Scott Stoness Offline Upload & Sell: On
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CarlG wrote:
To the Banff shooters, if you had to select just one of these two months to shoot (July or early Dec), which would it be? Talking strictly landscape opportunities.
I know that's a very general question, but I'm trying to narrow down between wildflower scenics or snow-capped scenics.
Thanks.
Carl - you pm'd - I am posting what I sent you in case its helpful to others;
its a good time to ask because it is December and I am living it.
June is the best month for animals. The grizzlies are low down trying to find some food to bulk up on where there is no snow. The babies are out - bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzlies.. The downside of June is that most of the trails up high will be inaccessible. And the kids are still in school. School is off July/Aug here. And the days will be long, long, long --- 4am to 11pm is wonderful.
I consider the 3rd week in September to be the best week overall. You will see snow. You will see animals (moose, bear, wolves if you are lucky) and the larch will change color and the mountains will be accessible. You can hike all the trails with metal cleats on your hiking boots. This is the premier time for color and landscape.
But the 2nd week in July through early September are spectacular too. The high trails will be clear of ice and the wildflowers will be out. And the days are still pretty long. And outdoor camping is spectacular.
December is good but challenging. It can be -35(For C). The roads are pretty good. It can snow a lot but the parks will clear the roads so it just forces you to be in close if there is a big snow storm. However it will be hard to find animals. They are quite stressed at this time of year and tend not to move around much to conserve energy. The bears are in hibernation. You would expect to see some elk (some antlers will have fallen off some not) and bighorn sheep and Ravens - but not much else.
The great thing for me about winter is that the sun comes up at 8:45 and goes down at 5pm or so - therefore you don't have to stay out all night.
Ultimately, it depends on you. Winter is not easy. Its really cold. Cameras don't work well. The only spots available are near the road unless you put on the snowshoes and snowshoeing is about 2x the effort of hiking. If you want a tough but rewarding experience (winter boots, cold feet, dead batteries) come in the winter, but 3rd week of September might give you the same (snow, mood) without the challenges (batteries, access) and some color (larch turning) and animals.
For winter - Google spots:
1) Peyto Lookout
2) Bow Lake Winter
3) Vermillion Lake
4) Abraham Lake
5) Fowl Lake
6) Castle Junction
7) Emerald Lake
And decide whether these pictures are worth frozen fingers and lots of work on snowshoes.
If you really want a winter experience - I suggest flying into Calgary and book a week at Mount Assiniboine Lodge. Helicopter in and snowshoe and take pictures. Then do the spots above when you get out. It is gorgeous. My suggestion though - is that if you want a winter experience come out in March rather than December. The days would be longer and the temperature is likely to be nicer.
If the challenges and the opportunities are not in balance for your- plan around the 3rd week of September. Obvious ones are:
1) Lake Ohara (have to book ahead but its the best)
2) Moraine Lake
3) Vermillions Lake
4) 2 Jack Lake
5) Castle Junction
6) Bow Lake
7) Peyto Lake
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