C-Level Cirque - 2016

Today is the third time we have hiked the C-Level Cirque trail. Last summer we first hiked the trail on June 18 and you can read the blog, and see the pictures here:

http://venturing4th.blogspot.ca/2015/06/c-level-cirque-trail.html

The second time was last year on August 18; you can read that blog here:

http://venturing4th.blogspot.ca/2015/08/c-level-cirque-ii.html

As it was on June 18,  the weather was rainy, but today it was also very cold - in the low 40s - but we had a good time!

We thought Maura would like this picture, taken at the trailhead when the sun was shining, of a Columbian ground squirrel just poking her head out of her underground home.

Frederick, in rain gear and winter hat and gloves, climbing over a downed tree. Where's that man on horseback with the hatchet?

While we were eating our lunch at the cirque, there were many of these Golden-mantled ground squirrels scurrying about. This one was snacking on an orange peel that some bad person littered. 

The cirque. If you compare it to pictures from June 18, 2015, you can see that there is much less snow/ice than last year.

We declined to take the trail along the opposite cliff wall. We did that both times last year, but the snow/hail was beginning and we decided against the further hike.

Approaching snow and hail. But, this was our lunch view never-the-less.

Back down on the trail were these lovely wildflowers that I don't know the name of.

This one we did identify - the Canada violet.

Back down at the trailhead, the surrounding peaks were shrouded in clouds.

As we drove back into Banff, Mt. Rundle was also shrouded but you can still see the newly fallen snow up on the peaks.

Today's hike:

Length - 5.16 miles

Duration - 3 hours, 20 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 1,520 feet (155 floors on the Fitbit)