Waskahegan Trail Association

Blackfoot Lake Staging in Blackfoot Rec. Area. - Tentative
2026-03-01 10:15 - 15:00 (America/Edmonton) | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
We will meet at the parking lot at the Blackfoot Lake Staging Area at 10:15 a.m. the hike will leave at 10:30 a.m. Irene will be leading the hike & Scotty will maintain the fire at the shelter. The pictures from January 29th, 2017.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book (pages 88-89), or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

January 2017

April 2018

October 2019

Wanisan Lake (A99 to Meadow Shelter) - Tentative
2026-03-15 10:15 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
We will meet at the trail head (south of Blackfoot Recreation Area) at “A99” (the end of on Range Road 204), we should be there at about 10:15 a.m. with the hike starting at 10:30. The pictures from March 5th, 2023.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 84-85, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

March 2023

March 2022

St. Albert Trails - Tentative
2026-03-29 10:15 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
This weeks hike will be in St. Albert along both sides of the Sturgeon River. The city trail is well-developed and maintained year-round, so it’s a good choice during the mucky month of April. Additionally, one of our members, Frank P., has notes on a “historical tour” notes on St. Albert.

St. Albert has a great trail system. They are likely to be cleared but throw your grippers in your car just in case. If the coming storm stays longer than predicted, updates including cancellation, will be communicated. Washrooms are available at St. Albert Place (5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert). Please meet in front of the main doors for St. Albert Place (south side of the building) at 10:15. The hike will leave promptly at 10:30, total length will be 8-9 km, and pictures from March 30th, 2025. There is a huge free parking lot at St. Albert Place.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes web page for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, page 125, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

April 2025

April 2024

April 2023

March 2019

April 2018

Southend Saunders Lake (A33 to A30) - Tentative
2026-04-12 10:15 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
This hike, 9.8 km round trip, follows the shoreline, giving views of waterbirds and red tailed hawks, with a deer being a bonus.

We’ll meet at the trail head beside Rollyview Road at the end of Saunders Lake at 10:15 a.m. (parking area across the highway). The hike will leave from ‘A33’ at 10:30. The pictures from April 13th, 2025.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 24-25, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

April 2025

April 2024

April 2022

May 2017

East Battle River (Duhamel) to Rest & Be Thankful Hill - Tentative
2026-04-26 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
Traditionally this was our first out of town hike of the season & a glorious way to start spring … and for the past few years we’ve also added it to our fall schedule, providing another chance at an out of town hike before winter hits.
The hike follows the Battle River east towards Stoney Creek and Camrose. It starts by following the river, low in the valley across open grassland, but eventually winds its way up out of the valley, stepping over a field of crocuses, then into woods and gulleys, and ending at the top of “Rest & Be Thankful” hill. There we stop to eat our lunches, thankful for the spectacular views.
We’ll meet at the trail head Duhamel (Ross Flats) Campground (at Range Road 212C just off Highway 21 & the campground is no longer in operation). The hike will leave from ‘A62’ at 10:00. The pictures from April 27, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes web page for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 52-53, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

April 2025

April 2024

April 2023

May 2022

April 2019

May 2017

May 2015

Kopp Lake - Tentative
2026-05-03 09:45 - 15:00
This will be a great time to come & check out the Kopp Lake in the spring !! We will meet at the trail head at “A35” (at the fork in the road for Township Road 492 & 492A) at 9:45, we should hitting the trail about 10:00 a.m.. You should check the website prior to departure in case of a change (e.g., weather forecast, trail conditions). Pictures from June 15th, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 26-27, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2025
October 2023
June 2022
June 2021
September 2020
June 2019
August 2018
September 2016

Ministik A87 to Horseshoe Lake or North Miquelon (10:30 Start) – Tentative
2026-05-10 10:30 - 15:30 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
For the past few years there has been a ‘Mother’s Day Breakfast’ at the Spilstead Community Hall (20502 Township Road 502, corner of Township Road 502/Range Road 205).

We will check to see if they will have a Mother’s Day Breakfast again in 2026, if so we can meet at the community hall for breakfast then drive the 2km to the trailhead for the hike.

