Nineteen people came out to hike the Stoney Creek Trail south of Camrose and into the McGee Basin. Starting from the Valleyview neighborhood in the south end of Camrose, we headed into the city’s largest green space, the Stoney Creek Valley. A short while later, the paved path ended and we were on a narrow track, surrounded by stunning vistas and wide fields of fragrant clover and intriguing wildflowers.
Indeed, the area is rich in native plant life we don’t often see on the Waskahegan Trail, probably due to the sandy nature of the soil.
Gallardia 
Wild Bergamot (Monarda) 
Meadowsweet (Spirea)
The main reason that we schedule this hike in mid-July is to see the cactus in bloom at the hoodoos in McGee Basin. The blooms had been open when the trail was scouted earlier in the week, but they seemed to be finished by the time we arrived.
However, the foot of the hoodoos make a perfect spot for lunch.
Thanks to Elizabeth for scouting and leading the hike. You can find more photos (44!) on Flickr.
