Western anemones

A common subalpine flower in these parts, the western anemone forms lovely seed heads in August. We think they look like the wild silvery hair of aging hippies, also common in these parts.

Azure pond

One of the tiny alpine lakes along the Alps Alturas route.

Watermelon snow

Watermelon snow is the pink mid-summer snow that we often see in the alpine. It's the result of an algae that thrives on slowly melting snow exposed to lots of bright sunlight. It actually smells of watermelon too.

Alps Alturas

Alps Alturas Trail
Distance: 9.61 km (6.0 mi).
Route type: Out-and-back
Suitable for: Hiking
Elevation change: 509 metres up, 509 metres down

Technical difficulty rating:  
Navigational difficulty rating:  

The Alps Alturas trail will fill a big half day, or a lazier full day. The access road takes about an hour to drive the 28 kilometres each way and is best suited to 4WD vehicles, but it's a drive that holds its own magic: the views begin to open up by the 12 km mark and are breathtaking. The drive is not for the faint of heart, but this year the road is in good shape except for the last 750 metres or so. The turnoff from Highway 6 is at Rosebery, 5 km north of New Denver, along East Wilson Creek Road. After a couple of kilometres, take the right fork towards Dennis Creek Basin and Alps Alturas. Keep following the main road. Once the views open up, the road descends for a bit. Don't worry: you're still heading the correct way!

We took it easy and found that the hike took about two and a half hours of moving time. With breaks, and a bit of picnicking and exploration time at the top, we probably took closer to 4 hours on the trail. In late August the wildflowers were a little past their prime, but the boggy area was relatively dry and the temperatures were perfect -- not too hot despite the bright clear exposure.

This is a trail best undertaken by people who are reasonably fit. We brought a determined little 10-year-old with us and it was easily within her capabilities, but it was a fair bit of work. The climbing isn't overly steep, and is broken up by some rolling sections, but you do gain 300 metres of it over the first couple of kilometres.

The trail affords some spectacular views and changes of terrain, everything from lush green basins, vistas of the Valhallas, raw stony slopes, last winter's snow to cold clear lakes. If you have the vehicle for the drive and thighs that don't mind a bit of muscle burn now and then, this is one of the best day hikes in the area.

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Sun rays

Evening over the Valhallas.

Bears and cherries

More Lupins

The lake is so high right now that the lupins have wet feet.

Sit at your own risk

A ferocious windstorm brought down dozens of trees around town, including many giant cottonwoods and cedars along the lakefront. Several fell on trailers, sheds, campers and atop or near houses but no one was injured. Beneath this one is the remains of a park bench.

Zen world fusion under the trees

A new constellation of local musicians have been jamming a new kind of music and this weekend they put on a performance at the Kohan Garden. It was the place to be. Small people, tall people, old people, young people, shorts & tank top people, long skirt people, local people, former local people, visitors from afar. Almost as much a social event as a musical one, but the music was great too.

School garden

This new green space adjacent to the preschool and primary classrooms grows herbs, veggies and a wide variety of colourful and interesting plants. During the summer it's maintained mostly by volunteers.

Cello with limbs

It's music school time again. Pedestrian traffic can look a little unique.

Smoky haze

Smoke

Wildfires 75 km to the north have put a haze in the air, making the mountain peaks and ridges barely visible. They're dropping ash on everything, and giving the sunlight a curious orangey-yellow cast.

Fishing

Garden Bench

Shade

On the heat of a late July day, visitors to the Kohan Garden can find shade and peacefulness alongside the lakeshore.

Kohan Garden Entry

Street faire

Besides the weekly farmers' market, New Denver hosts an annual street faire attracting flea market, antique, jewelry, imports and clothing vendors.