95. Nose Hill

 Distance: 12 km

Elevation gain: up and down hills

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, August 28,  Herm and I wanted to add another hike to the blog without driving far so we finally hiked around Nose Hill Park in Calgary. Unfortunately, most of the beautiful flowers were finished but it was still a beautiful hike with lots of open space, hills, views of Calgary and sunshine.

From the parking lot, the wide trail went directly into an open field.

Thankfully this large area was kept as a park and enjoyed by many people. In the past it was important to the Natives as one tepee ring alluded to.

There was a lake up on top to add to the diversity. It was rather low now at the end of August.

The trail surface condition and vegetation varied throughout the park.

There were many views of downtown from the south face.

Due to it's urban location, we will do this hike again, probably in every season.

94. Nihahi Creek Trail

 Distance: 15.8 km to the end and back

Elevation: 463 m

Rachel, Naylis, Skyler, and Allie wanted to thank me for the Physical Education activities over the past year so they decided on a hike/activity and we chose Nihahi Creek Trail based on smoke and weather conditions. Marc joined us.

We took out our bikes at the parking lot before Little Elbow campground and biked up an old rocky logging road for a few kilometres to the trail head.

 

At Nihahi Creek crossing, we parked our bikes and hiked uphill beside the canyon for a kilometre or so.

Marc and Allie led the way and chatted enough to warn any bears.

We followed behind at our senior pace.

When we reached a possible entry into the canyon, some of us eagerly descended to explore.

We posed for a group lunch shot, delicious sausage rolls,

and then everyone went down to climb and jump and take risks.

Rather than continue up the creek and lengthen the hike, the young people voted to return to the bikes.While they played in the creek, Herm and I explored the canyon from the bottom. Logs were posted to help hikers up the falls,

Till we came to a falls which was not passable.

We got on our bikes again and returned to the parking lot, downhill and fast almost all the way.  The plan was to swim at Forgetmenot Pond for a bit to cool down. That wasn't necessary as the sun had disappeared, but bribed with candy, the kids still jumped in and not to be outdone, I did also.

 

Then off to the ice cream shop in Bragg Creek for a great ending to a great outing. I plan to repeat the hike in the spring to enjoy seeing water in the falls.

93. Bertha Lake

 Distance: 11km

Elevation gain: 460m

Seonju, Sally and we set out in a more relaxed fashion today since our big hike was done. Once again, the burnt trees allowed lots of sunshine and views. The fireweed was ready to bloom and cover the hillsides.

The falls were beautiful. Then we discovered the bridge was still washed out from the fire so we followed Herm up a steep cross country junction to join a horse trail and continue.

The special flower on this trail was the queen's cup.

 

 The tiring amount of uphill and pesky horseflies was balanced with the continuous fluttering company of colourful butterflies (fritillary, police car, and swallowtail) and beautiful flowers until we finally reached the lake.

The beach was along another edge so we continued in order to eat and swim in style.

92. Crypt Lake

 Distance: 17.4 km return

Elevation gain: 675m

On Monday, July 12, we eagerly got up early to catch the first boat to the trailhead of Crypt Lake. We had done the easy hikes yesterday so as not to be tired today. Although we had done this hike about 25 years ago with Elise, Nate, Melisa and Jen, I only remembered that it was good.

There were several gorgeous falls along the way.

interesting rocks and creeks,

many beautiful and plentiful butterflies, fritillaries and the largest - swallowtail

and a beautiful, well travelled, single lane trail with great views.

We saw many clumps of bear grass but no flower stalks until we were quite near the top and then were very happy to see a few. They bloom profusely every 7th year and this was not one of them.

 One thrill of the trail is how they built it so we could get to the lake. First, up a ladder,

then, through a long, low tunnel,

then with a chain for security along a narrowish ledge.

Finally, we arrived at the lake. Many of the hikers went in for a brief swim as the ice had been gone for a few weeks already.

What a refreshing dip and lots of time to dry off while we ate lunch on a comfortable log.

After a luxurious rest, we made our way back down, and were happy to find that a boat had come early and we didn't have to wait long. What a wonderful hike.

91a. Bear's Hump

Distance: 2.4 km return

Elevation gain: 225 metres

Another short hike brought us up the Bear's Hump, a good viewpoint over the town and Prince of Wales hotel. It was easy to do after the Bellevue Prairie hike although I almost backed out due to a little rain.

In 2017, Waterton was seriously damaged in forest fires. Bare trees stood out all over above green undergrowth. The positive side was that the views were extra good, negative side - less shade.

More beautiful flowers as we hiked up the wide, busy trail but the most surprising was the mock orange; first one bush and then much of the mountainside. I guess it was trying to make up for the lack of blooming bear grass this year.

The Prince of Wales Hotel was saved during the fire and makes a splendid view from on top of the bear's hump.

And just to prove we got to the top:

91. Bellevue Prairie Walk

 Distance: a few kilometres

Elevation: negligible

On July 11, 2021 we returned to Waterton after about 19 years. We camped with Seonju and Sally and decided to do a couple short hikes before joining them Sunday afternoon.

Bellevue prairie hike was like a walk in a garden; we walked slowly, admired and tried to name all the flowers we saw.

The roses were easy. They were interesting because they changed colour in different areas.

The bergamot was the most common and was interesting because a sign warned us of transporting spotted knapweed seed and it looks very much like bergamot.

Of course, we ate lunch there soaking in the flat surroundings, birds and ground squirrels.

There were a few flowers which we could not identify and also saw later on other hikes.

Then we hurried back to escape the rising wind and threatening clouds.

 

It was a beautiful little walk and should be repeated at other seasons.

90. Grotto Canyon

 Distance: 8 -10 km return 

 Elevation gain: gradual steady incline,   about 400 m

On June 16, we finally decided to hike Grotto Canyon, close to Calgary and not too strenuous. It was a very windy day and we hoped the canyon walls would protect us somewhat. They didn't.

The trail started out from Grotto Pond parking lot, with coarse gravel footing, following power lines to the music of a large magnesite plant. Flowers were starting to bloom and roses were on full display. The sun was shining.

 

Eventually we reached the beginning of the canyon and the uniqueness began. A small creek with a little water and plenty of rocks flowed most of the way to the junction. It was interesting to keep going over the creek on stepping stones to choose the best trail.

Herm spotted the pictographs and agreed they are not very clear but they are part of history.

Soon we came to the T junction with its impassable cliff and people playing around.

We turned to the right to get a closer look at the falls. The access didn't look difficult but the rocks were a little wet and felt slippery so I was cautious.

What a surprise to get around a corner and see they were three times as high as expected.

Then we took the left arm of the T junction to explore further up the canyon. Some limestone rock gave way to a few hoodoos. One cave halfway up was semi inviting but we resisted.

 

Then the trail largely disappeared and we scrambled over rocks to continue on to Grotto slab, our lunch destination.

 

While we ate our lunch on the rocks here, we watched a Clark's Nutcracker family feeding a squawky juvenile.

We could have gone farther up the canyon but climbing over rocks takes a toll on senior hips so we decided to enjoy the return walk and reduce risk.