For many years my family has been going to Western Alberta, Canada to vacation in the Summer time. Florida tends to get very hot and humid during the Summer, so the mountains and cool air of the Canadian Rockies offer a nice escape. Getting to see expansive views from mountaintops is very exciting after spending most of the year in Florida's flat swamps and marshes.
My home base while in Alberta is Canmore, where there are tons of hiking and nature trails around town. There's 4 different mountain trails, trails leading around town, and along the bow river. The best part about Canmore is the views. The views around Canmore are just incredible.
One of my favorite views in Canmore happens to be less than a 10 minute walk. It doesn't matter if it is sunrise or sunset, if I have the time to walk over then I make the trip to what some locals call "the money shot."
The Three Sisters can be seen from all over Canmore and create a nice backdrop for photos from just about anywhere.
Sunshine Meadows
The most expansive views I have yet to see can be found at Sunshine Meadows just outside Banff National Park. This lesser known spot is known as one of the top day hikes out there, with mountains in all directions. It is a 3 1/2 hour hike up, and another 3 1/2 hours down, or travelers can take 2 gondolas up to the top to explore Sunshine Meadows expansive and panoramic views. I think Sunshine Meadows may be one of the most underrated locations when it comes to photo opportunities and excellent hiking.
Peyto Lake
Some of the most highly photographed places in the world are located in Canada's Banff National Park. Canada's third most popular photograph location is Peyto Lake.
Canada's 2nd most popular location for photos is almost a tie. Only accessible by road for up to 5 months out of the year, Moraine Lake is arguably the most photographed lake in Banff... especially at sunrise. I've spent days at Moraine Lake and watching the sunrise and first two hours of the day is second to none. Make sure you bring some warm socks and a jacket though, condensation can come up off of the ground and make a cool morning become chilly and cold.
Coming in at the number 1 spot for most photographed location in Banff National Park is Lake Louise. Known for it's perfect turquoise water, rugged peaks, and Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise offers dream compositions year round.
Before starting my hike out to Plain of the Six Glaciers, I enjoyed a morning breakfast at the Fairmont. The weather was cool, it was a little windy, and the clouds in the sky looked like it was going to rain at some point throughout my 14km+ hike.
I usually hike up to Lake Agnes and stop by the tea house there for a quick break and some warm tea. There can be a waiting line to get seated at the tea house, so I usually spend that time taking some extra photographs of Lake Agnes and some of the nearby views.
Plain of the Six Glaciers trail is about 14 km (8.7 miles) round trip, taking 4 – 6 hours, depending on pace and stops. It pairs well with the nearby Lake Agnes Tea House hike for a full-day loop.
The trail starts from the Lake Louise Lakeshore, one of the most photographed lakes in the world. You walk along the lake’s edge, away from the crowds, toward the back of the valley. Once the shoreline ends, you start climbing into the glacier-carved valley surrounded by towering peaks.
The reward: panoramic views of Victoria Glacier, Lefroy Glacier, and other glaciers that give the trail its name. There’s a charming tea house near the end, the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House where you can grab tea, snacks, and fresh baked goods. I usual
Bring layers because the weather can shift from sunny to chilly fast... I've also experienced unexpected rainstorms on the hike, so have a rain jacket ready!
When I got back from hiking in Canada, I decided to start researching which hiking trails were in my area of Southwest Florida. I found the Alltrails app which was a huge help researching trails and reading reviews from people. Understanding the difficulty and trail conditions really helps in Florida when water levels change drastically throughout the year. It was very different hiking in a flat environment without the expansive views I was used to seeing while hiking in Canada.
Local Trails
I started spending most of my time hiking CREW Land & Water Trusts three existing trails. (Bird Rookery Swamp, Marsh Trails, Cypress Dome Trails) After seeing many volunteers while out on the trails, people started telling me I should become a volunteer... which I happily obliged. While volunteering I learned all about our local species of animals, plants, and insects which further fed my passion for the outdoors, wildlife and nature. I spent so much time in my life learning about imaginary animals and media that I missed developing a true appreciation for real wildlife and nature.
Designing & Building Trails
After hiking in a half-dozen states and exploring countless trails, I grew curious about what makes a trail enjoyable, and how they're designed. I became fascinated with the angles at trail intersections, the logic behind signage placement, and the overall trail experience.
Flint Pen Strand - Red Trail
That curiosity led to a hands-on opportunity when CREW Land & Water Trust began building a new trail in Bonita Springs, Florida: the Flint Pen Strand Red Trail, a 1.5-mile path. I helped carry and install large, waterlogged 8-foot wooden posts with some weighing 40–50 pounds. Once in place, each post was dug 2 feet into the ground, standing about 6 feet tall. We positioned the markers so hikers could always see the next one from their current location, helping create an intuitive and enjoyable hiking experience.
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