The best thing about living in Alberta is that no matter where you go, there are incredible landscapes. From the badlands to the prairies right up to the foothills and the famous Canadian Rockies, everywhere has something to offer.
I’ve been exploring Alberta with my camera for just over six years and the thing that still surprises me is that you can walk five steps from your vehicle and feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness. I want to share some of my favourite moments and photographs from my adventures in Alberta.
1. Bow Lake, Alberta
Bow lake is roadside on one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Icefields Parkway. This particular morning was special with fresh snow overnight and the perfect reflection of Crowfoot mountain from the shore of the lake.
2. Lake Louise Aerial, Alberta
Lake Louise is undoubtably one of the most iconic locations in Canada, and having visited it countless times and hiking the surrounding mountains I know the area very well. Seeing it from the air at sunrise is an experience unlike any other. With my legs hanging out of the side of the helicopter we hovered over the valley looking down on Lake Louise and eye to eye with Victoria Glacier.
3. Parker Ridge, Alberta
Parker Ridge is a beautiful hike in Banff National Park along the Icefields Parkway, it offers stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and towering peaks beside it. I was photographing the Milky Way from the top of the ridge as it was rising above the horizon. I took my sleeping bag and mat along with me to stay warm and couldn’t resist a photo of my setup. I spent a few hours there before hiking the forty-five minute trail back to the parking lot and driving back to my campground.
4. Tunnel Mountain Fog, Alberta
It was a rainy morning in the town of Banff and I was out in the nearby area to photograph some of the atmospheric cloud that was flooding the valley. Driving back home I noticed the sunlight bursting through the clouds lighting up this forest of lodge pole pine trees on Tunnel Mountain beautifully and giving the entire valley a mysterious glow.
5. Vermilion Lakes, Alberta
Vermilion Lakes are just outside the town of Banff and boast breathtaking views and plenty of wildlife encounters. There are three lakes in total with this particular one being the third and on this morning the wind was calm and the water still reflecting the Sundance mountain range like a mirror as sunlight burst through the clouds lighting up the distant forest.
6. Minnestimma Lakes, Alberta
Minnestimma Lake is a small lake high up in the alpine zone, accessible by a three hour hike from Moraine Lake. It offers daunting views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks from its shores and its reflection. Its the perfect reward after the strenuous uphill hike to get there. Fresh snowfall had coated the peaks white and wild clouds hugged the mountains making for one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen.
7. Peyto Lake
Perhaps one of the most beautiful views in the province, Peyto Lake is a classic Canadian Rockies view. Shaped like a Wolf’s head and a deep turquoise colour, you can’t take a bad photo of this lake. On this morning, it wasn’t a colourful sunrise but instead, a golden light lit up the clouds while the valley remained dark, mysterious and seemingly never ending, conditions that allow for some incredible photos.
8. Two Jack Lake
Another perspective of Mount Rundle is from Two Jack Lake, one of my favourite lakes to photograph and to canoe. The clouds on this morning were lit up golden from the sun, the water slowly broke along the shoreline and there was a general sense of calm in the air. It was the perfect condition for a long exposure photograph which gave the water this silky effect and captured the cloud movement.
Explore more of Callum’s work here, or grab a camera, follow in his footsteps head out with Intrepid and explore our brand new itineraries in Alberta.
