Mt. Allan Centennial Trail

[mbrager]

I've wanted to hike this trail for a year. Located between Kananaskis and Canmore, it's the highest maintained hiking trail in Canada, and has an elevation gain of 1360 meters (about 4400 ft). Varying terrain, and a total of about 16 km. but we had a gorgeous day. We were at the trailhead, an hour and a half drive out of Calgary, by 7:30 a.m. Took us 5 hours up, and about 3 1/2 down.

Plaque for the Builders, about 1/2 way up the trail.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6067658953_f98f48a846_b.jpg

The Ultimate Destination, on the Right
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6067645693_45eae315f9_b.jpg

[mbrager]

Alpine Garden
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6067643617_a72b52be3b_b.jpg

My friend said this is a Rock Ptarmigan. Very hard to see.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6067646369_470f775e74_b.jpg

Mushroom Garden (so called because the rocks appear to mushroom out of nowhere)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6067657943_40b6e62a2b_b.jpg

In Your Face Mountains
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6068200818_fc5361ec15_b.jpg

[mbrager]

Proof We Were There
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6068195026_5e9662aaef_b.jpg

View Towards Canmore (way down the valley)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6068193704_5156fa3983_b.jpg

Mountain Lake
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6068196010_da6b7f4eee_b.jpg

[mbrager]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6068197412_bee3bd347d_b.jpg

My Personal Favorite
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6068199190_3b78450c5f_b.jpg

Black and White and Gray
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6068192352_0d3107aca9_b.jpg

The Way Down
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6067660637_e132133a46_b.jpg

[JAS_Photo]

Great set, Mike! Good catch on the little ptarmigan! Congrats on conquering the trail!

[mbrager]

Thanks Jackie. Yes, conquering is the right word, but it's more about conquering my own fears.

[Iguanasan]

What an awesome looking place and some wonderful images. I almost didn't see that bird he was camouflaged so well. And on that "Proof we were there" shot, how can that rock look like a grey barrel? It looks amazingly smooth and circular.

[Greg_R]

Very cool set! Loved the B&W shots.

[Marko]

I also really dig this set and the BW in the set.
My faves are
Mushroom Garden (so called because the rocks appear to mushroom out of nowhere)
In Your Face Mountains
My Personal Favorite
Black and White and Gray

[asnow]

Awesome set. Love them all. I particulary like the mushroom garden.

[mbrager]

Thanks for taking a look at these photos. Ig, the gray barrel has a brass survey plate attached. I guess because the shale rock is so crumbly, the surveyors brought a solid piece and implanted it at the summit. These plates are common at mountain peaks and are apparently visible from the air, but are also etched with unique identifiers for that location. Had I been thinking, and less affected by the euphoria and the thin mountain air, I might have actually taken an in focus shot of the brass plate itself. Here's a closer shot:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6071506081_c789d061a3_z.jpg

[casil403]

Looks like a great adventure Mike....kind of like doing the hike without doing the hike. Mt Allan is also known as Nakiska Ski resort, where they held the skiing events for the '88 Olympics. I know to an can appreciate that that was not an easy climb (huge elevation gain and a steep trail to the top on what was a very hot day!!!) so good for you for making it!
Thanks for sharing!

[Hillbillygirl]

Congratulations on conquering both obstacles in your life Mike, and I thank you for taking us on this wonderful journey with all these beautiful photos. Liked every one of them.

[Matt K.]

Very nice set, luv the B&W.

[Bambi]

what an excellent set! I am jealous but glad I got to see it all at the same time.

[mbrager]

Thanks again for looking at the photos and for sharing your reactions. Cheers.

[Mad Aussie]

Fantastic country ... nicely taken. Too many good ones to choose just one.

[mbrager]

Thanks MA. It was a great hike for sure.