JoAnne Burek

Hike to Mottet Hill

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Ten people came out to hike the trail in the Hastings Lake area to Mottet Hill. The landscape here is gently rolling pasture and light woods—just right for horses.

A landmark on this path is the Two Stones. Situated at a stile, these large boulders are erratics—left here from the last ice age.

We strolled, rather than climbed, to the top of Mottet Hill. It’s a ridge that gives a nice view of the valley. Here we had our lunch. Then we returned via the road so that we could get a glimpse of Hastings Lake.

Thanks to Lee for scouting and leading the hike, and to Trail Maintenance for maintaining the trails, and to the landowners for their generous permission. You can see all the photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.

Our Beardtongues

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Alberta has at least twelve species of beardtongues (Pentstemon) in various colours, sizes, and range.

The Slender Blue Beardtongue (Pentstemon nitidus) is a 4 to 12 inch plant that features bands of densely-packed tiny flowers bright blue in colour with a tinge of purple at the stem end. Up close, the tubular flowers look like little blue trumpets.

On the trail, you will find Slender Blue Beardtongue growing in colonies along the edge of a woodland or in a damp meadow. They bloom from June through August.

Waskahegan Field Notes

From a distance, a mass of Slender Blue Beardtongues look like sapphires on stems. The brilliant blue with purple always grabs everyone’s attention and curiosity.

We have found the greatest variety of beardtongues on the Stoney Creek trail, including the lilac-coloured flowers below.

Sources

  • Linda Kershaw. Alberta Wayside Flowers.
  • R.G.H. Cormack. Wild Flowers of Alberta.
  • F.R. Vance, J.R. Jowsey, J.S. McLean. Wildflowers Across the Prairies.
Slender Blue – Cloverlawn
Slender Blue – Stoney Creek
Lilac coloured – Stoney Creek
Beardtongues (Pentstemon)