39. Burstall Pass

Distance: 16 km return
Elevation gain: 472 m

Monday, August 4, a nice morning but thunderstorms forecast for later in the day so we decided to hike Burstall Pass instead of Tent Ridge for safety sake. Harry and Tena were in agreement with this plan.

The trail starts up an old road, wide enough for comfortable group conversation.

After a few kilometres of this, we reached the alluvial flats, glacier melt. It was a fun challenge to pick our way through the most shallow streams and then use our poles to help us vault over.

On the return, after the rain, the water was higher (or we couldn't find the better trail) and we landed in the streams many times. Fortunately, it was a nice day and our feet didn't get cold just prune-like.

After the water, we climbed and climbed through trees to this valley, a beautiful,open level area for lunch.

Many mountain peaks could be seen and admired from our lunch on the rocks.

 The next barren section makes me think of moon landscape and was very startling the first time I hiked this trail.

We continued on up to the pass and explored for a bit but soon the clouds and thunder encouraged us to start back down.

It did rain, we put on our ponchos and continued walking and enjoying all the variety the trail offered.

38. Forgetmenot Ridge, B)with Naylis and Skyler

Distance: 14 km return to high point
Elevation gain: 740 m

It was a very windy day in Calgary, July 25, not the best choice for a ridge walk but we decided to go with our plans. We had done this hike before and wanted to repeat it with a variation for this blog. We were also curious to see what changes the flood had made to the trail.

We had to cross the Elbow to begin the trail but we were prepared this time with water sandals and enjoyed the experience.

The trail has some steep sections in shale.

From the top we could see the wide muddy river bed resulting from the flood. Not really pretty.

When we got to the top, we could see the first peak on the north east end which we reached last time.

This time we wanted to walk along the ridge to the south and perhaps reach the highest peak. Our minimum goal was the rocky peak in this picture. It was easy walking on grass and flat rocks.

But it was not easy walking in the wind. I used the poncho for warmth because the wind was cold and I didn't have a windbreaker. Unfortunately, the wind won and we didn't reach a peak. We did lay down and rest behind some trees and out of the wind before our descent.

The descent was easy but still windy until we got into the trees again.

We (Herm) are starting to recognize other mountains in the area. Here we are looking at Nihahi Ridge (recently hiked) across the Elbow River. The blue lake in the middle is Forgetmenot Pond, miraculously untouched by the flood.

On the return, we forded the Elbow and the Little Elbow where the horses do in order to cut some uninteresting distance off. It was a little scary as we weren't sure of the depth but successful.

In this picture from across the pond, we can see where we hiked - up the left edge and then along the top.
Because we did not reach our goal, this hike must be repeated on a less windy day.

What a reward to have our choice of firepits out of the wind, beside the pond and finish the day in stillness and calm.

 

On August 13, 2020 or so, we hiked up the ridge to the north peak with Naylis and Skyler for Naylis' birthday. He has decided he likes hiking. They found it a bit tiring going up but definitely led the way going back down. Beautiful weather, great cold Elbow River to cross and delicious ice cream reward.

 

37. Chester Lake and beyond, B. Winter

Distance: 14 km return

Elevation gain: 550 m

On July 5, a nice day, we set off for an easy hike, good, wide trail, some other people hiking; a lovely day.

Not a spectacular beginning but just for a little ways.

The trail opened to small meadows periodically with beautiful views.

The meadow just before Chester Lake was yellow with glacier lilies. As expected we saw evidence of grizzlies rooting for the bulbs. We went up and back behind the lake to extend the hike and experience more mountainous terrain.

Soon we came to the boulders where people like to imagine they see things. On the left is a lion's head and body and up in the middle is a praying person.

The first tarn still had lots of water as it was early in the season. Clouds were rolling in, the wind was blowing so we didn't linger but continued onward picking our way over the rocks in the general direction of the end of the canyon.

Probably the second tarn, but actually there were various tarns at this time of year.

The way to the third tarn was lined with moss campion according to the book. This was true and would be beautiful in a month or so.

This was our last tarn and unfortunately that little piece of blue sky was not above us as we ate our lunch. The weather quickly got warmer again as we descended.

In the Winter

January 22, 2022, we donned our ice grippers and hiked to Chester Lake in warm, sunny weather.

 

 

 

 We went past the lake to the elephant rocks again and found them covered with snow and blending more into the landscape but still dramatic. 

 

 

 

36. Nihahi Ridge

Distance:10 km return

Elevation gain: 753 m

June 30, Herm was eager to start hiking so he chose an "easy" one. Actually, by the time we got to the top, it wasn't really easy any more but his knee survived. This was our fourth time on the hike but a first for my "60" so here we go. 

From the parking lot, we could see our destination, the ridge, in the distance.

Finally out of the woods, and there it is, much closer.

Up on the ridge with the exciting part in front of us.

There weren't a lot of flowers but this rosy stonecrop was lovely on the scree slope.

Here's one of the fun parts. I hear, if I can get up, I can get down and I've done it before, so here goes.

A view of the Elbow and Little Elbow River valleys from the top of the ridge.

We sat up on top to eat our lunch but this is not a ridge we are comfortable walking on.

Yes, I got down.

The lower ridge looked very friendly and welcoming after the scramble. It even offered some friends, Speelman's, to walk down with. Herm's knees got him down so he chose another easy hike for the following week.

 

On June 13, 2015 I chose this hike to do with my lady friends. 

Grace, Emmy, Kate, and Lisa. It was cold and windy on the ridge so we decided this was far enough. Lisa and Emmy weren't comfortable with the condition of the scree slope ahead.

 

 

 

35. Prairie Creek

Distance: 13 km
Elevation gain: 280 m

Herm's knee was still bothering him so I tried this hike with my friends while he toured the Weaselhead.
We left right after church on Sunday morning on a beautiful, sunny day. Prairie Creek starts close to Prairie Mtn, on the other side of the creek. It is not steep, a leisurely Sunday afternoon walk.

Every time one of us needed a short break we would ask to "stop for a picture".

There were quite a few wild flowers, although they were not at their peak. This gorgeous blue colour of beard tongue really caught our attention. Much of the walk was beside Prairie Creek, muddy with run-off from a rainy week. One meadow was shining with vibrant, mineral rich, organic dandelions but alas, I was not allowed to pick in a provincial park.

 

Soon after, we found a comfortable log and enjoyed a late lunch or early supper.

We talked to some hikers who warned us of muddy trails and marshy areas but it had all been dry so far so we didn't hesitate.

 

Sue fell in the mud twice without complaining; she definitely earned a sportsmanship award. I tried to run on water and did manage to keep my feet dry. We were quite surprised and impressed to see the flooding at various points along the trail.

One treat was this grouse which accompanied us for a few minutes  patrolling the edge and hissing.

Understanding mother love, we quickly took a picture and moved on.

What a Sunday afternoon stroll, why were we tired with sore feet?

We used a connector link to return via Powderface trail and enjoyed walking along Powderface Creek.

Curiously, we came upon this ice floe. How had it survived this long?

Tired and muddy, we returned to Calgary, safe and willing to try another hike.