Waterton Lakes Workshop Guide



ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS

Thank you for choosing to come along on this adventure! You’re about to set out on a photographic journey through an amazing landscape – a place that is not only photographically compelling, but a place where life flourishes in extreme environments and where the effects of geologic processes and weather are beautifully evident. It’s both humbling and inspiring to witness these locations.

We believe that the creative path is a never-ending, highly rewarding, and self-fulfilling journey. Creating new work takes persistence, patience and demands active participation of the photographer. It resists and challenges what we experience in other aspects of our fast-paced grind culture. Our goal is to foster an elevated awareness of your surroundings, encourage you to explore, experiment and emotionally connect to the aspects of nature that call to you, and to plant seeds of creativity via thoughts and concepts that will open doors into new ways of interpreting the environment through your lens. We help you discover practical methods to let go of attachments and expectations in the field, and instead find space to invite possibility which, we believe, leads to creating more expressive and personally meaningful images.

While we are committed to making sure you come away from the workshop with great photos, the true value lies in unlocking your inner voice and growing into your creative, authentic self. We focus on the development of your creative vision and creating personal and meaningful experiences for you to carry with you on your journey.

We are providing this document in order to share some important information that will help make that possible. It is separated into three sections: General Information, Waterton Accommodation and Amenities, and Frequently Asked Questions. It’s advised that you read through and consider the information shared in preparation for your trip.

If you have not done so already, please fill out the workshop registration page before you depart for the workshop. This helps us to get a good idea of your experience level, your goals and expectations for the workshop, as well as vital emergency contact information.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions whatsoever! We’re at your service. Thank you for choosing us and for supporting our dreams!

-TJ and Anna

TJ: 503-758-8627

Anna: 236-982-9590

SECTION I: General Information



WHAT TO EXPECT

While we will not decide on an exact photo location schedule at this time, this is a basic overview that you can use to book your travel and lodging. Time-specific information will be sent to you closer to the date of the workshop. We highly advise arriving at least one day before the start of the workshop so that your attendance is not impacted by potential travel delays. For information on accommodation, please see Section II.

On the first day, we will meet in the morning for breakfast / brunch in Waterton townsite. There will be a short presentation on what to expect during the workshop and how to get the most out of it. We feel that seeing example photos and discussing our in-field approach can help direct your vision towards the photographic possibilities that exist outside of the grand vistas and obvious subjects. Our goal during this workshop is not only to give you a great experience with photos to remember it by, but also to help hone your approach to photographic practices, expand your creative vision, and change the way that you think about light.

Sunrise at this time of the year is around 5.35am. A typical day usually involves departing before dawn for a sunrise shoot. The time that we depart each day varies, and is based on travel time to the location. The earliest departure time we typically have is around 4:45am for our farthest sunrise location and we do our best to balance the days to ensure that you get enough rest. We typically finish up by 9:30am which enables you to get back to home base in time for breakfast.

Midday can take on many different forms based on our schedule and what the weather is doing. Some days we may find ourselves utilizing the midday light in a canyon or at an overlook photographing dappled light. Other days we might have a classroom session or spend the time exploring. We try to balance the days so that you are feeling as refreshed and invigorated as possible.

Sunset at this time of the year is around 9.30pm. We typically leave for our shoot between 5pm and 6pm so an early dinner is best to avoid running on an empty tank.

The workshop will conclude at 2pm after a classroom session that will be focused on creative thinking.




COMMUNICATION

We will be communicating during the workshop via WhatsApp. This is a free messaging service that works on both iOS and Android and it really helps to streamline our communication by keeping it all in one place. Please download the app as soon as possible and we will create a group where questions can be asked prior to the workshop and where we will send meetup information. Once we have your phone number, we will add you to the group.

Waterton is a remote location and cellular service is available through all three carriers but Telus and Bell have greater coverage with stronger signals. Cell phone coverage is not reliable once outside of the townsite. Wifi is available in some of the townsite lodges and restaurants.




ABOUT WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK


Named after the naturalist and conservationist Charles Waterton, Waterton Lakes was designated as a National Park in 1911 although a small area of the park had been protected as an unnamed forest park since 1895. Three years later, the park was significantly expanded to cover 1096 km2, around half of which is considered wilderness. It is the smallest park in the Canadian Rockies but packs a big punch!

