Canada

28 July - 8 August 2007

"Wild flowers and diverse high alpine plants carpet the meadows. Dozens of clear blue lakes fill in hollows created by the scouring of ancient glaciers. Above it all, stands the noble peaks of the Esplanade range.  The Esplanade range in the northern part of the Selkirk Mountains is famous for its long, continuous ridge hikes with a network of over 100 kilometers of summer trails. Elevations vary between 2000 to 2600 meters above sea level." -- www.goldenalpineholidays.com

That description - not to mention seeing a public television program called Great Adventure Lodges of North America last year - encouraged us to take a hike, literally, in beautiful British Columbia.  We flew into Calgary, Alberta (Heart of the New West), and after an overnight stay at the Delta Calgary Hotel (right at the airport), drove west to Golden, British Columbia.  There we met up with our hiking group, had an e-ticket helicopter ride to the Sentry Mountain Lodge, and the hiking adventure began.  Following the hiking trip we flew to Vancouver, spent a few days on Salt Spring Island, and eventually came home.  :-)


Getting to the Sentry Mountain Lodge Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 Click Photos for a Larger View



Entrance to Banff National Park.  The
park was extremely busy and due to
construction in the "town" of Banff
we were never able to park and walk
around.
The Chateau Lake Louise...once
we found parking...
The Chateau... if you have to ask,
you can't afford to stay here!
Liza in front of the Chateau

Lake Louise
Robert at the pedestrian bridge
in Golden
...and Liza on the bridge
Another bridge shot - handcrafted
in wood by master builders from
around the world...

Needless to say we thought it was
beautiful!
Robert at our B&B in Golden
The helicopter staging site about 30
miles out of Golden
Robert surveying the staging area

Liza at the staging area
And here's our helicopter!
He looks like he does this all the
time, doesn't he?!
View from the helicopter

On the (tiny) helipad at the Sentry
Mountain Lodge, the furthest in of Golden
Alpine Holidays' four lodges - about a 10
minute heli ride
Robert staying put while the helicopter
is being unloaded
There goes the helicopter!  See you
in five days!
The Sentry Mountain Lodge

View from our upstairs room at
the lodge
Looking in from the porch...
Our wonderful cook Lynne
(check out that menu)
Another lodge view

Looking down on the common area
Robert on the porch
Shaundra (all-purpose staff and boss'
daughter) and guide Deanna
Robert relaxing in the lodge


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