Eugenia Falls

[1-click to enlarge both photos]







The falls, at 30 meters high, are located in the Eugenia Falls Conservation Area of 23 hectares along the Niagara Escarpment. They were discovered in 1852 as a result of a ‘Fools Gold’ rush.

The name for the falls had been suggested by ex-soldiers of the French Army (Crimean War) after Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

For more information about the falls and the gorge go here.


[2]

















Source: Grey Sauble Conservation Authority

Photo Credits: [1][2]-Calypso Orchid CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Bench of the Week (12)

This bench is located at Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia. (Click to enlarge)

RuneE of Visual Norway began the impromptu meme of benches on Fridays.

Riverdaze has an splendid location for a bench.

PERBS has a bench in exquisite detail.

Dina has an interesting bench at a back gate.

Kerri has a bench waiting for a buffet.

Ackworth Born, Gone West has a memorial bench.

Photo Credit: jaxxon CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Hiking Trails - Sawback Trail - Day 8

[97-Rocky Mountain Sheep have lost most of their natural fear of humans]

The Sawback Trail follows the rugged Sawback Range from the town of Banff to Lake Louise over a distance of 74km (about 45 miles). The trail is rated moderate to challenging.

On Day 8 the hike leaves the Baker Creek Junction (1830m) Wildflower Campground (Ba15) at about the 53.5 km mark to Baker Lake Campground (Sk11) covering a distance of about 6.4km to the 59.9 km mark.

Upon leaving the Wildflower Campground the hiker may not find a bridge over the Wildflower Creek and will have to wade through.


[98-Anthozoan Mountain, 2695m (8842 ft) was named in 1925 for the fossilized coral found in the Devonian limestone of the mountain - click to enlarge]

Due to the possibility of trail deterioration after leaving Wildflower Creek campground it is advisable to stick to the marshy meadows below the east ridges of Anthoazoan Mountain.

The trail then climbs through forest across avalanche paths along a rough trail on the east side of the creek.


[99-Chipmunk]

Approximately 2km later the trail enters boggy meadows where the hiker should be prepared for mosquitoes. At the north end of the meadow the trail crosses a side-stream and rocky area, followed by a short steep climb on a rough and muddy trail. Above is an alpine meadow with the trail crossing to the eastern side of the creek.


[100-Baker Lake - click to enlarge]

At 58.9km mark turn left at the Junction to Deer Lakes for the trail to Baker Lake.


[101- Fossil Mountain, 2946m (9666 ft) was named in 1906, for the numerous fossils found in its slopes - click to enlarge.]


At 59.9km the Baker Lake Campground (Sk11) is in a treed area, but Baker Lake itself lies in marshy meadows. This campground has a notorious reputation for camp robbing wolverines.


[102-Baker Lake from campsite - click to enlarge]

There are trout in Baker Lake and the fisherman will have to compete with local Osprey.

TO BE CONTINUED

ParksCanada – Banff
Backcountry Overview
Trail Conditions
Backpacking Equipment Checklist
http://waputik.tripod.com/gdt_sawback.htmGem Trek maps for Lake Louise and Skoki
Gem Trek maps for Banff and Mount Assiniboine
HI Hostels Intl Survival Guide

Photo Credits: [97]-timmredpath CC=nc-nd-flickr, [98][101]-Kris Griffon CC=nc-sa-flickr, [99]-Chris & Lara Pawluk CC=nc-flickr, [100][102]-orlandk CC=flickr.

Montmorency Falls

[1-Footbridge over Montmorency Falls - click to enlarge]



The falls, at 84 meters (275 ft) high, are the highest in the province of Quebec and 30 m (98 ft) higher than Niagara Falls. The Montmorency River flows into the St. Lawrence River near Île d’Orleans, northeast of Quebec City. The falls were named by Samuel de Champlain in 1613 in honour of Henri II, duc de Montmorency, who served as viceroy of New France from 1620 until 1625.


[2-Montmorency Falls - click to enlarge]



Earlier historical posts I prepared on Samuel de Champlain:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmorency_Falls

Photo Credits: [1]-lucathegalga CC=nc-nd-flickr, [2]-denseatoms CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Bench of the Week (11)

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The Pitt-Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area contains 2972 hectares (7344 acres) which is managed by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Access to the Addington side of the marsh can be accessed via northeast Coquitlam. For information about the marsh see Ducks Unlimited.

RuneE of Visual Norway began this informal meme on Bench of the Week for Fridays. He has a unique bench up with a decorative design.

