JoAnne Burek

Twelve people came out to hike the Cloverlawn trail, from north of Coal Lake to Mud Lake. The day started cool and windy, but it gradually warmed up. About half the time we were sheltered in the woods. For the duration of the hike we either putting on layers or taking off layers under the ever-changing sky.

We stopped a while at the pet cemetery, and continued up to Stan’s Bench. From this high point we admired the scene from Coal Lake to Mud Lake and the green valley in between.

The flowers we saw today included columbine, arnica, slender blue beardtongue (Penstemon), mouse-eared chickweed, stickseed (Hackelia floribunda), wild strawberry, Canada anemone, Canada violet, lungwort (bluebells, Mertensia), false Solomon seal, prairie onion, heart-leaved Alexanders, twining honeysuckle, and bunchberry.

Lunch was on the slope overlooking Mud Lake.

Thanks to Helen for leading the hike, to trail maintenance for maintaining the trail, and to the landowners for their continuing generous permission. You can see all the photos on our Flickr album.

Where we’re going next.

Twenty hikers came out to hike Pipestone Creek westward from the sod farm to the slope just before the bridge.  It was a perfect day in many ways…not too hot, not overgrown, free of mosquitoes, challenging enough but not difficult, and very green. For views and natural experiences, it was spectacular.

Within minutes on the trail, we spotted a porcupine in deep slumber. The dozing creature was lightly shielded by foliage just feet away from the trail.

Later on the road between trail segments, we watched a very brown snowshoe hare run past us in the woods along the side.

We identified some distinctive violets—the crowfoot and the northern bog. There were also bluets (Houstonia). Although these tiny-flowered patches range wide in parkland areas, they are not commonly seen.

Thanks to John for leading the hike, to Lee for scouting it, to trail maintenance for maintaining and improving the trail, and to the landowners for their continuing generous permission. You can see all the photos on our Flickr album.

Where we’re going next.