Amazing Fall 2018 Trip to the Backcountry of West Central Alberta, Canada along the eastern Canadian Rockies
Last fall I had been given a tip by a local to go check out this area that is on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies. I spent only a few days there but realized no one was here except for the locals. Based on that knowledge I did some research over the summer and decided to go back by myself this fall for 9 days. Of those 9 days it snowed for 7 of them.
This area is so rich in wildlife since no hunting is allowed and I wasn’t disappointed by what I experienced. I saw 4 different Grizzlies, Beavers, many different herds of Elk and Bighorn Sheep. What I didn’t see were Moose, Wolves and Bigfoot. :(
First of all, I love being in the backcountry on my own and exploring. That experience is so amazing as you see and hear things you normally wouldn’t experience with others. It’s hard to explain unless you have experience this yourself. When I go out on my hikes I have a Satellite Phone, NOAA Emergency Beacon with me and Bear Spray. Plus, I have other survival gear with me just in case. I never want to disturb the wildlife but be able to observe and capture their natural habits in their environment for as long as possible. 95% of the photographs were taken with my Nikon D5 Body and 600mm f/4 E FL ED Lens. With a long lens like this one I really don’t have to be close to get these photos.
Just below are some photo highlights (the photos of me are taken with a timer sitting on a small tripod) with a brief description. To see my Wildlife Photos please scroll down to “ALBERTA, CA TRIP GALLERY OF PHOTOGRAPHS” further down the page.
Hopefully you will get some sense of my experience through these photographs!!!
Tom
Trip Photo Highlights
Second day of hiking in the Backcountry of AB, Canada on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. This picture is looking west with Mt Gregg peak on the left side of the picture.
My last day in the Backcountry of AB, Canada where it snowed heavily. It snowed every day but two days and never got above 28 Degs F. One morning when I set out it was 2 Degs F. Loved all the snow.
After hiking west for 3.5 miles in the Whitehorse Wildland area I stopped to take this picture in the river bed.
Here is what the mountains looked like at a higher perspective within the river bed.
Here is where it all starts!!!
First day of hiking which end up being pretty muddy.
Hiking very quite so not to spook any wildlife. Heading back into Whitehorse Wildland with fresh snow over night.
One of the Grizzlies I was photographing walked across the trail in front of me!!! That was exciting!!!
On my return trip back from my Whitehorse Wildland hike I realized this large Grizzly had followed me for about a 100 yards before it turned off the trail I was on. Never saw it so I was very disappointed.
Fresh Wolf track on my first day of hiking but I never saw any the whole trip. :(
On my last day when I came back from a short hike, I noticed this Bighorn Ewes who was licking the dirt of the side of my rental vehicle. You can see her lick marks on the drivers side door. I actually had to go and push her away. That was fun!
OMG, caught in the act of licking dirt!
The snow was getting deeper as the day went on. There was a herd of Bighorn Sheep up on a ridge to the right of the photograph. It sure was a challenge hiking up there as it seemed snow was getting deeper as I hiked up about 500 ft vertically.
Winter Wonderland!!! Near the trail head of the Whitehorse Wildland.
Alberta, CAnada Trip Gallery of Photographs
Select a photo, then select the arrow to the right or left to scroll though each one
