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.