Hikes

Sunday’s weather was lovely and warm, which only added to the enjoyment of the seven hikers who clambered along the Bigstone Creek.

This trail offers some of the most picturesque scenery anywhere on the Waskahegan Trail. As it has the most rope-assisted uphill segments, it also qualifies as one of the most challenging trail sections. The efforts to maintain these parts—which are intensive—were all done by Brad. Accordingly, we noted and appreciated this work, as we really needed all the assistance we could get, especially with each successive climb!

At the end of the hike, while we cooled down from the heat of the trip, the landowner Mrs. Lucas gave an intriguing and educational talk about the origins of the fort and her husband’s family’s involvement with it. What a pleasure it was to learn about the fort first-hand from people related to the original family.

Thanks to John for scouting and leading the hike, to Trail Maintenance for clearing the trail, and to all the landowners of this trail section for their continuing permission. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Find out where we’re going next.

Twelve people came out to Coal Lake to hike from Kjorlein Corner to the point marked as the pumping station. It’s simply an open but shaded area that overlooks the lake, and the pumping station for the Wetaskiwin Water Treatment Plant happens to be there.

It was one of our warmest days of the year, and there have been many this summer. On this day, the atmosphere was hazy from smoke blowing in from fires. Lake scenes seem to be one of those settings that can be enhanced with haze.

We were happy to see a complete lack of mosquitoes, and surprisingly, no wasps. Berries are abundant now—chokecherries, highbush cranberries, hazelnuts ripening, and even a black currant.

Thanks to Lee for scouting and leading the hike, to Trail Maintenance for clearing the trail, and to the landowners for their continuing permission. You can find more photos on Flickr.

See where we’re going next.