Six people came out to hike the north edge of the Blackfoot Recreation Area. It was great to be walking in the quiet peace of the country.

The paths were broad and covered in a heavy blanket of snow. For the most part, we were able to avoid paths used by the skiers. Hikers take note: the Park has been putting in new trails, and the signage has yet to be installed. And there is no up-to-date map.

One of the many fun things about hiking with the Kershaws is you learn so much about nature. We stopped several times to examine footprints (ermine, hare, young moose). We also learned some fascinating facts about moose ticks and the phenomenon of “ghost moose”. A moose infested with ticks—and the volume on the animal will be huge—tries to relieve the itch with intense rubbing. As a result, the moose will lose so much hair that it appears white – that is, ghostly.

We didn’t see a ghost moose, but we did see a clump of dark guard hairs on the trail—most likely fallout from ticks.

Thanks to Peter for scouting and leading the hike. All the photos are on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.

Seven people came out to hike the trails along the North Saskatchewan between the Quesnel Bridge and the Hawrelak Park footbridge. The sun was shining for most of the day and the weather was pleasant in spite of the cold.

The hike started at Whitemud Creek and old Keillor Road. From Saskatchewan Drive we turned down the long staircase into Hawrelak Park. It’s exciting to know that the park reopens this year.

The footbridge took us into Laurier Park and the middle of the Silver Skate Festival. After lunch at a picnic table we visited each of the snow sculptures. It’s an international competition with entries from France, Germany, Wales, to name a few countries.

One sculpture we found especially moving was a tribute to forest fire fighters. Titled “Ishkuteu Ishkuteu”, this entry from Sturgeon County is a block of snow with an image on each side:

The wildlife we saw today included a flock of waxwings at the top of a tree–their shrill chirping always draws our attention, and a flocks of geese and ducks swimming in the melted water at the outlet at the Quesnel Bridge.