MEDITATIVE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

The most beautifully constructed trail system I know is found in the high glacial terrain above Lake O’Hara in the Canadian Rockies. Much of this trail-building was accomplished because of the passion of a single man, Lawrence Grassi, who came from Italy to Canada in 1912. He started out working as a coal miner, but spent his own time as a mountain climber. Eventually he started building trails in various high valleys, and he might well be the Michelangelo of mountain trails. Much of his trail building in Yoho National Park occurred while he was a park warden. He was magnificently energetic and physically strong, living to age 90 or so.

In this photograph you can see how Mr. Grassi meticulously and artistically placed each stone. These not only provided a dry route for people to walk, they also protected the mountain meadow from damage by thousands of human footprints. This photograph is an homage to Lawrence Grassi, a true mountain man.

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition produced by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.