37. Chester Lake and beyond, B. Winter

Distance: 14 km return

Elevation gain: 550 m

On July 5, a nice day, we set off for an easy hike, good, wide trail, some other people hiking; a lovely day.

Not a spectacular beginning but just for a little ways.

The trail opened to small meadows periodically with beautiful views.

The meadow just before Chester Lake was yellow with glacier lilies. As expected we saw evidence of grizzlies rooting for the bulbs. We went up and back behind the lake to extend the hike and experience more mountainous terrain.

Soon we came to the boulders where people like to imagine they see things. On the left is a lion's head and body and up in the middle is a praying person.

The first tarn still had lots of water as it was early in the season. Clouds were rolling in, the wind was blowing so we didn't linger but continued onward picking our way over the rocks in the general direction of the end of the canyon.

Probably the second tarn, but actually there were various tarns at this time of year.

The way to the third tarn was lined with moss campion according to the book. This was true and would be beautiful in a month or so.

This was our last tarn and unfortunately that little piece of blue sky was not above us as we ate our lunch. The weather quickly got warmer again as we descended.

In the Winter

January 22, 2022, we donned our ice grippers and hiked to Chester Lake in warm, sunny weather.

 

 

 

 We went past the lake to the elephant rocks again and found them covered with snow and blending more into the landscape but still dramatic. 

 

 

 

36. Nihahi Ridge (a) (b) (c)

Distance:10 km return

Elevation gain: 753 m

June 30, Herm was eager to start hiking so he chose an "easy" one. Actually, by the time we got to the top, it wasn't really easy any more but his knee survived. This was our fourth time on the hike but a first for my "60" so here we go. 

From the parking lot, we could see our destination, the ridge, in the distance.

Finally out of the woods, and there it is, much closer.

Up on the ridge with the exciting part in front of us.

There weren't a lot of flowers but this rosy stonecrop was lovely on the scree slope.

Here's one of the fun parts. I hear, if I can get up, I can get down and I've done it before, so here goes.

A view of the Elbow and Little Elbow River valleys from the top of the ridge.

We sat up on top to eat our lunch but this is not a ridge we are comfortable walking on.

Yes, I got down.

The lower ridge looked very friendly and welcoming after the scramble. It even offered some friends, Speelman's, to walk down with. Herm's knees got him down so he chose another easy hike for the following week.

 

On June 13, 2015 I chose this hike to do with my lady friends. 

Grace, Emmy, Kate, and Lisa. It was cold and windy on the ridge so we decided this was far enough. Lisa and Emmy weren't comfortable with the condition of the scree slope ahead.

 

(c)

On August 17, 2025, we hiked Nihahi Ridge again. Herm and I had forgotten many details. I had expected an easy hike with good footing and not too steep so I chose it for our friends group. Kate, Shixin, Stanley, Jyoti, SeonJu and Charlie. Once again we stopped before the ridge as most of us had done enough.

It was beautiful weather, Jyoti carried loads of snacks up and fed us well. At the bottom we set up a picnic beside the Little Elbow.

Stanley is on his way to Cape Breton Island to study nursing so we said good-bye.

 

 

35. Prairie Creek

Distance: 13 km
Elevation gain: 280 m

Herm's knee was still bothering him so I tried this hike with my friends while he toured the Weaselhead.
We left right after church on Sunday morning on a beautiful, sunny day. Prairie Creek starts close to Prairie Mtn, on the other side of the creek. It is not steep, a leisurely Sunday afternoon walk.

Every time one of us needed a short break we would ask to "stop for a picture".

There were quite a few wild flowers, although they were not at their peak. This gorgeous blue colour of beard tongue really caught our attention. Much of the walk was beside Prairie Creek, muddy with run-off from a rainy week. One meadow was shining with vibrant, mineral rich, organic dandelions but alas, I was not allowed to pick in a provincial park.

 

Soon after, we found a comfortable log and enjoyed a late lunch or early supper.

We talked to some hikers who warned us of muddy trails and marshy areas but it had all been dry so far so we didn't hesitate.

 

Sue fell in the mud twice without complaining; she definitely earned a sportsmanship award. I tried to run on water and did manage to keep my feet dry. We were quite surprised and impressed to see the flooding at various points along the trail.

