Wenkchemna Pass

Here we go again, Bus Wankers 2.0.  This time I got a shuttle booking when the 'last minute' tickets were released 48 hrs in advance (and still had to stalk the page like a crazy person).  It's at 6:30 which means we have got up at 3:30am, this is why we look a little less than ecstatic.  Seriously it was rough.

The shuttle system is extremely efficient, pick up/drop off is at Ski Louise which means a beautiful lodge with bathrooms, seating and food.  Easy and guaranteed parking.  Ice cream or pizza later on.  Today we arrive at 6:15, pick up our pass at the hut and right on 6:30 the bus is pulling out with us on it.  

We arrive at Moraine Lake at 7am, it is quite a smoky day in the mountains, AQI is 140.  First stop is the rockpile as I thought it would be quiet.  It wasn't.  

We repeat the Sentinel trail climbing up to the trail junction, it's not busy up here at all.  As soon as we go left, the wildflowers appear.  Everywhere.  

This is the view up a gorgeous patch of mountain heather toward Eiffel Peak.  The sky is blue in this direction, the other way is considerably hazy.

Our first view of the Pass behind Eiffel Lake materializes, I can barely see the 10 Peaks to the left so there aren't any photos on the way up that look great.  

We pass through little patches of trees now and again.  An arboreal oasis if you will.

There are so many marmots on this trail, it is wonderful.  Well hi.  Hello.

The sky has cleared a little as we round the bowl at the far end of the moraine valley.  It's just the most gorgeous trail with views for days (unless it's smoky).

The trail to the pass is easy, I didn't need poles or spikes.  Obviously I brought both.  The wind is crazy on the last 200m, it is a lot of effort getting up that part.  

Yoho is over the ridge behind us, that's cool.  There were 2 other people at the top braving the wind, this was most convenient for photos.  

Wenkchemna (Wîkchemnâ) is '10' in Stoney Nakoda, for the tenth peak.  Here's my vote to return all the peaks to their original names.  While we're at it, I much prefer "Lake of the Little Fishes' (Horâ Juthin Îmne) for Lake Louise.

The smoke cleared quite a bit for the trip back.  I love the view back down the valley toward Moraine Lake (not visible).  It's so interesting seeing things from 'the other end'.  Please imagine something profound involving perspective at this time.  

Pause for marmot.

The mountain heather is peak.

The clouds are also coming in with the wind, the forecast was possible rain from 1 onwards.  Oh, another marmot.

Eiffel Lake is quite different to the blue of Moraine.  It is mostly snow runoff.  There is possibly a path down to it but we are happy with the view from above.  I'm just relieved to see the mountains through the smoke at this point.  The Valley of the 10 Peaks is one of the most stunning views I've ever been lucky enough to witness.  

Finally, views open up to the bluest of blue lakes before we head back into the forest for the descent.  There are tiny canoes on it - $170 an hour in case you were curious.   This one time I kayaked on Moraine Lake in the olden days before private vehicles were outlawed.