104. Stanley Glacier

 Distance: 11.2km return for the easy part, 1.5 km continuing up the valley in a loop past              the end of the maintained trail.

Elevation Gain 484m to trail end and then start climbing

On August 7, 2023 we did this hike with Rachel, Luke and family. The trail was clear, through forest which had been burnt 20 years ago so we could see mountain views all along.

 Slight haze and cloud kept the day comfortably warm. A little wild life added to the interest, grouse, picas and black backed woodpeckers. This was our first time to see the woodpeckers.

We stopped periodically and rested on some of the numerous fallen logs.

Near the end of the maintained trail we stopped for lunch and discussed whether to do the loop ahead or not. Rachel and family decided to go on to Invermere to their BandB and we decided to brave the scree and ascent and explore further.

 

The trail went up steeply and on a hotter day, the waterfalls  would have been very welcoming. The caves were just shallow.

At the end of the valley, after careful climbing and glacial stream crossing we got our best view of Stanley Glacier with its arms reaching around various mountain peaks and feeding water falls all around.

103. Horse Lake

 In September 2022, Herm and I went on another hike with Alberta Wilderness Association. This time we looked for Horse Lake in the Waiprous foothills region.

Apparently there are many wild horses in the area and they are harmful to the environment.

We saw horse manure, but no horses.

Our knowledgeable guide also explained the damage that dirt bikes do to the terrain and we did see this as they raced up sand dunes, got stuck and tried again.

It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon with lots of good conversation as we moseyed through the aspen forest to the lake.

102. Wainwright

 In June, 2022, Herm and I joined Alberta Wilderness Association for a guided hike in the sand dunes of Wainwright, in eastern Alberta.

We drove up on Friday, explored the village, and joined the group on Saturday for a 14 kilometre hike through grasslands and sand dunes. The guide was very knowledgeable about all the birds, butterflies (many yellow swallowtails) and vegetation.

The first little adventure was walking over a long beaver dam, not dangerous but risky for wet feet.

 

 

The only elevation was climbing the sand dunes.

We ate out lunch on top admiring the view and enjoying the heat.

 

 

After a great hike and good social interaction we drove to a nearby town for supper. As we pulled in to the parking lot, Herm verified that he had a serious flat tire. He put on the spare and we spent the night in Wainwright till a very kind mechanic at Okay Tire helped us get new ones on Sunday morning. It was a good experience all around as this way we had a leisurely drive home and explored more of this great province.