Located in the southwest corner of Alberta, it borders Glacier National Park, Montana on the U.S. side of the 49th parallel. Together, the two parks form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (IPP) which was created in 1932 as a symbol of peace and goodwill between Canada and the United States. As well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Peace Park is also designated an International Dark Sky Park - the first one in the world which crosses an international border.

The area is part of the traditional territory, and a place of significance, for the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and other Indigenous peoples. The traditional Blackfoot name for Waterton Lakes is Paahtómahksikimi (BUCK-toe-MOCK-sick-ih-mee) meaning the inner sacred lake within the mountains. Huge herds of bison once roamed this area and the earliest evidence of hunting and gathering among Waterton’s lakes and mountains stretches back more than 10,000 years. In these rich valleys, Indigenous peoples, including Niitsitapii (Blackfoot) and K’tunaxa peoples, hunted bison on foot and collected plants for food and medicine. A travel route called the Buffalo Trail used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years crossed south Kootenay Pass and followed Blakiston Creek past the mouth of the Red Rock Canyon. Seasonal hunting camps have been found near the Canyon dating to 8,000 years ago.

Glaciation effects have shaped the park over millions of years and although no glaciers are left in the area today, their historic presence is evident at every turn. Since the Ice Age began approximately two million years ago, at least four major continental ice sheets have advanced into this area and then receded. As the continental glaciers approached from the north and east, glaciers began to grow and advance in the mountains. Glacial movement has resulted in long, fertile hills, called lateral moraines, which are conspicuous along major valley edges. Kettle Lakes are dotted around whereever a melting mass of glacial ice remained in a depression after the main body of the glacier retreated. And the landscape is littered with erratics. Often found in open country many miles from any possible source, erratics are either unusually large boulders found among smaller till or large rocks that were ice-rafted and deposited on the floor of glacial outwash lakes. And of course the valleys themselves; U-shaped troughs surrounded by serrated, sharp peaks.

The oldest visible rocks in the park at 1.5 billion years old are sedimentary rocks composed of limestone and dolomite. The geology here is quite different to the rest of the Canadian Rockies - due to way the fault line has moved rock at this location, older rock lies above younger rock.

Fire ecology is an important part of ecosystem health but the severity of the Kenow wildire was exceptional. In late August 2017, an intense lightning and thunderstorm hit the area. Strong winds and dry conditions fuelled the extreme fire which ended up burning 38% of the parklands. The landscape has transformed and rejuvenated and wildlife continues to thrive in the park.

Home to more than 60 species of mammals, the Waterton-Glacier Peace Park is one of the few places in North America where all native carnivores survive. Several different ecological regions meet in Waterton - with prairie plants of the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain plants from northern areas, and coastal plants from the Pacific Northwest which overlap to create four different ecoregions: foothills parkland, montane, subalpine, and alpine. As a result, Waterton has the highest plant diversity of any of the parks in the Canadian Rockies.



GETTING TO WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK



From Calgary International Airport (YYC): 2h 30m hour drive (274km)


Lethbridge airport (YQL): 1h 17m; (119 km)


Pincher Creek (where the Lightchasers Conference is held): 30m; 56km



LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES


We highly encourage you to familiarize yourself with these principles by visiting the website: The Leave No Trace Seven Principles. While the Leave No Trace Principles have been the standard for years, we encourage you to take it one step further and Leave It Better. We encourage you to do your part in helping maintain the beauty of our natural areas by packing-out any litter or manmade materials you come across.




PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND SAFETY


Being that the workshop is being held in a natural area, many obstacles and challenges present themselves and we are providing this guide to help make your experience safer, more comfortable, and provide a higher yield in photographic opportunities. Safety is of utmost importance. While most locations on the workshop are easily accessible, there are some inherent dangers that can be present. While we won’t be visiting extremely remote areas during the workshop, we offer the following suggestions:

Carry the Ten Essentials on all of your outings into nature. Sometimes this may seem like overkill but a simple hike can quickly and unexpectedly turn into a survival scenario. You can find the list by visiting this link: The Ten Essentials. Some of the most important items in the Ten Essentials will be mentioned below as well.

