Bow Valley Provincial Park April 26, 2021

If I started at the Bow Valley Visitor Centre and followed the trail from there to the Bow River, I could make this a longer outing that would include lots of forest trails, passing through meadows, hiking by a Lake but most importantly it would afford me more time down along the River. The first kilometre or so was on a paved path that was snow and ice covered but then clear when it came to the open sections.

When the views opened up beautiful sights were presented! All the snow that fell yesterday has melted in the lower areas where the sun shines making it late spring-like, yet it is full on winter high in the mountains.   

After working my way through the forest then winding my way around the campground, I arrived at the trail down by the Bow River.  The River was high and I could tell right away there would not be many locations that could afford me the opportunity to get close to the edge.  I stuck to the trail. 

one location where I could safely get to the shore

With the snow still present, it was easy to see what kind of activity occurred recently.  The print was not gigantic and it was not from this morning as it was frozen over with a very light dusting of snow on top of the paw print.  Yet I still made sure to announce my presence and be aware of my surroundings.   

A few minutes later along the way, there were fresh tracks, as fresh as can be.  They were heading in the opposite direction to where I was going which meant we must have passed each other.  It was time to loudly move on leaving the meandering to another time.  It was time also to make a plan for a loop rather than heading back the way I came.

I arrived at the far end of the River trail and stopped at the picnic site for a snack. 

This was a good place to  capture a destination photo.  

With my interest lately in birds, I took more time making sure to get good photos of the ones I did see.  This American Robin posed on the edge of the picnic table.  I believe this is a Ruffed Grouse.  It is the only thing that looks like this in my bird book that has a fluffy head.  It took many shots to capture a clear one of the Killdeer.  Nearing the end of the hike I heard a woodpecker but could not see it.  I then did find it on the power pole.  It is a Three-Toed Woodpecker.  I took many shots but none showed its toes so I could do a toe count.

I met a few other people as I was making my way towards Middle Lake.  I gave notice to them of my sighting of fresh bear tracks down by the river and the campground.  Middle Lake is fully thawed. I walked around the majority of it before continuing along.

Instead of following the road back to the Visitor Centre, I did a little cross country through a meadow to intersect with the paved path that winds through the forest leading back to the parking lot.  

back on the paved path with only a couple of kilometres left to go

one last view back

I enjoyed this place in all the three seasons I have seen it.  When summer comes and the wildflowers are alive, it will be time to come back. Then I will be able to say I hiked here in all four seasons.