61. Whaleback

Distance: about 8 - 10 km
Elevation gain: 300m

On Friday, June 9, Margaret set off with Herm and me to explore the wild flowers of the Whaleback region. After 1 1/2 hours drive south on Hwy 22 we found a pull off and started walking in this gentle, green, rolling landscape. We immediately found a great variety of flowers along the disturbed trail and so eagerly continued.
The 3 flowered avens was perhaps the most common along the trail.

The wind flower or cut leaved anemone was one of the best because it was a first time seen. It wasn't 100% open.

The biggest thrill was a large, surprising splash of yellow on a hillside ahead of us. Just in case we wouldn't see it again, we detoured to discover balsam root. We saw loads of it again on top of the ridge and I found out we had actually seen it 20 years ago in Waterton.

I had taken my book and was able to discover and verify many names;

like crested beardtongue,

blue beardtongue,

shining arnica,  (rather than more alpine heart-leaved arnica)

Parry's townsendia, another first

blue camas, a wonderful first

and a field full of prairie onions, not quite in full bloom.

 Unfortunately, my book was not complete and there were a few unknowns.

From the road, we followed a track to Black Mountain, more like a ridge,

 we went through a gap and looked at the Whaleback ridge.

We crossed the valley and climbed most of the way up the ridge - the terrain was steep with uneven footing.

But we made it since we're not yet as decrepit as these weathered limber pines.

We posed for the requisite picture.

And headed back for the gap in the Black mountain following a circular route to discover more flower varieties.

The hike exceeded expectations for a wildflower adventure both in variety and number. We are inspired to go again, reach the top, go farther and see the flowers at a slightly different season.
Stay tuned.

60. Sulphur Springs

Distance: 11 km
Elevation gain: 250 m

May 21, 2017 we were ready to start out on number 60 hike, the final one in my goal. We chose one without snow, close to Calgary (we left after church) and not difficult as it was everyone's first hike for the season and there were several children. Sunday of the long weekend, we figured this lesser known one would be less busy and it proved to be a good choice.

We started at the parking lot for Ing's Mine, all 23 of us, (members of our multicultural small group, other Korean church friends and Lisa), hopped across a creek, and trudged up a long hill in the hot sun. We soon strung out.

At the top we rested and took some group pictures.

One of the creeks we crossed held the only remaining sign of winter, lots of ice.

Farther along, we stopped to admire a spruce grouse, parading nearby along the trail. Paul warned us it was a fierce bird but we didn't believe him until it started pecking at Stanley's leg. We quickly moved on since he was obviously protecting something.

We also saw various groupings of deer during the hike.

There was a lovely variety of wildflowers for this time of year, including shooting stars, calypso orchids and these bright forget-me-nots.

The lovely view across the valley energized us on our final descent.

We finished around 6:30, hungry and tired. Herm backed the truck up to a grassy edge of the parking lot and we had a hot dog supper together. It was a community way to finish the 60 hikes but I am eager to continue the search for variety and proceed to 70.