One treat was this grouse which accompanied us for a few minutes  patrolling the edge and hissing.

Understanding mother love, we quickly took a picture and moved on.

What a Sunday afternoon stroll, why were we tired with sore feet?

We used a connector link to return via Powderface trail and enjoyed walking along Powderface Creek.

Curiously, we came upon this ice floe. How had it survived this long?

Tired and muddy, we returned to Calgary, safe and willing to try another hike.

34. Prairie View/Jewel Pass(a), Prairie View(b), (c)

Distance: 13.4 km
Elevation gain: 500m

I was single today, Herm was at a SAWS meeting, so I invited other 'single' friends, Emmy and Lisa, and we hiked Prairie View.

The hike starts at the north end of Barrier Lake and was easy for us casual hikers to follow. The trail started out wide, gentle and good for conversation. After some time through trees, we reached our first viewpoint.

Then on up to the top viewpoint for a further view. It was a popular hike today.

We went down the far side of the lookout through peaceful forest and enjoyed the clumps and bouquets of calypso orchids all along the descent.

Being spring and wet, there was water everywhere. Jewel Falls was one of the more beautiful spots to stop and take a picture. We soon reached the lake and followed a level trail back to the car and tea and treats just before a downpour. We felt tired and blessed to have enjoyed such a wonderful time together.

Prairie View(b)
Sunday, August 23, Joti had a rare free day and wished to see the mountains so at 10:00 our multicultural small group left Calgary to enjoy a gorgeous day in the sunshine in Kananaskis. Joti's cookies sustained us till we stopped for lunch at the first lookout.

Then on to the 2nd (pictured above) to enjoy views, take pictures and rest while some of the group continued up to the firetower. We were not alone at the top on this beautiful day. Others came and went.

Looking from the top down on our lunch spot.

 

Stanley, Peter, Herm, Zuishin?,
Rachel, Joti, Iris, Cathie, Kate, Kevin on the lookout of Prairie View.
.
Prairie View C

August 22, 2016, my sisters and I spent a week at Baker Creek Resort and did various hikes. This was the first one. It was extremely windy but dry and a good first hike. We enjoyed coffee and shopping at Boundary Ranch before heading on to Banff.

33. Sherbrooke Lake/Niles Meadow

Distance: 19.6 km
Elevation gain: 717 m

It's Larch season but I didn't want to repeat a hike so we found a new one and hoped for colour. To avoid crowds and have great weather, we went on Friday. Tena and Harry joined us for this premier hike in Yoho National Park. Harry left his bearbell in the car and tapped his poles like a grasshopper instead. We saw no bears or wildlife other than a few birds and butterflies but the trail and views were stupendous
To start off, the walk through the woods was bordered by the biggest, juiciest bunchberries we had ever seen or tasted.

After a few kilometres, we reached Sherbrooke Lake, a pretty, blue, mountain lake. All of a sudden, we noticed  the amazingly clear, large reflection of the surrounding mountains. The image seemed to go as deep as the mountains were tall. This particular picture has Mount Niles in the background. Many snapshots later we continued the hike along the lake.

The trail led along Sherbrooke Creek and featured several cascades which easily drowned out our grasshopper and even Herm's whistling.

Then we arrived at the book's "spacious meadow" but thought it was the amphitheatre and that it was recommended to eat our lunch. So we found a big rock and ate since we were hungry.

After some more hiking and creek crossing we entered the real amphitheatre. Beautiful! And looking up, we saw the meadow we had to reach yet to get the full marvel of this trail.

We continued slowly up the trail and sat thankfully in the meadow to finish our lunch, pose for a picture and admire the valley stretching out in front of us.

From Nile Meadow, we saw Mt. Temple from another direction, still recognizable by its size and snow cover.

We walked to the shoulder of the meadow and looked down on the amphitheatre.

As expected there were more mushrooms than flowers at this time of year. It was joyful to see the variety of shapes, colours and arrangements.

Another fall treat on this trail were the bountiful,(in one spot) ripe, unwormy gooseberries. They were delicious but we left some for the bears.

On the way back, the sun had mostly gone behind the mountains so we were surprised but very pleased to see the lake still mirrored beautiful reflections.