The Waskahegan Trail is closed until further notice

The Waskahegan Trail is a unique resource that exists only because of the generosity of landowners. Unfortunately, the need for isolation and physical distancing means that the private sections of the trail are closed.
Learn more.

However, we are still encouraged to get outside as long as we follow regulations. As of May 24, we began leading scheduled Sunday hikes on public trails. We also continue to monitor the access of public trails in the region and we're collecting hiking tips.
Check it our here.

Chickakoo Lake Summer Hike

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If you want to hike close to Edmonton on trails that aren’t wet, like they are in most places, Chickakoo Lake is the place to go. The recreation area is about 40 km west of Edmonton, where the country is starting to get hilly.

Nine hikers came out on a warm sunny Sunday to enjoy this popular park.

The wide trails took us through shaded woodlands and up and down slopes as we passed from lake to lake.

We noticed that the spring flowers are now turning into fruits.

  • Involucrate Honeysuckle
  • False Solomon’s Seal

This is an area that we usually visit only in winter, so it was nice surprise for most of us—especially the discovery of a large secluded lawn area, where we had our lunch.

Thanks to Johanna and Helen for scouting and to Johanna for leading the hike. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Miquelon Provincial Park: Home of Frogs

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Our hike began with the amphibian walk led by Kayleen, the park interpreter.

At the start, Kayleen explained that because amphibians breathe through their skin, the health of their population is a good indicator of the health of the environment.

So, what would we find out about the health of this particular section of Beaver Hills Country?

To ensure our chances of seeing anything, Kayleen led the fourteen Waskehagen hikers and several families to the Holdsworth Trail. It’s a more secluded and lesser used trail compared to other trails in the park.

Among the many good reasons to hike with children, there’s this: they are great at catching frogs. Here are some of the special moments where we could not have done without them.

Wood frogs from largest to tiniest

The results: We counted 206 wood frogs, 3 boreal chorus frogs, and a garter snake.

After lunch near the visitor’s centre, we set out on Miquelon’s other trails starting with the Chickadee Loop. We stopped looking for frogs, but we did see a large red-sided garter snake before it slithered into the bushes.

Thanks to Elizabeth for scouting and leading this hike. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Trail Maintenance at Wanisan Shelter

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The trail maintenance volunteers have been eager to get out and get back to work.

Last Friday we had a break in the weather and scheduled our first work party of the year. The crew went to Wanisan Shelter and applied two coats of stain, removed garbage left behind by visitors, and swept the outhouses.

Of course, there was standing water on the trail in many places, so we did not mow or venture farther than the shelter.

This week we visited Ross Creek and reinforced and widened the bridge. They also added ramps for the mower.

Instead of going out to a restaurant for coffee afterwards, we have been enjoying a tailgate party with Italian sandwiches and strawberries from the garden—thanks to Sherry!