How are we wandering Americans to know it’s Canada’s provincial parks camping weekend? Of course, all campgrounds from Jasper to Banff are overflowing so we drive on. Sun is setting low over the pass when we find a lonely parking lot near trailhead where we can park our pickup camper for the night. Tired of riding, we decide to check out the trail as dusk settles on forest.
Light fades fast in the high country, exaggerating shapes and shadows. Full skirts of fir trees appear as dark illustrations straight from the Brothers Grimm. My apprehension only serves to amplify the crunch of pine needles and sounds of skittering. We meet last pair of hikers coming back down trail and I note they have walking sticks equipped with bear bells.
night envelops trees
alpine woods bathed in shadow
autumn falls early
Poets at dVerse are writing haibuns and “forest bathing” this week!
a poem in my pocket 
Mar 08, 2017 @ 21:40:51
ooooh. this is both enchanting and haunting, Lynn! your descriptions are so vivid. ❤
Mar 08, 2017 @ 22:07:51
Appreciate your comments 😀
Mar 08, 2017 @ 23:27:27
you’re welcome! 🙂
Mar 07, 2017 @ 17:05:41
That part of the world is on my bucket list. That must of been a bit scary, not exactly knowing where you were and what you might encounter.
Mar 07, 2017 @ 21:46:51
It was scary that night…but gorgeous scenery in the daytime!!
Mar 07, 2017 @ 15:19:07
Ah yes, bear bells. And I remember metal boxes with padlocks for storing food so the bears couldn’t get at it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your haibun. It brought back memories of our own trips in that area when we were young.
Mar 07, 2017 @ 17:11:23
Beautiful country, it is! Thanks for commenting, Misky 😀
Mar 07, 2017 @ 13:01:05
I was in Glacier many years ago, and remember those bear-bells, but I always enjoyed finding a campground at trailhead or similar… (of course we slept in tent, so bears would be a concern)
Mar 07, 2017 @ 14:09:20
Yes, in a tent you’re even closer to nature 😉
Mar 07, 2017 @ 11:39:29
I am actually going to that area this summer and I expect it to be fully packed ~ I hope you enjoyed the trip even though its nighttime. And I love your haiku of alpine woods bathing in shadows Lynn ~ Thanks for joining us ~
Mar 07, 2017 @ 11:50:55
It is an area of stunning beauty and, thankfully, we spent some daylight hours there as well. Enjoy your trip!
Mar 07, 2017 @ 10:13:43
Sounds a bit ominous… When we travelled to the US a few years ago, we went to Maine via New York and found out it was a US holiday and traffic was so busy as were all the hotels… we drove and drove one night to find some haven to stay the night. When you’re in a different country it’s hard sometimes.. .. Diane
Mar 07, 2017 @ 10:37:09
Yes, it just happens that way sometimes. We loved BC/Alberta…and enjoyed a long, beautiful hike the next morning 😀
Mar 07, 2017 @ 07:53:24
Okay………you’ve taken me a different direction with this one! I’m nervous, more and more as I read! Which is the sign of a good writer as you’ve taken me right where you are. Those bear bells, dark….skirts of trees….shadows. Not so serene in this scene.
Mar 07, 2017 @ 09:38:52
Thanks for coming with me…even though this hike was anything but serene forest bathing 😁
Mar 07, 2017 @ 07:29:03
I get a sense of foreboding on trails at times especially if I don’t see anyone else on the trail or it is getting dark. It is also possible to get lost on trails that wind around and with paths that cross each other taking you on circles without realizing it. I almost always have a phone with GPS with me. We use an app (Life360) that allows other people in my family to know where the phone is. If the phone has problems, I return from the trail.
Mar 07, 2017 @ 08:58:39
You share words of an experienced and wise hiker. Thanks, Frank! My husband had his phone and I had my flashlight along…in pocket.
Mar 07, 2017 @ 00:47:56
I hope you turned and followed their bear bells back to the trail head! Beautiful description of the forest at night with shadows looming. Thank you for taking us along!
Mar 07, 2017 @ 08:54:47
We ventured a bit farther, then turned back. Enjoyed a beautiful hike the next morning…but still thought of bears 😉
Mar 07, 2017 @ 00:01:26
love your haiku!
Mar 07, 2017 @ 08:51:17
I’m glad 😁
Mar 06, 2017 @ 21:39:44
Excellent! And though it is dark, it fits the prompt perfectly. Being in the forest isn’t always relaxing. The haiku is spot on…autumn falls early adds to the (cant think of the word I want) scary tone of this.
Mar 07, 2017 @ 08:49:33
Thanks, Toni …your words encourage me on the trail 🙂
Mar 07, 2017 @ 13:42:55
Thank you Lynn for your poetry.