It is advised that you be comfortable and physically capable of hiking up to 3 miles over uneven terrain. Since hiking ability is subjective, it is hard to tell you that a certain hike is ‘easy’ or ‘difficult’. Many of the hikes on this workshop would classify as 'easy' to the novice hiker, but you should trust your own instincts and abilities when hiking. Some of the obstacles you may encounter when hiking both on and off trail include: uneven terrain, steep drop-offs, crumbling cliff edges, mud, slippery surfaces and fast-moving glacial water.

Carry a map of the area. While electronic GPS devices and phone apps are handy, nothing beats having a map/compass and knowing how to read them it in the case of electronic failure.

Pack extra water and food. We advise carrying a gallon of water in your vehicle in addition to the water that you will be carrying on your person. Meal bars, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds are recommended.

Avoid stepping on flora. Not only is this for your safety but it helps preserve the beauty of the area by not wearing down and killing the wildflowers which struggle to survive in this very short summer season.

Wildlife abounds in Waterton – it is one of the few places in North America where all native carnivores survive and it is important to stay safe while hiking in bear country. There is a high chance of seeing grizzly bears and black bears in the park. They must be given space at all times and a distance of 300ft is recommended. Remain in your vehicle if you spot a bear from the road. As we are in a group, we will naturally make noise on the trail, so as not to inadvertently creep up on one and. If you / we encounter a bear on the trail stay still and then slowly back away to give the bear as much space as possible. Never try to outrun a bear! In May and June, female bear and cubs are emerging from their dens and spending time in valley bottoms and near roadsides. Remember that black bears climb trees (fast) so look up. Consider carrying bear spray (and have it accessible) and know how to use it, paying attention to the often windy conditions that exist in Waterton. 

Female elk are calving in May and will aggressively defend their young. Give them lots of space - at least 100ft, but preferably more.

You are less likely to encounter a cougar in the park as they usually shy away from human interaction. However, if you do come across a cougar, stay calm and do not run. Back away slowly while making yourself look as big as possible - spread your arms and legs and maintain eye contact at all times. If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively, continue maintaining eye contact, show your teeth and make loud noises. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks (or tripods!) as weapons. If a cougar attacks, fight back!

Ticks are present in Waterton Lakes National Park. Check your clothing and body for ticks after time on the trail. Tick bites can cause serious illness. Consider using tick repellant.



WEATHER AND CLOTHING


As is the case in all mountainous regions, the weather can change dramatically within any given day, and elevation makes a big difference to the temperatures and wind speeds. The climate in Waterton is strongly influence by prevailing Pacific maritime weather systems and the park receives the highest annual precipitation of anywhere in Alberta at an average of 42 inches a year. Most of this precipitation falls as snow and, with snow melt at peak in May and June, you can expect to find lots of spring runoff in stream and lakes. Rain is common in May with some snow at elevation but the sun can also be intense when it is out, so it is important to be prepared for all weathers.

Wind is an important and noticeable element of the park’s climate. Winds are frequent and strong because the park lies in a concentrated storm track. The mountain valleys funnel the prevailing southwest winds and strong gusts spill out on to the prairie. Strong chinook winds are also common and create distinct cloud features.

You can expect daytime temperatures to be between 15°C and 19°C (59°F - 66F) during the day but much chillier at night (3°C to 6°C or 37°F – 42°F on average). Wind chill is also significant in the park so it can feel a lot colder than the actual temperatures.  This means packing a warm hat, rain coat, and gloves as well as clothing for warmer temperatures and the layers in between.

Sunscreen and sunglasses are important. The average UV index in Waterton in May indicates that sunscreen is recommended. In addition, if there is snow on the ground at any of the locations we visit, UV radiation can double in intensity due to the snow reflection.

With the high heat, cold temperatures, and wind, carrying lip balm is highly advised.



OTHER CLOTHING TO CONSIDER

  • Bandana/Buff - for covering your neck from the beating sun and the wind
  • Sandals/Flip Flops - for letting your feet breathe while relaxing at camp or in town
  • Rain Gear
  • Gaitors
  • Soft Shell Coat or Windbreaker - To help protect you from the winds we may experience
  • Long Sleeve T-shirts
  • Short Sleeve T-shirts
  • Convertible Hiking Pants - Allows you to have both shorts and pants and quickly transition from one to the other. Pants are recommended on trails and grassy areas due to presence of ticks.
  • Fleece or Insulated Jacket - We bring warmer coats for the high elevations but also something lighter for times when the sun isn't beating down.
  • Warm Hat
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimwear - There is a pool at the recreation centre in Waterton Township inside Waterton Lakes Lodge. See Section II for more information about lodging.
  • Hiking Shoes with good soles.

PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT TO BRING


  • Your Camera - You can choose to use any camera you like, but a digital camera with full manual control and interchangeable lenses is highly recommended and gives you the best experience. It is advised that you fully understand how to operate your camera.
  • Lenses - There are opportunities to use any focal length possible, so bring all that you can, wide to long as there are possibilities for shots ranging from 14mm all the way to 600mm. We recommend renting a long telephoto if you do not own one.
  • Tripod - We will often be shooting in low light, requiring longer exposure times.
  • Filters - Generally all you will need to use is a polarizer and neutral density filters. Although, it is possible to get great shots without either.
  • Batteries and Chargers
  • Plenty of Memory Cards
  • Remote Trigger
  • Lens Cleaning Supplies - Lens cloths, rocket blowers, brushes
  • Computer/Portable Hard Drive (optional) - For downloading your files off of your memory cards for redundancy.
  • Camera Bag - It's advised to bring one large enough to hold your camera gear, clothing layers, water, snacks, and your Ten Essentials.

OTHER GEAR TO CONSIDER


  • Headlamp (highly recommended) or flashlight - We may be out before the sun comes up or after it goes down.
  • Medications
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip Balm
  • Personal Care Items - Toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant
  • Toilet Paper - No explanation needed
  • Foam Seating Pad - For comfort when kneeling or sitting outside. There are many options out there but we recommend Z Seats.
  • Trash Bags - Not only for picking up and packing out trash, but also to lay on the ground in muddy or wet conditions. Some areas we take you to may be wet or muddy.
  • Smart Phone and Charger
  • Pocket Knife
  • Reusable Water Bottles
  • Bear spray
  • Tick repellant
  • Water - to is important to stay hydrated at all time. It is recommended that you carry at least an extra gallon of water in your vehicle in case of emergency. Always leave for a hike with full bottles on your person after having refreshed yourself and topping them off.

SECTION II: Waterton Lakes Accommodation and Amenities



WHERE TO SLEEP (AND SHOWER)


Waterton Townsite is the only ‘village’ area within the National Park. Businesses in and around the town offer hotel accommodations, dining, shopping, entertainment, recreation rentals and fuel pumps. Waterton is loaded with accommodation options. This is not designed to be an exhaustive list but a sampling of what is available.



HOTELS

Glacier Inn and Suites: Located in the centre of town, Glacier Inn and Suites has offered us king rooms (king bed with separate living room which includes a sofa bed) for a daily rate of $199 CAD between 17th and 21st May.  A clean and comfortable place to stay, Glacier Inn also has an in-house Italian restaurant, the Red Rock Trattoria, which is open for dinner.  To take advantage of the rate, you can call them on +1 (403) 859 2004 and mention that you are with Anna Morgan for the Waterton photography workshop.  This is where Anna and TJ will be staying.  

Aspen Village: The Aspen Village provides a wide variety of hotel accommodation styles. A simple, clean and comfortable place to stay while keeping within budget. Easily identified by its bright red roofs, the Aspen Village surrounds a large picnic area, BBQ pit, while offering three unique selections of accommodation in one property. Prices start at $149 a night. You can view the room options on their website http://www.aspenvillageinn.com. You can reserve online, by emailing [email protected] or by calling +1 (403) 859 2252

Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort: This popular lodge has a variety of room types and tends to fill up fast. The lodge has a reacreation centre including pool and hot tub and a restaurant on site (Vimy’s – see below in where to eat section). Rates start at $206. Make a reservation at [email protected] or call +1 (403) 859 2150.

Prince of Wales Hotel: The Prince of Wales Hotel has stood overlooking the Waterton Village since 1927. An iconic marker for Waterton Lakes National Park, the hotel was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992. Rates vary between $289 and $329 per night. See https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/lodging/prince-of-wales-hotel/ for more information or call +1 (403) 859 2231

For more options on accommodation both within and outside of the park, visit: https://mywaterton.ca/stay




CAMPGROUNDS


Waterton Townsite Campground - Operated by Parks Canada, this campground is conveniently located at the south end of Waterton townsite, at the end of Windflower Avenue. It offers 90 fully serviced sites, 45 electric only sites as well as unserviced and walk-in and tent-only sites. Washrooms with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and hot showers are available. There are no firepits at individual sites and wood fires are permitted only in the shared kitchen shelters. Generators are permitted during certain hours. Fees range from $25 per night to $42.50 depending on the site. A valid National Park Entry Pass is also required. The campground fills up quickly in summer. Even in May, reservations are recommended.

