An Unforgettable Day in Kananaskis Country: Grizzly Family of 4, Emerald Ponds, Rockies and a Beautiful Sunset

By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor  Simergphotos, Barakah, and Simerg

Yes, starting at the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1) and Alberta Hwy 40 junction (Kananaskis Trail), and driving south to Rock Glacier Trail, a distance of say about 50 kms, I experienced in a matter of a few hours much much more than what I would have wished for over several days. The Mount Lorette ponds had been generously replenished by Alberta Parks with fresh supply of trout. You can catch and take home a maximum of 2. A child aged three — yes 3 — caught two of them in front of my eyes. His dad assisted him in releasing the trout back into the pond. An enthusiastic teenager, Jason, around the bend on the other side of the pond, invited me to have a go with his fishing rod. I gladly accepted his generous invitation, and promised myself to buy a fishing rod. I had last gone fishing with colleagues at work in a lake near Ottawa some 30 years ago!

Article continues below

Ponds and Memorials

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun was shining and the Lorette ponds glittered in beautiful colours. The clear emerald waters made it easy to spot fish. My next stop was the Wedge Pond, and I took the 1km trail, somewhat concerned as I was by myself, but I was carrying a bear spray. I passed young children swimming in the pond with their families, and saw a couple of youth in a small raft in the middle of the pond, with beautiful views of the Rockies all around them. Memorial benches at both the ponds touched and inspired me with the messages that had been posted for loved ones who had passed away.

I continued my drive on Hwy 40, going south. Whenever you see a car parked on the side of the road with lights flashing…. then you know there is action. The car that drew me to stop stayed for a few moments before taking off. There was a grizzly, but the view was not very clear. I patiently decided to stay around. I realized in a few minutes there was a family of 4. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I had one of the best wild life experiences in my life. I had earlier seen some mountain goats and deer. With grizzlies metres from me, I remained in my car. There was plenty for them to eat along the sides of the highway, and they crossed the road twice. What an experience! Then I drove off to capture some beautiful view of the jagged rockies, with the sunlight creating sensational colours.

Article continues below

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once I reached Rock Glacier Trail, I got out of the car hoping to photograph close ups of the pikas. I heard the cries of many but only saw 1. The grizzlies that I had left behind a few minutes earlier were not far away. I decided to return to Calgary, as it was approaching 9 PM. What a view in front of me as the setting sun cast a beautiful glow on the sky and clouds above me. The photographs tell the story! Someone very special is visiting me in a few days, and I just hope that together we live through a similar experience like I did a few days ago. That someone special is my daughter.

The Grizzlies

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

_____________________________

The Jagged Rockies and a Beautiful Sunset

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Date posted: August 14, 2022.

_______________________

Before departing this website, please review our Home Page for links to our fantastic photo essays. We welcome feedback/letters from our readers. Please use the LEAVE A REPLY box which appears below. Please share this article link with your friends and family members. Please also visit this blog’s sister websites Simerg for Insights from Around the World and Barakah for pieces on His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. To reach the editor, please write to Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com.