8. Pocaterra Ridge Trail, B) family hike

Distance:9k to Highwood Pass parking lot
               7k back down the highway by bike
Elevation: 1036m

On Saturday, September 24, Herm and I hiked Pocaterra Ridge to experience the yellow tamaracks on a quiet trail. Knowing there were grizzlies in the area and being extremely grateful for the opportunity to hike in such perfect weather, we began the morning with prayer.
We set out from the north end of the ridge and had a good view of where we were going.

After an hour climbing through  trees we stepped onto an open ridge which felt like heaven on earth. On the west side we could follow the course of a creek which was an alternate return route

and on the east we could see Hwy 40 which reminded us we were still on earth.

Hurray for Peak 1, 3 more to go.

 We descended into a col before peak 2, into the trees again but such beautiful tamaracks in such a secluded area encouraged us to slow our pace and Herm to take many pictures.

 I wasn't sure how close up I wanted to be to a bear but this scat felt safe since it wasn't steaming any more.

 One memorable aspect of this hike was the wind, not too cold but so strong we had to fight for balance on the ridge and even got down at one point to avoid some of the stones it was throwing at us. Fortunately this was not constant.

 Peak No.2

 The trail to 3 was easy but to 4 was the most difficult and we were thankful for good hiking conditions.

 We made it.

 From here we had a complete view of the tamarack-filled cirque below. 

After a great hike, we looked forward to riding our bikes down the road to the truck. It had long been a dream to ride down the pass and now I could.

 As if the day wasn`t perfect enough, after a few kilometres Herm spied a bear cub running across the road. We stopped and there were a grizzly mom and two cubs slowly running away in the ditch. 

 My dear husband let me continue riding my bike down the pass for many more kilometres. Some day I will ride (coast) from Highwood Pass to the TransCanada.

July 15, 2020, one day during a family camping trip, we hiked Pocaterra from the south end. I had totally forgotten how rugged it was and was a little fearful for the children but all went well. Esther wanted an adventure for the girls and they got it, including a few scratches as evidence.

Highlights were 4 rams on a rock close above us, eating candy along the way (the girls saved it in a bag to eat exactly at the right time) and walking without complaining to earn an ice cream treat at the end.

Excellent hikers, everyone, especially Nathan carrying baby Zeke so carefully the whole way.
 

 Lunchtime. A helpful hiker we had met earlier, backtracked and warned us there was an electrical storm in the forecast. She was going back down. We looked around and ignored her as did everyone else. We had beautiful weather until the parking lot. It rained on our drive to the ice cream shop.

7. Jumping Pound Ridge

Distance: 12.5k
Elevation Gain: 610m


On Labour Day, Herm and I celebrated our love with a wonderful hike together. We had never done this one before and looked forward to new discoveries. We decided to leave the truck at the south end, bike to the north end and hike back to the truck.

The biking section was exhilerating - after the couple kilometre climb to the pass. Since I'm scared on washboard gravel, I rode the brakes all the way down. I had been experiencing some stress about work, retirement, who I wanted to be in my sixties etc...but this open air, free, endless road in front of me began a very healing day in the mountains.

We tied our bikes out of the way and started an easy uphill climb.

The forest floor was curiously dead and barren.

Although we had enough water with us, I can never resist a freshly fallen snow cone.

 Once out of the trees the views were stupendous and continuous.

 We reached the summit

 and snoozed in the sunshine.

It was an easy walk down to the truck - a great relaxing hike.

So relaxing that we didn't get overly upset at the stop and go traffic all the way from Sibbald Flats to Calgary. We did, however, resolve not to drive the TransCanada on Labour Day again if at all possible.

6. Wasootch Ridge

Distance: 6.5k to summit
Elevation gain: 890m

 August 14, we hiked along Wasootch Ridge with Philip.

 


 Once we got up above the trees, the views were wonderful.

It was too late for great wildflowers but Herm was impressed with the limber pine which he learned is on the endangered species list.










We were also greatly entertained by myriads of dragonflies during our siesta in the sun.

Because we had a time crunch, we couldn't finish the hike this time, but included a picture of the summit in the distance.

 The many dead, old and gnarled trees on the ridge appealed to Herm's artistic side. One was a frame for a photo of his lovely wife 

 and another was an inspiration for her birthday card.

