104. Stanley Glacier

 Distance: 11.2km return for the easy part, 1.5 km continuing up the valley in a loop past              the end of the maintained trail.

Elevation Gain 484m to trail end and then start climbing

On August 7, 2023 we did this hike with Rachel, Luke and family. The trail was clear, through forest which had been burnt 20 years ago so we could see mountain views all along.

 Slight haze and cloud kept the day comfortably warm. A little wild life added to the interest, grouse, picas and black backed woodpeckers. This was our first time to see the woodpeckers.

We stopped periodically and rested on some of the numerous fallen logs.

Near the end of the maintained trail we stopped for lunch and discussed whether to do the loop ahead or not. Rachel and family decided to go on to Invermere to their BandB and we decided to brave the scree and ascent and explore further.

 

The trail went up steeply and on a hotter day, the waterfalls  would have been very welcoming. The caves were just shallow.

At the end of the valley, after careful climbing and glacial stream crossing we got our best view of Stanley Glacier with its arms reaching around various mountain peaks and feeding water falls all around.

103. Horse Lake

 In September 2022, Herm and I went on another hike with Alberta Wilderness Association. This time we looked for Horse Lake in the Waiprous foothills region.

Apparently there are many wild horses in the area and they are harmful to the environment.

We saw horse manure, but no horses.

Our knowledgeable guide also explained the damage that dirt bikes do to the terrain and we did see this as they raced up sand dunes, got stuck and tried again.

It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon with lots of good conversation as we moseyed through the aspen forest to the lake.

102. Wainwright

 In June, 2022, Herm and I joined Alberta Wilderness Association for a guided hike in the sand dunes of Wainwright, in eastern Alberta.

We drove up on Friday, explored the village, and joined the group on Saturday for a 14 kilometre hike through grasslands and sand dunes. The guide was very knowledgeable about all the birds, butterflies (many yellow swallowtails) and vegetation.

The first little adventure was walking over a long beaver dam, not dangerous but risky for wet feet.

 

 

The only elevation was climbing the sand dunes.

We ate out lunch on top admiring the view and enjoying the heat.

 

 

After a great hike and good social interaction we drove to a nearby town for supper. As we pulled in to the parking lot, Herm verified that he had a serious flat tire. He put on the spare and we spent the night in Wainwright till a very kind mechanic at Okay Tire helped us get new ones on Sunday morning. It was a good experience all around as this way we had a leisurely drive home and explored more of this great province.

101. Eagle Hill, Deer Ridge

 Distance: 14 km return

Elevation gain: 450 m

On Saturday, November 13, we hiked up Eagle Hill, leaving from Sibbald Lake parking lot. It was a cool windy day but fine for walking fast. The trail was excellent with some sunshine and views through the trees since the leaves were all off the poplars.

Early on we caught a view of Eagle Hill up ahead.

A few hills and gradual uphill brought us to a picnic table for lunch. This is a migration route for bald eagles earlier in the fall.

The views from the top are great to the south and west, including Moose Mtn and the mountains around Canmore.

Deer Ridge

Distance: 6 km

Elevation gain: 273 m

On Sunday, November 21, we hiked Deer Ridge trail with Elise, Fred, Marc and Allie. It seemed steeper than Eagle Hill but must have been more concentrated. Some sections were snowy and icy and required more careful attention but it was mostly good walking.

Hiking with children brings more stops and snacks.

A small jaunt out to a lookout in full force wind.

From this viewpoint we could look down into the valley below and imagine skating on the winding frozen creek. Will we do it?

Another snack stop in the snow to cause envy in our family vacationing in Panama.

As we descended a cut line on our way back, Herm gave me some stability on the slippery sections and Elise noticed how lovely we looked in our matching winter wear.

These are great hikes, close to Calgary and not difficult so I imagine we will do them again with various other friends.

100. Quaite Valley

 Distance: 13 km

Elevation: minor

On October 9, a beautiful windy, sunny Saturday, Herm and I set out to celebrate my 100th hike and the completion of my goal. Any hikes after this may be repeats and added as a), b) etc or if new they will be epilogue. This would be a 2 day hike.

We parked at Lac des Arcs  parking lot and headed off to explore Heart Creek Canyon Trail on the way to Quaite.

