Hikes

Ten people came out to hike the Parkland County Trail from the Devonian Trail to Prospector’s Point. We started at the end of the boardwalk south of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden on Highway 60, continued toward Bunchberry Meadows, passed Tucker’s Field, and finally walked on a wide woodland path along the North Saskatchewan River through the Imrie Property, and down to Prospector’s Point at the river.

The day was sunny and warm. The breezes kept the mosquitos away. It seems early for mosquitos, but what a treat for these birds.

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Spring flowers, besides the ubiquitous dandelion on acreage side yards, included early blue violets and several blossoms—carargana, saskatoon, and chokecherry.

Lunch was on the lawn at the picnic area of Prospector’s Point.

Thanks to Lee for leading this hike. You can find more photos on Flickr.

On May 24, 2020, we had our first group hike since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nine people came out on the beautiful sunny Sunday morning, prepared to take all the precautions so that we wouldn’t provoke a rebound of the dreaded infection and mess up the government’s stats just as things were getting better.

How wonderful it was to hike with old friends again. Keeping the 2 meter distance wasn’t difficult, even as the trail grew more crowded with other walkers, runners, families with children, and bird watchers. It’s a good thing that we start our hikes so early in the day.

Our hike took us up to the mouth of Whitemud Creek and then left along the river. We could only go so far, as the trail was flooded because the waters were so high from recent rainfall. Here’s what Whitemud Creek looked like:

Lunch was outside the John Janzen Nature Centre, where we spread ourselves out among the many picnic tables.

Thanks to John Scotvold for leading the hike. You can find more photos on Flickr.