This is bear country so you must follow the ‘bare campsite program’ rules:

All food and scented items stored in:

A hard-sided vehicle, trailer, or motorhome.
A campground food storage locker.
You must not leave food and scented items in an open, screened-in, or soft-sided shelter such as a tent, dining shelter or the open back of a truck.

This rule applies whenever food and scented items are not in use including at night while you are sleeping or when you are away from your site for any length of time. When away from your site, you may leave out your camping furniture (e.g. chairs, lanterns, and tents).




WHERE TO EAT



WATERTON TOWNSHIP:

Switchback Cafe at Tamarack Outdoors - espresso and tea bar, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and smoothies. Open from 8.30am

Lakeside Chophouse – West Coast fine dining overlooking Waterton Lake. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7am – 10pm 7 days a week with a wide ranging menu.

Red Rock Trattoria - serving Italian fare, Rech Rock Trattoria is open for dinner 5pm – 8.30pm daily.

Rocky Mountain General Store – a one-stop shop for groceries on Windflower Avenue including fresh produce and pharmacy items. Open 9am – 7pm. There is also a Subway restaurant on-site.

The Taco Bar – Open 12pm – 8pm Thursdays – Mondays. Serving traditional Mexican food. They make all the food fresh so when it’s gone, it’s gone for the day (and closing time may vary).

Windflower Corner Coffee – open daily from 7am. Windflower has an extensive breakfast menu and you can grab lunch to-go here too.

Pizza of Waterton – serves pizza and other Italian dishes and does takeout. Open daily 11am – 9pm.

Vimy’s Lounge and Grill – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a casual dining and lounge experience. Located in the Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort.

Wieners – A Waterton staple serving all kinds of hot dogs. Open later morning for lunch and dinner but also features a breakfast menu.



WHERE TO GET FUEL


It is recommended that you keep your tank at least more than 1/3rd full during the duration of the workshop. Self-serve fuel is available in Waterton Township at Pat’s, which is open seasonally, though cash is only accepted during business hours. There is a gas station on Hwy 5 around 20km outside of the park and there are a few gas stations located in and around Pincher Creek.

Section III: FAQ


Which lenses should I bring? There is opportunity for every lens and the hikes aren't very long so bring all that you can afford to bring and are willing to carry! With the style of TJ’s and Anna’s photography, it pays to bring a telephoto as long as 400mm-600mm.

What kind of car do I need? We will be on paved roads only throughout the workshop so there is no need for a high clearance vehicle. We encourage people to car pool as much as possible as some of the pullouts have limited parking Anna and TJ travel together in one vehicle.

What do you use for GPS? We both use the Gaia GPS app on our phones and highly recommend it. There are both free and premium (subscription) versions. The premium version allows you to download the maps for offline use which is very handy. The app allows you to record your track, view various types of data (elevation, speed, duration, etc.), and drop waypoints with photos attached which is very helpful for when you find a composition or subject that you like and want to return to in different light. You can learn more about the differences between the two versions on their website.

What happens during inclement weather? We photograph! Sometimes the weather can create an invigorating and memorable experience, so if it's anything but downright miserable or dangerous, then we embrace the conditions and explore how we can use the conditions in creative ways to help tell the story of that moment. If the weather is so bad that it makes it impossible to photograph, then we will gather for classroom discussion, instruction, or critique. This would be optional and you can always choose to spend the time resting and relaxing if you prefer.

Do I need to bring my computer? You only need to bring your computer if you want to use it during down time, to download and backup your files off of your memory cards. If you don't have a need or interest for those things then we suggest leaving your computer behind so that you have one less expensive item to worry about while traveling.

We cannot reiterate enough to reach out if you have any questions or needs. We’re here to make this trip easy, fulfilling, fun, and memorable. If there’s anything we can do to help make that happen please let us know.

We look forward to the adventure and will reach out with more specific details soon!

TJ Thorne

503-758-8627

Anna Morgan

236-982-9590