74. Troll Falls

Distance: short
Elevation: a little

We often go to Quaite Valley for Thanksgiving to eat a family dinner but this year was too cold and snowy so we decided to do just a hike and chose a beginner one close to Calgary beginning at Ribbon Creek.
On Saturday, October 6, a beautiful, wintry day, we set out with sleds for the downhills and gloves for throwing snowballs.

We stopped frequently to enjoy, chat and wait for Marc to catch up - he did not enjoy being the slowest.

The falls were beautiful, a perfect destination.

Now for the group shot.

What a mixed-up season with green leaves and snow, two or three cold, snowy weeks in October followed by another two or three weeks of nice fall weather.

73. Whaleback, Beaver Dam Ridge

Distance: 4 hours ridge climbing and rambling
Elevation: 300 m

In the midst of a few weeks of rain, we found a sunny, warm Tuesday on September 25, put aside other engagements and hiked in the Whaleback again - this time on another ridge and in another season. Lisa joined us.
We started off in the same spot fording a little creek.

For the whole hike we were treated to wide vistas and beautiful colours of trees and plants.

Lamentably, the landscape was dotted with dead limber pines - from a virus imported from Europe, as our guide had explained last spring.

In the spring, the hills had been yellow with balsam root flowers. Now, I was reminded of their beauty as I saw the dead leaves all over landscape.

Lunch was on the first summit with a selfie picture on my phone because Herm had forgotten his camera.

The dead pine contrasted with the super healthy and abundant Douglas fir.

The views from the ridge filled us beyond words.

Every view was similar but different.

When we were near the final summit a snow-capped mountain appeared in the distant horizon.
Which one?

We never tired of the views from the ridge but it was time to come down.

At the creek again,well before us, Herm stopped to study the narrow leafed poplar in detail at his leisure.

72. Mt. Lady Macdonald

Distance: 6.6 km
Elevation gain: 917 m

Thursday, September 6, the smoke had thinned significantly, forecast was 28* and sunny so we eagerly set out for Lady Mac, expecting a steep climb and ready to take our time.
We could see the profile from below so we had an idea what to expect.

The heli-pad, our destination, was near the end of where the shoulder meets the sharper rise to the summit.
The views were beautiful the whole way up and various mountains clearly identifiable.
Grotto Mountain (not done)

Three Sisters, not done yet, and Ha Ling peak on the right.

The trail up was easy to follow until we got to the rocks and then we had to pick our own way.

Thankfully, we reached the heli-pad soon after.

One o'clock, time for lunch. Our time to climb was only 15 minutes longer than the book suggested for strong climbers so we were very pleased with our strength.

From here we had a good view of Canmore, the road up to Goat Creek and Mt. Rundle.

We also had a good view of the trail up to the summit but had already decided not to do it even though various others were.

This picture didn't show the steepness.
We turned around and took the trail down.

We followed the beaten trail through the rocks this time so it was much easier.

It was a beautiful hike, we saw 2 deer and listened to various birds and many crows along the way. We were satisfied not to have reached the peak, especially for the next few days when my thighs screamed as I tried to go down stairs.

71. Pickle Jar Lakes

Distance: 9 km
Elevation gain: 442 m

Tuesday, July 31, we got up early and drove to a day use area near the trailhead. There, in the sunshine, beside a creek we had a leisurely breakfast and start to the day. It was much warmer than in our wooded campsite. We had done this hike before but needed to refresh our memories. Since fishing was now catch and release and since I had given up fishing from my bucket list, we just hiked up for a look.
The flowers on the slopes were perfect, especially the fleabane.

Much of the climbing trail was on the side of open slopes.

We remembered an extremely steep section but now found that switchbacks replaced it. Still steep, but they brought us to the first lake where several people were fishing.

A short distance further was the second lake.

Then we continued to the third lake.

We had to walk around it along the scree and through clouds of fleas to get to the fourth lake.

Here we ate our lunch and took the picture.

70. Mist Ridge

Distance: about 16 km (walk on ridge)
Elevation gain: about 800 km

Monday, July 30, we set out for Mist Ridge, anticipating the pleasures of a new hike. There were only 3 others on the trail, a welcome peace from Sunday.
We started out on an easy walk through alders.

After a few kilometers the trail opened up and we could see our switchbacks up ahead.

This trail had lots of open slope, a favourite feature of mine.

One of the many flowers along the trail was the umbrella plant, in it's prime.

Finally our first view of the ridge in the distance. Soon we were up on top.

Mist Mountain could be seen across the valley. It was quite distinctive with its rows of corrugated rock.

After a beautiful hike along the crest of the ridge we returned to the cairn at the south summit for our photo.

Since it was a hot day, being on top of the ridge was the perfect setting.
We decided to go back the way we had come and see the sights again. This time a baby grouse surprised us along the trail. We watched as it made its way back to mom. There is always something different to see. Great hike!

69. Hidden Lake

Distance: 8km return?
Elevation gain: negligible

July 29, Sunday afternoon we went to Kananaskis to camp and enjoy 3 hikes.
We hoped to go to Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge late Sunday afternoon but alas bears had taken over the area and we were forbidden entrance.
We continued around Upper Kananaskis Lake a few more kilometres and went to Hidden Lake, our default plan.
A few kilometres from the trail head, was a lovely falls, great place for a snack and break from the many hikers.

The bear tape seemed to be serious so we continued on.

The views around the lake were clear and beautiful, much better that the previous year. We looked at Mt Indefatigible, reminisced about a past hike and rued the fact that it was also closed due to bears.

We found our turnoff to Hidden Lake and Herm suggested we swim since it was a warm day.

Hidden Lake hike was a good default choice and an easy start for our 3-day trip.

68. Cox Hill

Distance: 13 km return
Elevation gain: 872 m

Wednesday, June 27, we looked for something simple and close to Calgary and remembered Cox Hill. It would be a good place to start our season, - Sibbald Flats, tied to Jumping Pound Ridge which we had enjoyed some years ago.
Cox Hill is a fairly strenuous climb leading to a superlative viewpoint. It must have suffered from the flood in 2013 because we started off on a lovely new bridge over a white water creek.

 The climb was mostly through forest with lots of alder undergrowth but every now and then we got a view.

Eventually the undergrowth cleared, the trail leveled and walking was easier.

We did not see much wildlife but this red squirrel posed nicely.

Thankfully we soon came to the grassy knoll with a wonderful view and Calgary in the distance - a welcome  spot to sit and snack.

We  continued on up more steep slope to finally break out on top to a wonderful mountain view.

It was very windy so we ate out lunch in the shelter on the coxcomb.

A large variety of flowers claimed our interest and efforts at name recalling all the way up the hill. This scorpion weed graced our lunch spot.

As semi proof that Herm and I both made it to the top, we posed beside the coxcomb.

From here we could look down and see the trail continue to Jumping Pound Ridge and mountain - good memories from a past year.

On the way down, we followed a spur to the lower peak and cairn.

June 27, only a little snow left on the trail. We were so thankful to be finished a long, snowy winter that we didn't touch or walk through this patch.