88. River View Trail

 Distance: 11 km

Elevation: 200 m up and down

On May 14, we joined Tako and Henrietta for a spring hike on River View Trail and then to Sulphur Springs Trail in Kananaskis. The weather was perfect and we were eager to get out. The hike starts at Paddy's Flat and seemed like a new one for me and worthy of a blog so I was doubly eager to go.

We thought the trail started at a particular sign and began climbing until my astute navigator noticed we were going the wrong direction.

We went back to the campground and down the hill to the Elbow River to the correct start and began a beautiful walk above the Elbow River. We had great views of the river and foothills since the aspen trees did not have their leaves yet.

Tako shared a little information about the rocks, like the poker chips made from shale and we pointed out a few early spring flowers.

We all looked for the birds singing so cheerily along the route and identified a yellow rumped warbler and ruffed grouse. No bird pictures with out camera but clear sightings with Herm's new binoculars.

One of the mountains to identify is Prairie with its flat top.

Historically, there was a little coal mining done in the area and we poked our heads in an adit filled with water.

One section of the trail was covered with bright green moss reminding us of B.C. hikes and lifting my spirits even higher with the wonderful spring colour.

This may have been our earliest spring hike and it was great, definitely to be repeated.