Ackworth Born has a bench with geese and ducks.

PERBS has a bench up at the Love of Benches.

Photo Credit: Zero-X CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Hiking Trails - Sawback Trail - Day 7

[68-Great-Horned Owl. This bird lives in a varied habitat of woodlands, desert and urban areas. With a voracious appetite it hunts squirrels, rabbits, snakes, skunks and geese. Click to enlarge.]

The Sawback Trail follows the rugged Sawback Range from the town of Banff to Lake Louise over a distance of 74km (about 45 miles). The trail is rated moderate to challenging.

On Day 7 the hike will be passing over Pulsatilla Pass (2545m) to the Wildflower Campground (Ba15) covering an approximate distance of 10 km after leaving the Badger Pass Junction Campground (Jo29) at the 43.5 km mark.



[69- Up to Pulsatilla Pass - click to enlarge]




[70-Going to Pulsatilla Pass]




[71-Sign direction - click to enlarge]


There are open meadows and larch stands enroute to Pulsatilla Pass.



[72-Wildflowers - click to enlarge]





[73-Hiking up to Pulsatilla Pass - click to enlarge]




[74 - Looking back and south. Click to enlarge.]

On the ascent to Pulsatilla Pass, stay left beneath the glacier draped cliffs of Pulsatilla Mountain and follow the trail that climbs to the obvious low notch.


[75-Pass - click to enlarge]




[76 - click to enlarge]




[77 - Almost to the top]




[78 - click to enlarge]


Pulsatilla Pass with an altitude of 2345m is a large open area with many vistas. A large alpine lake sits above treeline at the north end.


[79 - View of Pulsatilla Pass - click to enlarge]




[80 - Pulsatilla Pass looking south- click to enlarge]



[81-View from Pulsatilla Pass]




[82]




[83 - Looking north to Pulsatilla Lake. Click to enlarge]



[84-North to Pulsatilla Lake]




[85]





[86 - Forget-me-nots - click to enlarge]




[87 - click to enlarge]




[88 - Pulsatilla Lake]




[89 - Pulsatilla Lake - click to enlarge]




[90 - Hoary Marmot -click to enlarge]



[91 - down Pulsatilla Pass]


The trail is very rough and steep here, dropping down the narrow Wildflower Creek valley to Baker Creek and the Wildflower Creek campground (Ba15). This is where the hiker's compass, map and route finding skills will come in handy.



[92 - Rocky Mountain Goat wih kid - click to enlarge]



[93- Downy Woodpecker. These are the smallest of the woodpeckers in North America. The males have a red patch on the back of the head. - click to enlarge]




[94 - Yellow-rumped Warbler can be found in the summer across the north and western portions of North America, and in the fall it migrates south to Central America. It eats insects, spiders and berries. This bird prefers a habitat of coniferous and mixed woodland, parks and gardens. - click to enlarge]




[95]




[96 - near Wildflower campground]

TO BE CONTINUED

Sources:
ParksCanada – Banff
Backcountry Overview
Trail Conditions
Backpacking Equipment Checklist
http://waputik.tripod.com/gdt_sawback.htmGem Trek maps for Lake Louise and Skoki
Gem Trek maps for Banff and Mount Assiniboine
HI Hostels Intl Survival Guide
A Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Michael Vanner (2006)

Photo Credits: [66][93]-Chris and Lara Pawluk CC=nc-flickr, [69][73][74][85][86][87]-meganpru CC=nc-flickr, [70][72][76][78][79][80][81][82][84][88][91][95][96]-lafalott CC=nc-sa-flickr, [71][75][77][83][89][90]-Kris Griffon CC=nc-sa-flickr, [92]-Silvain de Munck CC=nd-flickr, [94]-ru_24-real CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Two Sentence Tuesday: 30 June 2009

Yesterday I read an article from Writer’s Digest magazine on how to hook readers with a strong beginning.

I have been working diligently on my draft WIPs of dark fantasy the last couple of days and wrote these sentences (the location is in mountainous terrain):

“Just as he was pondering his decision of an alternative path, a small herd of wild goats: a type of ibex, came face to face with him. The ram, of advanced age, carried a pair of curled, back pointing horns. He smiled as the flock of brown and black goats took to the high ground, bounding up the second path that led into the crags above, toward the linking pass. Then his decision decided for him, he turned to follow.


"Without warning the animals stopped, hesitated momentarily before wheeling where they stood and stampeded in his direction. "



For other participants, please visit Women of Mystery.