Hikes

Blackmud Creek in Ellerslie Hike

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Seventeen people came out on a lovely spring day to hike the section of Blackmud Creek in the Ellerslie area. Just like all the creeks in Edmonton, residential development has been growing on each side. This makes the creek accessible to a lot of people, but also vulnerable. Appropriately, the City has posted a lot of signage to educate walkers on the area’s ecology and sensitivity.

The people who live here have much to appreciate in the natural beauty the creek brings. At the same time, the wild creatures are standing their ground. At one house we walked by, there was a male mallard standing on a roof, looking very conspicuous.

And then we saw this coyote at the creek’s edge.

Right now we are in the middle of spring. The larches are starting to “leaf” out, so to speak, and the cones are budding. These are probably the earliest trees to show their green.

Thanks to Martha and her co-leader Mary for scouting the trail and leading the hike. You can see these photos and more on Flickr.

Here’s where we’re hiking next.

Spring Hike to Rest and Be Thankful Hill

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The hike in the East Battle River to Rest and Be Thankful Hill is traditionally our first hike of the summer season. Eighteen people, five of them hiking with us for the first time, came out to enjoy the 9.8 km walk under clear blue skies.

Along the way, we discovered this deer skeleton. If the head looks odd, that’s because this wasn’t the original position of the jawbone. We moved it there to “complete” the skeleton, but it’s probably not in a realistic position. We didn’t touch anything else.

This beautiful prairie crocus (Anemone patens) is the reason why we visit the trail at this time of year.

At the end of the trail we made our way up Rest and Be Thankful Hill. It’s the perfect spot for lunch.

Thanks go to Mary for scouting the hike, to Elizabeth for assisting, and to the landowners for their continuing generosity. You can find these photos and more on Flickr.

Here’s where we’re hiking next