Elizabeth Bagdan

Wanisan Trail to Meadow Shelter

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Attendance was light for the Wanisan hike, as it also happened to be Mother’s Day. It was a beautiful spring day with the early greens all around. With the shade of the trees and the breeze, we did not get too hot.   

One outstanding thing was how very much the water has receded in the wetlands. Some lakes were dried up.

On the trail we saw violets, strawberry and saskatoon blossoms, a water calla lily, wild sarsaparilla and cattails.

We heard a white-throated sparrow, a sora and gulls. We also saw a red-necked grebe and a blue-winged teal.  Using the Merlin app, we were able to identify the sora by sound. 

The butterflies are everywhere—we saw a swallowtail butterfly, spring azure butterflies and cabbage white butterflies. 

There were e-bikers as well.

Our destination was the nice Meadow Shelter, complete with tables for lunch, and toilets.  We met joggers, another Waskahegan hiker, a fourth Waskahegan hiker and four hikers with dogs.  One dog had chewed through his leash, so we were able to assist with safety-pins. 

On the way back, we stopped at the Wanisan shelter. It was outfitted with with chairs, cooking tri-pod, cooking utensils, golf balls, etc.  

The quality and condition of the Waskahegan boardwalks was impressive as usual.  

Thanks to John for scouting and leading the hike. You can see all the photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.

Middle Battle River Hike

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For the nine of us who hiked the Middle Battle River section west from Hwy 21, it was a fun day.

Those who drove from Edmonton saw tundra swans and snow geese—as well as ducks and Canada geese. Those from Camrose saw tundra swans driving back.

Participants arrived early, so we got off to a prompt start. The weather was cold to start with, but by afternoon it turned  beautiful and sunshiny.

Along the trail, we saw an abandoned campsite, a cabin complete with biffy, and a nice pond formed by a gravel pit.

Middle Battle River pond at the former gravel pit
Pond at the former gravel pit

We saw green plants and green moss on the ground, but the yellow trail diamonds were sometimes difficult to see amongst the yellow leaves on the trees. 

Here is the work of the beavers.

Sherry at leaning tree that is almost falling due to beaver's work
The beavers’ work

This happened to be grouse day. Those at the front of the line got to see a grouse on a log, and later, a grouse flying. Sherry, who was at the back of the line, wondered if she was hearing a motor. We also saw two other grouse, one of which was landing on the high branch on a tree.

For our lunch we stopped at the Troutman campsite, which is lovingly maintained by the Troutman family. The outdoor toilet is a thing of beauty and there is a new fancy set of targets.

Half the group went on to Fidler’s monument. Along the way, we met a neighbour boy of the Troutmans, who was delivering a birthday cake on his motorcycle. He apologized for the noise of it.

On the way back, we had a rest break at the nice pond.

Thanks to everyone who came out to hike, to Trail Maintenance for their fine work maintaining the trail, and to the landowners for their continuing permission. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Middle Battle River hiking group at fancy targets

Find out where we’re going next.