Summer adventure of 50 years ago provides lasting memories for the Dorward brothers and inspiration for local hikers
(A similar article originally appeared in the Camrose Booster – Country Edition July 10, 2018)
On July 4, 1968, Ross Dorward, 16, and his brother David, 15, started a hike on the newly-created Waskahegan Trail in central Alberta. The trail was developed as a Canadian centennial project, initially through the efforts of their father Fred Dorward and the Oil Capital Kiwanis group.
The trail runs mostly on private land and has few amenities for camping. “Ross and I completed it with Converse running shoes, heavy canvas backpacks, and no tent or freeze-dried food!” says David. He still has the journal he kept from the trip.
The route took them through Edmonton, Battle River country, Camrose, Elk Island National Park, Fort Saskatchewan, and St. Albert. “When we arrived at Emily Murphy Park on our return, we were met by Lt. Governor Grant MacEwan.”
On July 24th, the brothers were welcomed in St. Albert. According to the report in the St. Albert Gazette, “Both boys looked remarkably fresh—didn’t even complain of sore feet.”
Quite often we’re asked whether it’s possible to hike the whole trail in one go. Except for young David and Ross Dorward, we don’t think anyone else has done it. When we look back on what they did, we’re awestruck.
We recommend that regular folk like us walk the trail in day trips. For example, our Sunday guided hikes cover 5 km sections at a time, for 10 km return trips. Anyone can join us.
The trail is a unique treasure in this province and we can see why David and Ross were excited to take on the whole thing at the start of their summer vacation.
