101. Eagle Hill, Deer Ridge

 Distance: 14 km return

Elevation gain: 450 m

On Saturday, November 13, we hiked up Eagle Hill, leaving from Sibbald Lake parking lot. It was a cool windy day but fine for walking fast. The trail was excellent with some sunshine and views through the trees since the leaves were all off the poplars.

Early on we caught a view of Eagle Hill up ahead.

A few hills and gradual uphill brought us to a picnic table for lunch. This is a migration route for bald eagles earlier in the fall.

The views from the top are great to the south and west, including Moose Mtn and the mountains around Canmore.

Deer Ridge

Distance: 6 km

Elevation gain: 273 m

On Sunday, November 21, we hiked Deer Ridge trail with Elise, Fred, Marc and Allie. It seemed steeper than Eagle Hill but must have been more concentrated. Some sections were snowy and icy and required more careful attention but it was mostly good walking.

Hiking with children brings more stops and snacks.

A small jaunt out to a lookout in full force wind.

From this viewpoint we could look down into the valley below and imagine skating on the winding frozen creek. Will we do it?

Another snack stop in the snow to cause envy in our family vacationing in Panama.

As we descended a cut line on our way back, Herm gave me some stability on the slippery sections and Elise noticed how lovely we looked in our matching winter wear.

These are great hikes, close to Calgary and not difficult so I imagine we will do them again with various other friends.

100. Quaite Valley

 Distance: 13 km

Elevation: minor

On October 9, a beautiful windy, sunny Saturday, Herm and I set out to celebrate my 100th hike and the completion of my goal. Any hikes after this may be repeats and added as a), b) etc or if new they will be epilogue. This would be a 2 day hike.

We parked at Lac des Arcs  parking lot and headed off to explore Heart Creek Canyon Trail on the way to Quaite.

It started beneath Heart Mountain which we had climbed a few years previous.

Heart Creek Trail had been very damaged in the 2013 flood and was well restored with an easy trail, many bridges and interpretive signage.

The trail is only a few kilometres and we soon came to the impressive end.

We descended back to the trail paralleling the highway to continue on to the Quaite Valley Trail. It was beautiful walking through mostly bare trees on a dirt trail. Many trees had fallen over, some still on the trail, indicating strong winds in the past.

A large pond beside the trail varied the environment.

When we got to the Quaite Valley trail, we were pleasantly surprised to see how well it had been repaired after the flood. We hiked up to the campground where we traditionally eat our Thanksgiving Dinner. It was warm and sunny and we sat alone around the firepit and ate our lunch as we reminisced about all the Thanksgivings we had come here.

 Herm thoughtfully prepared some kindling wood and stored it in the bear bins to keep it dry for the next day.

Then we took a little snooze in the sun on the slope in front of the firepit.

Eventually we went back to the car and hoped for another lovely day on Sunday with the family.

Sunday morning we left Calgary at 10:30, knowing the sunny morning would become cold and wet later in the day.

It

It was bright and comfortable when we arrived. We started a fire and started frying tater tots and bacon wrapped dates. The kids played in the bear bins as they always do although Zeke wanted to watch rather than be stuffed in one and Naylis didn't want to get back in for the picture..

Then the wind started, it got colder, a few rain drops and then snow. We had time to eat a bit but then threw stuff into our bags and hurried back down the trail and out of the wind.

We set the food out again after we got home and finished with a yummy dessert and games afternoon.

We were glad we had gone out even though the event was cut short. We hope for another try next year.

99. Jasper - Edith Cavell, Valley of Five Lakes, Maligne Canyon

 Distance: 6 km

Elevation gain: 684 m

On September 22, we went to Jasper for a holiday, hotel and visit with Nate, Erin, Zeke and Kai. Thursday, we hiked Edith Cavell to see Angel Glacier and determine if it had shrunk over the last 40 years or so.

The hike is beautiful from the parking lot and the whole way. Soon there is a dramatic view of the glacier and pond below it.

Views of the snow falling down the mountain were close beside us.

Herm took many pictures of the glacier trying to get a similar one to what he had taken all those years ago.

