mount Bishop (C) and Mount McPhail (L) with Horned Mountain between them.
This is why you do Odlum Ridge in late September. Mount Bishop (C) and Mount McPhail (L) with Horned Mountain between them.
Mount Odlum.
Mount Odlum.
Mist Mountain and Nameless Ridge.
Mist Mountain and Nameless Ridge.
An island of brightly colored larches amongst a sea of grey, foreboding peaks. This is looking over Marvel Peak (C) towards the Blue Range and Mount Currie (L).
An island of brightly colored larches amongst a sea of grey, foreboding peaks. This is looking over Marvel Peak (C) towards the Blue Range and Mount Currie (L).
Another view over Marvel Lake towards Marvel Peak, Turner, Morrison and Currie.
Another view over Marvel Lake towards Marvel Peak, Turner, Morrison and Currie.
Looking north towards Cautley and Gibraltar Rock at left, Beersheba and Allenby at center.
Looking north towards Cautley and Gibraltar Rock at left, Beersheba and Allenby at center.
Larch forest on descent.
Larch forest on descent.
Great views of Sunburst Peak and Sunburst Lake.
Great views of Sunburst Peak and Sunburst Lake.
Brilliant colors of Cerulean Lake.
Brilliant colors of Cerulean Lake.
The clouds are starting to lift as the trail winds it's way towards Og Lake.
The clouds are starting to lift as the trail winds it's way towards Og Lake.
I was sweating already, early in the day. It was also raining on me intermittently as you can see from the water drops on the lens.
I was sweating already, early in the day. It was also raining on me intermittently as you can see from the water drops on the lens.
Cascade Rock / Mount Cautley
Cascade Rock / Mount Cautley
A wonderful view over the Valley of the Rocks back towards the mighty Mount Assiniboine from near Og Lake.
A wonderful view over the Valley of the Rocks back towards the mighty Mount Assiniboine from near Og Lake.
Mount Assiniboine rises over a larch forest from near Citadel Pass.
Mount Assiniboine rises over a larch forest from near Citadel Pass.
Howard Douglas Lake.
Howard Douglas Lake.
Looking back over Howard Douglas Lake towards Fatigue (L), Citadel Peak (C) and Mount Assiniboine (R).
Looking back over Howard Douglas Lake towards Fatigue (L), Citadel Peak (C) and Mount Assiniboine (R).
Just me and the Healy Creek Trail. Kilometers and kilometers of it.
Just me and the Healy Creek Trail. Kilometers and kilometers of it.
The Monarch does NOT look friendly today! Note the brilliantly lit larch forest coming off Sugarloaf in the foreground.
The Monarch does NOT look friendly today! Note the brilliantly lit larch forest coming off Sugarloaf in the foreground.
The snow squall is literally just blowing away at left as I summit. Egypt, Mummy and Scarab Lakes along with a million larches contribute to my camera overheating. Peak include The Monarch (L), The Sphinx, Natalko, Scarab and Haiduk (R).
The snow squall is literally just blowing away at left as I summit. Egypt, Mummy and Scarab Lakes along with a million larches contribute to my camera overheating. Peak include The Monarch (L), The Sphinx, Natalko, Scarab and Haiduk (R).
A wild scene involving Mount Douglas and its larch covered lower northern slopes.
A wild scene involving Mount Douglas and its larch covered lower northern slopes.
Incredible larch scenery with the Massive Range including Pilot, Brett, Black Brett and Bourgeau in the background.
Incredible larch scenery with the Massive Range including Pilot, Brett, Black Brett and Bourgeau in the background.
A wide angle view over the Egypt Lakes towards The Sphinx, Natalko Peak and Scarab Peak rising to the right.
A wide angle view over the Egypt Lakes towards The Sphinx, Natalko Peak and Scarab Peak rising to the right.
More incredible views as I near the turn towards McArthur Pass again.
More incredible views as I near the turn towards McArthur Pass again.