Those just want to hike can meet us at the trailhead.

This will be one of our hikes within the Ministik Bird Sanctuary. We’ll meet at the trail head beside “A87” (Spilstead Access), ~0.2km south of the corner of Township Road 502/Range Road 210, at 10:30 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A87’ at 10:45. (Note: if there is no ‘Mother’s Day Breakfast’ at the Spilstead Community Hall then we will meet at A87 at 9:45 with a 10:00 start).

Based upon spring trail conditions, the hike will either go north from A87 to Horseshoe Lake or south to North Miquelon.

During the 2021 season, these hikes had the added bonus of walking with Dylan Reade, the Oscar-nominated cameraman behind some of the great IMAX films (“Fires of Kuwait”, “Flight of the Butterflies”, “Dinosaurs Alive”, to name a few). Dylan was producing a series of videos for the Beaver Hills Biosphere website. In an email correspondence, Dylan said, “I am particularly interested in Ministik since a portion of the sanctuary intersects with a route that Joseph Tyrell took through the Beaver Hills in 1886—which I am also covering in an upcoming episode.”

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 71 & 73, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

A87 to Horseshoe Lake – Overview

Plants typically seen on the trail from A87 north to Knull Lake – Coltsfoot, agrimony, rose, sasparilla, meadow rue, dogbane, goldenrod, Asters, fireweed, thistles, giant hyssop, nettles, other mints, mayflower, birch, spruce, beaked nut hazel, honeysuckle, highbush cranberry, snowberry, water hemlock, yarrow, yellow rattle in grass patches, fairy bell, false soloman’s seal, lily of the valley, nodding biggars tick, and various mosses.

The Ministik Bird Sanctuary, an important bird sanctuary for migratory waterfowl. You can hope to see plenty of wildlife as well as a fine example of muskeg habitat. This is an excellent time to visit here, as mosquito populations are down, but come prepared anyway (with repellent) as well as water, sun block and lunch for another fine day on the Trail. If you have a camera and perhaps a knock-about pair of binoculars, why not bring them too? You won’t be sorry. The pictures from October 5th, 2025.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

October 2025

May 2024

July 2023

May 2022

September 2021

August 2019

September 2018

August 2016

A87 North Miquelon – Overview

This is the hike in the Miquelon & Ministic area that we did a few years ago with the “Red Deer Ramblers” and is also great for bird watching. The trail goes the Currie pasture, past the Sanctuary Estates subdivision and the Marsh Mitchell cabin. The pictures from May 7th, 2023.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

May 2023

May 2022

May 2017

May 2016

Cloverlawn (A39 towards Stan’s Bench/A38 & Mud Lake) - Tentative
2026-05-17 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
The “Cloverlawn” hike a modification of 3 favourites (Stan’s Bench, Source of the Blackmud & Coal Lake North End) to accommodate a lost section of the trail along Mud Lake (as we can no longer get all the way to “Mix Stopover”).
We’ll meet at the trail head “A39” (on Township Road 483A) at 9:45 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A39’ at 10:00, initially crossing a farm before starting a climb that has amazing views of Mud Lake, Coal Lake and the Gwynne valley. Followed by some twists & tuns through the woods past an unusual “pet cemetery”, stopping at Stan’s Bench before descending down past A38 where we will have lunch near Mud Lake before returning. The pictures from August 3rd, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 28-29, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

August 2025
June 2024
May 2022
August 2021
July 2018
May 2017

Battle River (A60) to Schnee Hill - Tentative
2026-05-24 09:45 - 15:00
This hike of 10.4 km is along the stunning Battle River. This huge river valley was created at the end of the last ice age when the melt water that created Lake Edmonton broke through the ice and drained the huge lake in just a few days. The pictures from October 19th, 2025. We’ll be starting from the “A60” at about 10 a.m. From Highway 13 take the ‘South Bittern Lake Road’ for 5½km – “A60” is ~300m after crossing bridge just before turn going back uphill. Please park before the row of trees, ~200m from the bridge (without blocking the farm road) to allow vehicles to make it through the turn safely.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 48-49, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the write-ups from previous hikes on this section:

October 2025

October 2019

October 2017

October 2016

North Miquelon – Spilstead Access (A87) to A86 - Tentative
2026-05-31 09:45 - 15:00
This is a hike in the Miquelon & Ministic area that is great for bird watching. The trail goes the Currie pasture, past the Sanctuary Estates subdivision and the Marsh Mitchell cabin.

