Recently I had the great fortune to wind up staying at the Stanley Mitchell Hut in Yoho National Park. Our little group got to the parking lot mid-afternoon, just in time for the thunder to start booming and the skies to open up. We took shelter under a woodshed near the parking lot until the rain slowed to an intermittent drizzle, then set off on the 10 km hike up to the hut.
Painting the late afternoon light, just before dinner
As soon as we got there, I took advantage of the clearing skies, ate a handful of trial mix to appease my grumbling stomach, and set up for my first painting of the trip!
The lake just before Kiwetinohk Pass
The next morning, we set out to hike up to Kiwetinohk Pass. My friends patiently took a snack break while I painted a quick sketch of the view. It took 14 minutes! I only know this because they were razzing me about having to wait, so I timed myself. The benefit of such quick studies is there is no way to overthink them - I had to get things down as fast as I could.
Stanley Mitchell Hut in Yoho National Park
The hut itself was cozy and rustic. There is a ladder up to the sleeping platforms on the second floor. They are literally on the floor - two long rows of twin mattresses, laid out side by side. When it’s full, it must be very cozy with your neighbours. On the second night, our group snagged the bedroom on the first floor. Those covered porches are essential when it’s raining. I found this out the hard way - I set up for an afternoon painting in the meadow, and it immediately started raining. I jogged back to the cabin, partly defeated. But then I set up for painting under the shelter of the roof. I do wonder - what do plein air painters do when it’s raining? I think next time I should bring a small tarp.
Five of the seven paintings I made on the trip
All in all, I made seven paintings on the trip. There are stunning views in every direction, and I could have made many more. Going on trips with non-painters, there is always a tension between getting in some painting time, and flowing with the energy of the group. I kept thinking about how great it would be go come back with like-minded plein air painters. Maybe next year!
Many years ago, I spent three months out hiking. I didn’t paint then. It seems like it would be a fantastic adventure to do something similar now, doesn’t it? To spend a whole summer out there, wandering this way and that, and putting all those experiences into paint? Dreams for another day.
Thank you for reading!