How I found this image was one of pretty neat circumstances. Late September of this year I headed up into the Canadian Purcell Mountains hoping to catch the peak colors of the western alpine larch. These coniferous trees are one of the only kind to actually turn color in autumn and eventually lose their needles.

The day I made it to the trailhead I was running later than expected and realized I just had time to make it to the lower lake before sunset. As I had just finished packing my bag and about to start up the hike a man who looked to be in his 50s walked into view from the forest. He was the kind of fellow that had that certain shuffle as he walked, giving himself away as a man who has put on more miles on the trail than one could count. Being only one other car in the parking lot I knew it was his. What a weird coincidence to catch someone finishing the hike as I was about to start.

We talked for a few minutes and he proceeds to tell me "if you go off trail above the lake there's this really cool pond".

He doesn't elaborate much but my curiosity was peaked beings the man knew I was a photographer. What could he have thought was so worth it to see going way off trail for a pond?

I hiked to the lake, set up camp and went to bed. The next day a small squall came in and I waited it out until the sun came out late morning. Then I hiked around the lake and began my climb. There was no trail but I did find that man's footprints in the snow shortly after embarking. So I knew I was going the right direction. Then I lost the tracks and followed the map, picking my way slowly up over the large boulders, trees, ridges and draws. It was steep in some spots and moderate rout finding was needed. But even with a 60 pound pack I made it up the ridge and into a upper valley. The entire valley was filled with golden larches!

Spread out, not too thick not to thine. This was like stepping into heaven on earth! The bright afternoon suns rays shone through the yellow and gold needles bringing the colors to life even more. There was a few inches of snow on the ground making the undolding scene even more dramatic. I realized I had went to far up the slope, turned around and made my way to where the pond should have been. Then I bumped over one last knoll and there it was!! The view in this posted image was literally right in front of me.

If someone were to be able to watch me in that moment and see my facial expressions when this scene unfolded I would think it would have been one of awe and splendor. The place was so pristine there is no show of humans walking around the pond at all. A slice of heaven on earth for me to enjoy that day. And I have to thank that old gentleman and God for having us meet up. Otherwise I would have never have known about this secret in the heart of the mountains.