In June when we were here, we could barely see the trail at higher elevation, as knee deep snow still covered parts of it, as well as the trail head sign. So, this was going to be new territory for us. After our picnic and sheep watching stops, we hiked this trail to take in the valley and glacier views.
trailhead – at end of Wilcox Pass Trail
distance – 2.8 km (1 3/4 miles) return
elevation gain – 177 m (580 feet)
elevation at top of ridge 2,423 m (7,950 feet)
The Trailhead sign.My camera GPS did not synch with the elevation listed here.
The views behind us
Caution, photographer at work
Otherworldly – the shot with a foot in is shows sheep tracks as well as hiker tracks
the hills are alivecolourful vegetationflower seed puffs glowing under bright sun as we continue to climbVegetation covers the hillsides
Are we there yet? Its just over the next hill. First shot shows a rock wall constructed by hikers, over the years
The view from the top. 2nd photo shows an SUV on the glacier. Middle shot shows the Icefields Centre below (a long way below).
After a lot of pix and oohs and aahs, we retraced our steps.
heart shaped vegetationone more old folks selfie, with a view
Another closer look at the Bighorn sheep.
And back to the start.
Yahoo. We made it. Only another 3.4 km, downhill to go.
After working for 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 3+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wanted me to do has been rewarding.
While I still miss the social aspect of working with a team of great people, I have managed to keep in touch with many from my former team and I have many friends and family members who now fulfill this part of my life. Now that my Patty has retired, we are able to spend more time in pursuits and with people who are near and dear to us.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may not become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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18 thoughts on “Autumn 2020 – Part 41 – Wilcox Ridge Trail – Jasper National Park”
Great photos as always Allan! It looks like you were very close to the big horn sheep.
We came a bit closer on the trail, but they were still across a shallow valley. My 1200mm (50x) zoom helped make them look close. Love that lens. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
Eve more when you realize it is on a Cybershot, instead of an SLR. A great camera overall, except for lens flares when shooting into the sun. Stay well. Allan
These are such beautiful photos, Allan, and so is the barren landscape scattered with the Bighorn sheep; their horns are huge! Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Nice and warm in Sligo today, but that is going to change tommorrow as heavy rain arrives. Take care. Aiva 🙂
The Bighorn love the upper alpine meadows. Like tame sheep, they like to eat the growth close to the ground, so the pretty vegetation we saw is part of their diet. Glad you are getting good weather today, Aiva. Our warm days are gone and it was -13 this AM with fog and hoar frost, so you just know there will be some pretty winter posts coming. Stay well and thanks for reading. Allan
I know, the photographer’s work is difficult! Seeing the images of the plateau between the two mountain walls, it is easy to imagine the work of the glacier shaping the relief.
This is a great place to see the results of Nature’s work. It is just a pity that Climate Change is now reducing the remaining glaciers. Thanks for reading. Allan
The views were well worth the effort, but you are right, hunger occurred. The trouble is we had an 80 minute drive back to Jasper, but we were in no hurry. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
Great photos as always Allan! It looks like you were very close to the big horn sheep.
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We came a bit closer on the trail, but they were still across a shallow valley. My 1200mm (50x) zoom helped make them look close. Love that lens. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Got it. That is a very impressive lens.
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Eve more when you realize it is on a Cybershot, instead of an SLR. A great camera overall, except for lens flares when shooting into the sun. Stay well. Allan
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The colour really does remind one of heather as you said in a other post. I am amazed at the vegetation you saw!
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The colours and variety blew me away. I expected dead brown grasses. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks for reading Bernie. Allan
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These are such beautiful photos, Allan, and so is the barren landscape scattered with the Bighorn sheep; their horns are huge! Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Nice and warm in Sligo today, but that is going to change tommorrow as heavy rain arrives. Take care. Aiva 🙂
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The Bighorn love the upper alpine meadows. Like tame sheep, they like to eat the growth close to the ground, so the pretty vegetation we saw is part of their diet. Glad you are getting good weather today, Aiva. Our warm days are gone and it was -13 this AM with fog and hoar frost, so you just know there will be some pretty winter posts coming. Stay well and thanks for reading. Allan
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I know, the photographer’s work is difficult! Seeing the images of the plateau between the two mountain walls, it is easy to imagine the work of the glacier shaping the relief.
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This is a great place to see the results of Nature’s work. It is just a pity that Climate Change is now reducing the remaining glaciers. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Wow! Great photos. You certainly earned your dinner that day!
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The views were well worth the effort, but you are right, hunger occurred. The trouble is we had an 80 minute drive back to Jasper, but we were in no hurry. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
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Wow, you were high up! And those views were magnificent…I especially liked the sheep seen in their natural habitat.
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It was nice to be up where the views are, just like the Bighorn sheep. It was a spectacular day. Thanks for reading Ann. Allan
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Great photos!
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Thanks T. One of our favourite places on the planet. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Patty & her hearts. My heart was stirred by those sweet colors growing from the rocks. Life finds a way!
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She did say that I took the photo from the wrong angle, but I kind of like how it turned out. Thanks for reading. Allan
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