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.
