This was my much deserved reward after quite a steep hike up from Malign Lake in Jasper National Forest to the renowned summer wildflower displays of the alpine meadows of Opal Hills Loop. The hike is probably 1 1/2 hours one-way from the lake below and starts off with foreboding signs warning you of grizzly bears in the area and advising to hike in groups of four. Unfortunately, I had no group so I elected to proceed solo hoping that the probability of encountering those beautiful vistas above was substantially higher than a meeting with a bear. The beauty of those meadows and the wildflower display was a religious experience I'm profoundly grateful to have partaken in. Having the good fortune of being the sole patron of this sacred floral amphitheater for at least an hour before encountering another hiker evoked a profound sense of communion with the natural world that resonates with me to this day.