Prairie Mountain Loop May 12, 2021

If I aim for Prairie Mountain early morning on a mid-week day at this time of year, then the mud and ice further up on the steep ascent sections should still be frozen plus ownership should be at a very high percentage!  That was my thinking which turned out being right on the mark. Instead of returning the way I came, I opted for the Loop route to avoid what would become a sloppy slushy steep descent back down while facing many people on their on way up.  

The lower section of the trail was free of snow and mud.      

By the time I reached the second steep section, sporting my spikes was a necessity and I left them on all the way to the summit.  An abundance of snow remains in the open spaces.  No one had veered off trail in either direction.  A large long cornice runs along the edge.

As I reached the summit a gentleman was packing up his gear to hit the trail back.  I owned the summit of Prairie Mountain!  It was a beautiful early morning up here with just enough of a breeze to make the flag wave.  The sun was high and bright with a bit of white wispiness in the sky.

I think this big solid snowman will be around for some time to come.  

After capturing many photos from the summit, savouring my snack and some sips, it was then time to begin the hike off the summit down the backside towards the west ridge.  The route was obvious thanks to the packed trail in the deep snow.  Before the summit went out of sight, I looked back to get one last photo of the flag and the snowman.

deep snow and a cornice frame the bottom of Moose Mountain

view of Moose Mountain

It was now time to head into the forest and follow the gentle downhill trail for about four kilometres until it intersects with Prairie Creek Trail.  Thank goodness others had been on prior days and created the packed trail in the deep snow.  I did some homework before hand to see that this had occurred, otherwise I would not have opted to do the Loop.

It was a quick trip descending through the forest and then I popped out into the meadow, crossed the meadow and picked up the Prairie Creek Trail.  I put my spikes away as this trail was snow and ice free.  It was not mud free though.  Horses had been and churned up the ground to create a muddy mess.

It is prime crocus season in the Foothills.

I did not plan for the jet stream to look like it was coming out of the crocus!

The jet stream went high over head and then continued on its way! It was time now for me to continue on my way.  There was still a bit of ground to cover but I knew the scenic parts were now past so I just kept my head down making my way through the mud.

It had been many years since I hiked the Prairie Mountain Loop.  

The way I attacked it today turned out being pretty perfect.   

For that I am thankful!  

 

Nose Hill Environmental Park May 11, 2021

It was a day to stay local, go early and go fast before the not so user friendly weather arrived! After my early morning FaceTime Session, I then packed up and headed up to The Hill.  I had a route in mind that I knew would cover ten kilometres with some pretty sights the entire time.  A thought that came to mind while I was up here was that we are big sky country just like Montana.  That is, if you want it to be that way, you can also head into the trees and see birds and buds and shadows.

focus on scenery

I was afforded the opportunity to focus on birds: two Savannah Sparrows & a White-Crowned Sparrow.

Crocuses continue to thrive well into spring!

 

Kruger Park Virtual Challenge Progress May 7, 2021

With the forecast being not so user friendly I decided to face Friday getting caught up in being up close and personal with Mother Nature rather than going for grand far off views.  I could still actually cover a good distance at Glenbow Ranch to tack on to my Virtual Kruger Park Challenge. While virtually walking the road in South Africa, I actually hiked numerous trails at The Ranch where the crocuses are prime now and the birds were plentiful. The Savannah Sparrow, the Red-Winged Blackbird and the Tree Swallows all allowed me within a close range.  Three hours after I hit the trail, I was back at my car ready to head home.    

When I arrived home, my Alps to Ocean Virtual Challenge medal was waiting for me in my mailbox.  

It has felt like a slow go with progress on the Kruger Park Challenge.  To end of day today, this is where I stand.  After seeing my progress chart and the motivational comment, the reality of it all is I am far ahead of my goal.  The slow go feel could be because there are no virtual views other than roadside scenery.  

The chart above says I am 42% of the way along.  I planted a tree when I reached 40% of the way.  I am still far ahead of my pacer who is following me on this long stretch of road for as far as the eye can see.  Others who have taken on this challenge are also commenting about the lack of scenery.

It's time to take a break from the road and head off trail to see what I can see!

Two more postcards popped out of my mailbox to share with you.  

A notice came from The Conqueror announcing there will be new virtual challenges added every few weeks throughout this year.  I am already wondering what they will be.  I should not though, I need to stay focused and move on down the Kruger Park road!  

Beaver Ponds to Timber Harvesting May 5, 2021

I wanted distance but I wanted easy distance with scenery, away from the city, where it was quiet, where I could hear the birds chirp and where the breeze could drift in one ear and blow the mess of stress out the other ear!  I was first at the gate this morning with many more following much later most of who buzzed along on those e-bikes.  What a gorgeous start to my day!

The Beaver Ponds are just ahead of the gate and to the left.   I have been a few times but this morning was the most beautiful of all with the calmness in the air and some of those fluffy puffy white clouds in the sky.   The reflections were perfect.

This is a Solitary Sandpiper.  That's what my bird book tells me due to the shorter green legs, white eye ring, spotted back, white lore along with a few other distinct markings. While focusing to capture this shot something caught the corner of my eye and when I looked I missed photographing a blue heron flying away. 

