Candle – 2024

In fall 2024, my wife and I embarked on a three-day backcountry adventure along the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park. We spent the first night at Tumbling Creek and the second at Helmut Falls before hiking out on our third day. The highlight of our trip was, without a doubt, our second day.

We woke up early our second morning and hiked up to Rockwall Pass before sunrise to capture a sunrise photograph. I was able to capture a couple of images of the sunrise breaking through the cloud cover that was prevalent that morning. Yet, what stands out most vividly in my memory are the moments we walked through the golden larch forest at the top of the pass. In dawn’s first glow, those trees are something truly magical. It is an experience everyone should have at least once.

After spending a couple of hours photographing the impressive peaks in Rockwall Pass, we enjoyed breakfast with a view, packed up, and began our hike toward our next campsite. As we walked those few kilometres at the top of the pass, my head was on a swivel. The views were incredible all the way around us, and the larch trees were glowing in the morning light everywhere. We rounded the bend towards Wolverine Pass when I spotted this lone larch tree bathed in morning light. An image that hopefully captures some of the essence of that beautiful morning—a reminder of those breathtaking moments that make backcountry trips unforgettable.

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