It started beneath Heart Mountain which we had climbed a few years previous.

Heart Creek Trail had been very damaged in the 2013 flood and was well restored with an easy trail, many bridges and interpretive signage.

The trail is only a few kilometres and we soon came to the impressive end.

We descended back to the trail paralleling the highway to continue on to the Quaite Valley Trail. It was beautiful walking through mostly bare trees on a dirt trail. Many trees had fallen over, some still on the trail, indicating strong winds in the past.

A large pond beside the trail varied the environment.

When we got to the Quaite Valley trail, we were pleasantly surprised to see how well it had been repaired after the flood. We hiked up to the campground where we traditionally eat our Thanksgiving Dinner. It was warm and sunny and we sat alone around the firepit and ate our lunch as we reminisced about all the Thanksgivings we had come here.

 Herm thoughtfully prepared some kindling wood and stored it in the bear bins to keep it dry for the next day.

Then we took a little snooze in the sun on the slope in front of the firepit.

Eventually we went back to the car and hoped for another lovely day on Sunday with the family.

Sunday morning we left Calgary at 10:30, knowing the sunny morning would become cold and wet later in the day.

It

It was bright and comfortable when we arrived. We started a fire and started frying tater tots and bacon wrapped dates. The kids played in the bear bins as they always do although Zeke wanted to watch rather than be stuffed in one and Naylis didn't want to get back in for the picture..

Then the wind started, it got colder, a few rain drops and then snow. We had time to eat a bit but then threw stuff into our bags and hurried back down the trail and out of the wind.

We set the food out again after we got home and finished with a yummy dessert and games afternoon.

We were glad we had gone out even though the event was cut short. We hope for another try next year.

99. Jasper - Edith Cavell, Valley of Five Lakes, Maligne Canyon

 Distance: 6 km

Elevation gain: 684 m

On September 22, we went to Jasper for a holiday, hotel and visit with Nate, Erin, Zeke and Kai. Thursday, we hiked Edith Cavell to see Angel Glacier and determine if it had shrunk over the last 40 years or so.

The hike is beautiful from the parking lot and the whole way. Soon there is a dramatic view of the glacier and pond below it.

Views of the snow falling down the mountain were close beside us.

Herm took many pictures of the glacier trying to get a similar one to what he had taken all those years ago.

Lunch time and rest time for Nate and Erin and their heavy loads.

On the way up we connected with two ladies from Panama who very enthusiastically gave Nate and Erin much valuable information about their upcoming trip to Panama. Alexandra and Gabbie are posing with us at our lunch spot.

The highest viewpoint extended up behind us but we thought this view was enough and headed down.

At a lower viewpoint, Zeke finally had a chance to stretch his legs and smile at the other tourists.

He even walked by himself for a while. Not bad at 18 months.

What will he remember?

Valley of Five Lakes

The next morning we hiked around the Valley of Five Lakes together. It is about 8 km and up and down a few hills, beautiful hike with good trails for the most part. The biggest treat was seeing a ruffed grouse display and fly out in front of us.

Maligne Canyon

We hiked the beautiful Maligne Canyon on Wednesday before Nate and Erin joined us. By going all the way to the sixth bridge we walked about 7 km.

 

I was surprised by how many people were hiking the trails still near the end of September. The trees were in full golden colour and the holiday was inspirational for beauty.

98. Moose Loop West Bragg Creek. Braggin' Rights

 Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: up and down some hills

September 12, a rainy Sunday afternoon, Rachel invited us to hike Moose Loop with her and the boys.  Although we don't usually hike in the rain, we eagerly went with them. 

We often ski this trail but today we were hoping to see moose. This is the best we got.

We snacked at the same table as in the winter along a very familiar trail.

A gentle, easy walk even in the rain.

Braggin' Rights

January 17, 2022, after some very cold weather we had lots of warm days and the snow was too icy to ski well so we hiked some of the bike trails on the north side of the parking lot.

We wore ice grippers and walked very comfortably along the trails up and down and around for about 12 km and I imagined the fun bikers would have on these trails.

In December, there had been a very strong wind which knocked down very many trees through the park. The volunteers spent many hours with chain saws clearing the trails.

Lots of good hiking to do in West Bragg Creek.