"Age brings its own
character and beauty.

May you have many 
more years of joy and
      delight."


                  with love from Herm

.

5. Allstones Lake

Distance:12.9k return
Elevation gain: 450m (but it felt like much more)

On July 30, 2011 the whole family was together at a Stolte Reunion in David Thompson Resort. We decided to do a real hike together. We carried Evalyn but Rachel and Luke chose a shorter hike – Crescent Falls.               

    Allstones Lake hike goes up a ridge overlooking beautiful blue Lake Abraham on Highway 11.

 Nathan and Dave took turns carrying Evalyn with Esther taking the last turn. 

  The trail was significantly longer and steeper than the book led us to believe but eventually we arrived at Allstones Lake – a small quiet lake in the mountains. We always put at least our feet in the water.                                                      

 Evalyn was an angel for the whole hike.

 Herm had fun taking pictures of flowers and butterflies. The flowers were beautiful but nothing outstanding whereas he was making friends with this blue who landed on his knee.

 This hike was so beautiful that we are inspired to do more hiking in David Thompson country.

4. Mt. Bourgeau

Distance: 24k return
Elevation gain: 1500m

Friday, August 5^th, Herm and I hiked up Mt. Bourgeau. It is  probably the most difficult hike we will do. I assumed we were in top condition at that time since every year we will be older so we decided to do it now. We camped overnight at Two Jack Lake so we could get an early start. We hiked from 9:00 till 7:30 – I was tired at the end but fine the next day.

The beginning until Lake Bourgeau was in the trees except for a few beautiful views. This step waterfall coming down from the lake was marvellous.
  

                                                                                                                             


Herm posed for a shot at the lake where we ate our lunch.

                                           








We continued the hike, climbed steeply and then looked down on    beautiful Lake Bourgeau. The colour was much bluer from above.    

                                                     

   
    The hike got steeper and the flowers got more beautiful. The winner this time was the gentian – bigger and brighter and more abundant than we have ever seen.

Many hikers stop at Harvey Pass because they think it is already so beautiful and getting late but we decided to continue even though we heard a thunder clap and could see rain down the valley. I needed to reach the top to count this as one of my hikes.

From Harvey Pass we had a good idea of the route to the top. Pictures never show the elevation gain realistically but one step after another got us there.

 

These brave yellow Alpine potentilla  covered the mountain slope and encouraged me to keep going.

From the top we could see other mountain peaks in all directions. It was windy but intermittently and not very cold. Actually warm enough for some sunbathing.We only felt a couple drops of rain.

Because I felt I would never do this hike again, I consciously enjoyed it, let the grandeur sink in and said good-bye. I had just finished reading "Tuesdays with Morrie", about saying goodbye and tried to practise what he taught.

3. Ptarmigan Cirque (a), (b)

Distance: 4.5 k return
Elevation gain: 225 m

On July 9, 2011, we hiked up Ptarmigan Cirque which begins at Highwood Pass in Kananaskis. Emmy and Arny Meetsma and Philip, a Korean homestay student, went with Herm and me.

 

 
It was still early for flowers since the spring was so late and so the most spectacular was the glacier lily.Whole meadows were covered with the flowers.

 

There were patches of snow all along the hike. At one point I suggested to Philip that he try skiing. He truly enjoyed              " playing ski" in July.

This view with the water running through will always be Ptarmigan Cirque for me. It looks extra barren and cold today because it was. The rocks were very gray, the greens weren’t very green yet. 

 We looked for a spot out of the wind to eat lunch.

Bouquets of western anemone greeted us and said good-bye.

Ptarmigan Cirque B

July 29, 2015 I hiked here again with Rachel, Naylis, Skyler, Allie and Lisa Monroe. The lilies and anemones were gone, replaced by fireweed, fleabane, etc and many gophers as well as a marmot.

The kids walked very well receiving a variety of twizzler at every third Trail Stop marker to encourage them.
It was a dark, cloudy, cool day again with very few moments of sunshine, but we all hiked on up the scree to the snow over the lip of the first ridge.

Skyler started making a staircase but we got too cold to finish so we went down to find a sheltered spot for lunch. I believe we chose the same rock as the previous time. Skyler had fun trying to approach a whistling marmot and actually got pretty close.

Pose for a picture.

 Beautiful views and hike in spite of the weather.