Sulphur Moutain Trail
Sulphur Mountain Trail climbs steadily through dense subalpine forest before opening up to sweeping panoramic views of the Bow Valley, the town of Banff, and the surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks. About three quarters of the way up, a clearing gives you your first real composition opportunity, with the valley stretching out below and layered ridgelines receding into the distance. At the summit, shoot from multiple positions along the boardwalk to frame Cascade Mountain, the Fairholme Range, and the town far below. Golden hour light in the early morning is ideal, with warm tones raking across the peaks and mist sometimes sitting in the valley. A wide angle lens handles the broad vistas well, while a telephoto lets you compress the mountain layers for dramatic effect. The gondola at the top means you can descend without retracing your steps, making a sunrise start very practical. (Banff, Alberta, Canada)
