JoAnne Burek

North Miquelon Late Summer hike

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Twelve people came out on a pleasant Sunday to hike the trail in the North Miquelon section. We started at the Spilstead access, west of Spilstead Hall, and went south.

Our hike took us through a variety of terrain. We walked along the lush margins of ponds, through verdant woods, down leafy road allowances, and over rich green meadows.

We checked out the Marsh Mitchell Cabin.

Late summer is the season for purple asters, and we saw many. These are actually two distinct species, Showy Wood-Aster (Eurybia conspicua) and the Fringed American-Aster (Symphyotrichum ciliolatum)

Showy Wood-Aster
Fringed American-Aster

Our lunch was in the pasture on a berm lightly covered with buckbrush, overlooking a large pond. We were entertained by the comings and goings of ducks, geese, and sandpipers.

Thanks to Johanna for scouting and leading the hike, to trail maintenance for their work, and to the landowners for their generous permission. You can see all the photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.

North Coal Lake Hike

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Eight people came out to hike the North Coal Lake trail. It was the most brilliant of blue sky we’ve seen in a long time.

What’s so special about this picture?

Somewhere around this fence line is the edge of a “little great divide”. Water runoff on the left runs into the Battle River, while runoff on the right is the Source of the Blackmud. That’s Blackmud Creek, which merges with Whitemud Creek in south Edmonton, which eventually flows into the North Saskatchewan River.

Hundreds of miles east, at North Battleford, the Battle River catches up and also joins the North Saskatchewan.

Thanks to Johanna for scouting and leading the hike, to Trail Maintenance for the great work, and to the landowners for their continuing generosity. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.