Friday morning we took our coffees to go as we headed out to Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada: where the prairies meet the mountains. We began the day’s adventures by detouring through a Bison Paddock on our way to the park.  If, like us, you are not familiar with what a Bison Paddock is, it turns out that it is like a Bison safari – a narrow stone road that winds through prairie lands inhabited by Bison.  We actually loved it so much we went through twice!

Afterwards, we spent most of the morning wandering around the quaint Waterton Village going in and out of shops before stopping for lunch on Middle Waterton Lake where we had a spectacular view of the historic Prince of Wales Hotel.  Once we were fuelled up, we set out to conquer the hike up Bear’s Hump which overlooks Waterton Village and provides incredible panoramic views of Upper and Middle Waterton Lakes.  After soaking up the scenery (and battling the wind!) at 1778m elevation, we strolled back down and took a short drive out to Cameron Lake to finish off our day.  On our way, we were stalled by a herd of bighorn sheep just strutting down the middle of the road – an apparently common occurrence along the Akamina Parkway!

Saturday we set out to do a longer, more challenging hike that promised the reward of beautiful fall colours – and it didn’t disappoint!  We hiked a steady 4km up to Lower Rowe Lake followed by a steep 2.4km to Upper Rowe Lake which delivered beautiful fall colours and vibrant, bright yellow Tamarack trees lining a turquoise blue lake – worth the climb!  The entire trek took us about 5 hours to complete so when we finally got back to Waterton Village, we rewarded ourselves with some must-have Weiners of Waterton – so hearty and delicious!

We wave a bittersweet goodbye to Waterton Lakes as we head out into the Canadian badlands…..

The prairies meet the Rockies at Waterton Lakes National Park.

Deer jumping over a fence on our way to Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the way to Waterton Lakes National Park.

Entering the Bison Paddock in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Bison at a pond just outside Waterton Lakes National Park.

Bison just outside the Rockies at Waterton Lakes National Park.

Bison just outside the Rockies at Waterton Lakes National Park.

Bison just outside the Rockies at Waterton Lakes National Park.

Prince of Wales Hotel on Waterton Lake – our lunch spot scenery.

Deer roaming the town of Waterton.

Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

The lodgepole pine produces resin-filled cones, the cones remain dormant until a fire occurs and melts the resin. Then the cones pop open and the seeds fall or blow out. This causes new growth which will soon replace dead trees.

This birch tree has a little green in its bark.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful views on Bear’s Hump trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

The lodgepole pine produces resin-filled cones, the cones remain dormant until a fire occurs and melts the resin. Then the cones pop open and the seeds fall or blow out. This causes new growth which will soon replace dead trees.

Bighorn sheep causing a traffic jam in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Bighorn sheep causing a traffic jam in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Moose(?) in the distance in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Cameron Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Adam in the distance at Cameron Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Prince of Wales Hotel lit up at night in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Small waterfall on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Amanda next to a small waterfall on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Small waterfall on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Waterfall on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Lower Rowe Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Upper Rowe Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Upper Rowe Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Upper Rowe Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Upper Rowe Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Upper Rowe Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beautiful scenery on the Lower & Upper Rowe Lake trail in Waterton LakesNational Park.

Deer causing a traffic jam in Waterton Lakes National Park.

A couple of wieners eating some wieners from Wieners of Waterton.