Have you ever stared at a mountain range and wondered what was up there? Are there meadows as well as ridgelines? Are there hidden lakes and cascading waterfalls? Are there plants and animals not seen at lower elevations?

We discovered on our heli-hiking trip to the Bugaboo area of the Canadian Rockies that the answer to these questions was: “Yes, more than you can possibly imagine.” We were awe-struck by the incredible diversity of the landscapes, the plant life, and by hidden views just around the next bend.

So what is heli-hiking? It’s an opportunity to travel by helicopter high into the mountains where most people never venture (except without a great deal of effort!), and to explore at your own pace. Here the experienced hiker can be challenged and the casual walker can meander.

We had two and a half days filled with hiking; with each half day a new adventure. The first afternoon we hiked along ridgelines. The second day we hiked through forested areas and meadows with abundant water features. On our third day we went to our highest elevation and hiked down into alpine meadows with cobalt blue lakes and streams winding down the mountains. We enjoyed a bag lunch on day two, but were treated to a mountain-top barbeque overlooking the glaciers on day three. It was spectacular!

You can find things you have lost on a mountain – things you may not have even realized were missing. In our group we found the joy of child-like wonder, the feeling of peaceful solitude, a sense of accomplishment, freedom from daily concerns, answers to personal issues, and the value of new friendships earned through a shared experience. (And you thought all we were doing was hiking!)

Without exception, every one of us would return to the Canadian Rockies. After all, there are so many more mountains yet to explore!