Lunch time and rest time for Nate and Erin and their heavy loads.

On the way up we connected with two ladies from Panama who very enthusiastically gave Nate and Erin much valuable information about their upcoming trip to Panama. Alexandra and Gabbie are posing with us at our lunch spot.

The highest viewpoint extended up behind us but we thought this view was enough and headed down.

At a lower viewpoint, Zeke finally had a chance to stretch his legs and smile at the other tourists.

He even walked by himself for a while. Not bad at 18 months.

What will he remember?

Valley of Five Lakes

The next morning we hiked around the Valley of Five Lakes together. It is about 8 km and up and down a few hills, beautiful hike with good trails for the most part. The biggest treat was seeing a ruffed grouse display and fly out in front of us.

Maligne Canyon

We hiked the beautiful Maligne Canyon on Wednesday before Nate and Erin joined us. By going all the way to the sixth bridge we walked about 7 km.

 

I was surprised by how many people were hiking the trails still near the end of September. The trees were in full golden colour and the holiday was inspirational for beauty.

98. Moose Loop West Bragg Creek. Braggin' Rights

 Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: up and down some hills

September 12, a rainy Sunday afternoon, Rachel invited us to hike Moose Loop with her and the boys.  Although we don't usually hike in the rain, we eagerly went with them. 

We often ski this trail but today we were hoping to see moose. This is the best we got.

We snacked at the same table as in the winter along a very familiar trail.

A gentle, easy walk even in the rain.

Braggin' Rights

January 17, 2022, after some very cold weather we had lots of warm days and the snow was too icy to ski well so we hiked some of the bike trails on the north side of the parking lot.

We wore ice grippers and walked very comfortably along the trails up and down and around for about 12 km and I imagined the fun bikers would have on these trails.

In December, there had been a very strong wind which knocked down very many trees through the park. The volunteers spent many hours with chain saws clearing the trails.

Lots of good hiking to do in West Bragg Creek.

 

 

97. Sarrail Ridge

 Distance; 11.3 km

Elevation gain: 300m to Rawson Lake, 355m more to Sarrail Ridge

On Wednesday, September 8, another beautiful day for hiking we decided to go to Rawson Lake since we had heard it was open. In previous years, it had been closed for bears.

We drove to beautiful Upper Kananaskis Lake and prepared for an easy hike in the mountains. Around the lake to the waterfalls.

Then a relatively easy hike up to Rawson Lake, through the trees, not many views or much colour; but a lovely surprise after a few kilometres.

We hiked to the end of the lake, along a very open and somewhat rocky trail in the shadow of an impressive rock wall. Along the way we debated whether we would attempt to climb the ridge.

Others were doing it so why not?  We ate our lunch before we started.

Then we started the steep climb, not encouraged by others' reports of how slippery the loose gravel and soil were.

Step by step we made it to the top and proudly stood on the ridge.

Upper Kananaskis Lake behind me and Rawson Lake almost out of sight in front.

Going down is usually trickier than up and it was for me,(slipped 4 times) but we made it and felt like we had accomplished something that day.

Once is enough for this ridge.

96. Rae Glacier

 Distance: 8 km

Elevation gain: 462 m

August 30, Herm and I decided to explore Rae Glacier based on the recommendations of Seonju and Sally. It was a beautiful day for the mountains, the short steep section up to Elbow Lake did not seem nearly as steep as for other hikes.

The flood had damaged the trail somewhat but it had been well marked with pink ribbons.

The views were open and clear most of the way. Herm pointed out Mt. Elpoca, Piper Pass and Tombstone mountain. We are getting familiar with the area.

Then on and up to the view of the glacier. It is shrinking and has left a gravelly mess but the whole hike was beautiful and enjoyable.

 We ate our lunch here of course, trying to find a spot a little out of the wind.

Across the stream which we were following was a lovely waterfall which Herm had the energy to explore while I rested at the base in a sheltered alcove. It felt luxurious to just sit and absorb.

The flowers were long finished, except for asters, but the willow bushes had turned yellow and some grasses were red so there was colour besides the gray mountains.

 

The hike finished with a leisurely walk around the quiet, blue Elbow Lake.