Bear Spirit

February 13, 2016

This waterfall took me a while to get my bearings as to where it might be located.  I've read summer hikes of this trail, however I never heard anyone speak of a waterfall.  I proceeded skeptical, in search of what ice climbers call Bear Spirit.

Selenium Falls

February 13, 2016

The waterfalls of a few names, Selenium Falls also goes by Spray Falls or Spray River Falls.  I chose to stick with Selenium Falls as the Spray River is contained to the basin of the valley and doesn't start with this waterfall.  The trail is more commonly known as a "summer trail" to many people.  I'm not sure why, as this is an ice climb in the winter and though it isn't plowed, I've walked on much more difficult "winter trails".

Weeping Wall & Mixed Master

February 14, 2016

On my trip up from Banff to Jasper, I pulled over at the Weeping Wall to let Loki have some water and stretch his little puppy legs.  This isn't the first time I've stopped at this wall and it won't be the last.  Though this time I had a second look, noticing there was an additional ice sheet form.

The Urs Hole

February 13, 2016

For a short hike a lot happened to me on this one.  Down the road from Cascade Falls, you will continue until the road ends (where in the summer you would have access to Lake Minewanka).  I pulled in closer to the gate and settled off the road.  In reading the signs I came to notice that the road is closed as it's an animal corridor in the winter.  This means it allows access for animals to roam and claim as their home during the off season.

Rogan's Gully & Cascade Falls

February 13, 2016

Until I recently started investigating more ice climbs in the National Parks, did I realize that one winter many years ago I tagged a frozen waterfall.  I revisited this image before setting off this time around and confirmed that this was in fact Rogan's Gully.  I needed to ensure I was correct in my assumption so I set off for Cascade Mountain again, and sure enough found Rogan's Gully far off to the left hand side of Cascade Falls.

 Unlike on my trip 3 years ago, this time I was witnessing people pitch their climb up Rogan's Gully.  This further solved the mystery for me as I was aware this mountain is common to ice climbers.

Rogan's Gully

Silverhorn Falls

August 28, 2015

A roadside waterfall that is kind of hard to spot.  Thanks to the paving that was occurring on the highway I was able to look up and notice this unsuspecting waterfall dropping down the side of Silverhorn Mountain.  The good news is the construction in ongoing and created a new pull over parking spot.  My GPS may be off here as I was not expecting to capture much less witness a waterfall at this juncture.  For those looking to explore this area, it`s the first pull over, north of Peyto Lake.

Mistaya Canyon Falls

August 28, 2015

The last time, and only other time, that I've attempted this trail was during a harsh winter.  As a result my only other impression of this area was covered in a blanket of snow.  This caused me to write this off, believing that the waterfall was covered under the white stuff and not visible until summer.

Norman Creek Falls

August 27, 2015

This is a hike I've always wanted to try out.  With a naming convention of Sunset Pass, it made me want to sit the peak as the sun was setting.  I had my chance this time as I would be nearing the end of the day.  Other naming conventions of this trail could be called; Norman Creek or Pinto Lake Trail.

Wilson Falls

August 27, 2015

I've passed this waterfall so many times I can't count.  Each time I went past at highway speeds thinking that I might have been crazy for thinking there was a waterfall on Mount Wilson.  This time I would pull alongside the gravel on the highway and prove my assumptions correct.  An impressive waterfall being permanently pushed aside by the wind as it drops an incredible distance.  Wilson Falls may be hard to see, but is a strong plunge falls in Banff's North.

Big Bend Falls

August 13, 2015

This roadside waterfall is found on the hairpin that is "The Big Bend" at the northern most tip of Banff National Park.  The last time I came to photograph this was in the winter when it was covered in snow and hard to distinct between the volleys of snow that year.

This time it being summer I was able to pick up on the waterfall with no problem.  Thunderous even in the late summer season, this is a powerful drop of a waterfall.  Big Bend Falls (named after the road counterpart) is only drowned out by the numerous amount of traffic in the area.

Lady Agnes Falls

February 14, 2015

Named after the late Lady Agnes McDonald, Lake Agnes offers some great views from atop looking down on Chateau Lake Louise.  This trail was a great day hike, at 3.7Km to reach Lake Agnes and the Tea House.  So far I think this might have to be my favorite trail in Banff National Park.

Bourgeau Falls

February 14, 2015

Once you've loudly swallowed all your fear after seeing the sign above, you can move on to Bourgeau Falls.  This frozen waterfall is found on Mount Bourgeau with access from the Sunshine Village, ski resort.  The best place to park is in the far back near the maintenance lot of the Sunshine Village.  However I know this can be hard as you are sometimes forced to park on the road a long way out from the resort.

Sunshine Village

Bridal Veil Falls

May 18, 2014

This waterfall is slightly deceiving.  The name Bridal Veil does not offer you a Veil style waterfall; instead you have a really long cascade.  Either way, this waterfall is extremely long, stretching almost the entire height of the Columbia Icefield mountains.  Not to mention this is a great area to pull over as the Big Bend highway portion is a memorable road at the very least.

Cascade Falls

May 18, 2014

On my way into Banff I couldn't help but pull over to capture the summer snap shot of Cascade Falls.  This long weekend would be the start of warmer weather in the province; and as a result it would offer a long thin waterfall.  Sadly though the weather was temperamental at best, which would result in on an off rain/snow storms.  The cloud at the top of Cascade Mountain is carrying a rain storm, which would hurry my shots and send me packing.

Louise Falls

May 18, 2014

On a stormy day in the Rockies on May long weekend; I would be doing the Lake Louise Loop trail.  The goal at the other end of the lake is a tall daunting waterfall pouring into Lake Louise.  

Cascade Falls

Jan 19, 2014

With new book in hand "Ice Lines: Select Waterfalls of the Canadian Rockies" by +Brent Peters I discovered the whereabouts of this waterfall.  Having passed it on the highway a few times unknowingly, I now know to return in the Summer to witness what changes in this area.

Crowfoot Glacier Falls

Jan 18, 2014

After being nose deep in maps over the past couple weeks, I discovered the existence of this glacier waterfall.  Crowfoot Glacier is on the south side of Bow Lake in Banff National Park and can be seen from the pull out on the road.  Well marked with signs the sight seeing location is even plowed during the winter months.  However what's not marked is the trail going to this glacier.

Some maps mention it exists, however I haven't seen a guidebook that acknowledges the presence of this trail.  As a result I decided to scout the area an photograph from afar.  From what I could see in the winter, the trail is mostly gone.  Although I did see some cars parked further south, I never explored the trail that they were using.

With little knowledge to go on in terms of trail length and little proof of its existence, I decided to return in the summer months in order to get a better scope of the area.

Bow Glacier

Jan 18, 2014

At this point it's been almost a full year since my last attempt at completing the trail to Bow Glacier.  This time I brought snowshoes to complete this hike.  However due to the heated weather (+4C) I almost didn't need them.  Unlike some of my other adventures I would have less worries about the wildlife encounters and more to do about the weather.

Big Bend

April 28, 2013

This waterfall is captured best during the winter thaw month, however, although early, I did manage to spot it in its frozen state.  During the true Winter you would sometimes be luck to spot this waterfall, as the snow in the area collects on top of it.  This late April had a snap Winter return, in which case I managed to capture the waterfall uncovered.

Bridal Veil & Panther Falls

April 28, 2013

Resting snug at the top of Banff, near the border to Jasper, these two waterfalls are found at the top elevation above the "Big  Bend".  Just outside the Columbia Icefields, this area can see snow for a good portion of the year.  Where on this day the remainder of the park seemed set for Spring, this portion of the park was still embracing the winter.