It was early enough that a few dew drops still remained.

After meandering through the Beaver Ponds then checking out the campground close by, it was time to get on the road again.  I spread my time between the road and the trail to the left of the rail as I ventured along Route 66. 

The higher up the road I hiked, the more snow there was.  

That mess between my ears is long gone!  I love days like this!

My intentions were to check out a Mustang Hill or two.  They sit behind these trees yet I would enter the forest further along where the Timber Harvesting pull out is. I was already beginning to think, I may not get far in the forest.

When I reached Timber Harvesting I took some time to enjoy the view and snap a shot or two.  My stomach was growling so I answered that calling with a boiled egg, a peanut butter sandwich and a granola bar for desert.  

that's Banded Peak

I hit the trail that lead off Route 66 into the forest and reached where it intersected with a main trail to head up to Mustang Hills.  Nope not doing this!  That's what I voiced out loud to myself.  There was too much snow still.  I did an about turn and made my way back to Route 66.

By now there was a solo gentleman at Timber Harvesting.  He turned and came my way, we exchanged pleasantries and confirmed we were both ready to head back so we socially distanced hiked and talked the entire way back.  This road will open at 8:00am on May 15th and soon after that I will motor down Route 66.  

nature nurture & moody mornings

Dale Hodges Park

I love the mornings whether they are moody are not!  The earlier the better!  My sister is liking them too!  We walked in a mix of sun, sprinkles, sleet but thankfully no snow.  She had not been to Dale Hodges Park and I had only been twice.  It was all new to her and we discovered some sections that were new to me.  The bird population is increasing.  The Solitary Sandpiper tried to blend in but it could not deceive us.  The number of Red-Winged Blackbirds was high and they all had something to say.  I am getting to know some of the bird names but I was not able to impress my sister when it came to identifying the Common Goldeneye, I knew it was that but the name escaped me.  We were on a mission to cover 10kms yet called it a morning at 9.4kms. 

Nose Creek

Oooh these moody mornings!  Before heading down along Nose Creek, I checked out the Birth Forest as I was curious to what the larch trees might look like these days.  Larch Trees get no respect other than for two to three weeks in September.  The local larches are looking lovely turning a pretty bright green.  I think I will maintain a larch lookout and monitor how these Syberian ones progress throughout spring and summer into autumn.  I saw numerous pairs of mallard ducks.  They were all pairs of dudes, not sure what that was all about and I wondered where their lady friends were.  Of course the Red-Winged Blackbirds were sharply spouting off as they do.  How about this, and this is according to my bird book - the song that the White-Crowned Sparrow sings goes like this  "I-I-I-got-to-go-wee-wee-now!"  While I was not on a crocus hunt, they were more beautiful than ever and there were even more of them.  I just passed most of them by this time.     

Barrier Lake Fire Lookout May 3, 2021

It's a weekday again which means it's time for me to head west!  After doing a little trail conditions homework for getting up to the Barrier Lake Fire Lookout on Yates Mountain, that then became my destination for today. Forecasts said too that it would be a pleasant stroll across the dam and it sure was.  Barrier Lake is mostly free of ice with the odd slice floating about and also some still close to the shore. Baldy looked beautiful across the way. 

The lower trail was dry without snow or ice but a bit further up a small amount of snow remained on the trees and off trail.  Even further up the trail then became snow and ice covered with sections of firm mud on the way up reverting to sloppy mud on the way down after the temperature went up.  

What a sweet surprise to see this Red-Breasted Nuthatch!

I arrived at the first viewpoint spending only a minute to capture this photograph.

looking west towards the ridge 

As I neared the Lookout location, I met a man already on his way back down.  There was no one else here except for the Lookout Lad who was going about his business.  When the Barrier Lake Fire Lookout is open for business, we can only go as far as the picnic table and the helicopter pad.  This is my destination shot and also where I settled for some snacks,  while enjoying the sights and breathing in the magnificent fresh mountain air.  

The snowpack is low this year.  

When a trio approached for their destination visit, it was time for me to pack up and begin descending.  This is looking towards Yamnuska and the neighbouring peaks west from there.  Yamnuska will be closed the middle of May for trail reconstruction to make it a safer experience.

After a few minutes of admiration of the view, I headed into the forest aiming down towards the higher viewpoint and then the lower one then to the switchbacks for the winding hike down to Barrier Lake and the dam.  It was still pleasant enough to just stroll across the dam back to my car.   

While driving home, I thought about a few things.  I thought about how thankful I am I get to hike on a weekday during these crazy times in our world.  I thought about the Lookout Lad and he is just a lad.  He arrived four days ago and he realizes what he will be in for this summer with hundreds of visitors every day to his surroundings all hours of the day.  I wondered what this summer will be like in Kananaskis with the new "conservation fee" of $15.00/day or $90.00/year coming into effect June 1st.  Last summer so many more people learned that "life begins at Highway 40".  I only hope for the best for this piece of paradise called Kananaskis!