We’ll meet at the trail head beside “A87” (Spilstead Access), ~0.2km south of the corner of Township Road 502/Range Road 210, at 9:45 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A87’ at 10:00. The pictures from September 7th, 2025.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 70-71, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

September 2025

May 2023

May 2022

May 2017

May 2016

Pipestone Creek (A53 to hill before A51) - Tentative
2026-06-07 09:45 - 15:00
We re-established this fabulous hike a couple of years after doing a reroute around a landslide. That reroute is still being worked on & we will soon have to do more but its a great hike, very scenic.

We’ll meet at the trail head beside A53 (Twp Rd 471/RR 232) (near the Big Lake Sod Farm) at 9:45 a.m. and we would recommend bringing your poles. The hike will leave from ‘A53’ at 10:00. The pictures from September 14th, 2025.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, page 43, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

September 2025

June 2024

September 2023

July 2022

August 2021

September 2019

South Coal Lake - Kjorlein Corner (A45) to Wetaskiwin Pumping Station (A46) - Tentative
2026-06-14 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside “A45” (Kjorlien Corner on the bend at Township Road 473 / Range Road 232) at 9:45a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A45’ at 10:00, going down towards Coal Lake then south to the pumping station for the Wetaskiwin Water Treatment Plant. Pictures from July 27th, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 37, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

July 2025
June 2023
September 2022
July 2019
May 2017

Partridge Hill/Ross Creek A111 to A109 - Tentative
2026-06-21 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
This is a nice easy section that is popular for birds and one of our few remaining complete sections in the Ross Creek, Partridge Hill & Pleasantview areas.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside “A111” (just after crossing Ross Creek on RR 220 when going from Twp Rd 540 towards Twp Rd 542) at 9:45 a.m.. The pictures from June 23rd, 2024. The hike will leave from at 10:00 and will go towards A109 for ~10km roundtrip.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, page 105-106, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2024

August 2022

September 2021

West Battle River (A57 to Schnee Hill) - Tentative
2026-06-28 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
A wonderful section of the trail along Battle River, going east from Gwynne. It has a little bit of everything, including passing by what used to be the historic Low’s Crossing (well historic from a WTA perspective). Checkout Gene Miskiw’s “The Battle Bridge Story” with loads of pictures he’s shared with us at the AGM a few years ago (“The Battle Bridge Story” and more). Unfortunately, the combination of age & changes to navigable water regulations forced us to remove it, which Karen Bell documented as “A Bridge too Far”. A sad day for us all, but a reminder to the dedication and ingenuity of the original WTA members.
We’ll meet at the trail head “A57” on Highway 822 (bend near the top of the hill after the tracks & river) at 9:45 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A57’ at 10:00. The pictures from May 18th, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 48-49, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the write-ups from previous hikes on this section:

May 2025
August 2024
October 2021
August 2021
May 2018
September 2017

Hastings Lake (A97 to A95) and Allen Nature Trail - Tentative
2026-07-05 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
A wonderful full hike will go through a combination of forest & farmland, with lunch at the historic St. Margaret’s Church on the edge of Hastings Lake. At the church we’ll connect with the Allen Nature Trail (thanks Jeff & Marja). The pictures from August 24th, 2025.
We’ll meet at the trail head at “A97” (intersection of Township Road 520 & Range Road 203) at 9:45 a.m. (please park on RR203 on the north side to Twp Rd 520). The hike will leave from ‘A97’ at 10:00.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 80-81, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the write-ups from previous hikes:

August 2025

August 2024

June 2022

July 2021

July 2019

August 2018

July 2017

June 2016

Stoney Creek - Tentative
2026-07-12 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
We will be meeting at the trailhead at “A67” on Range Road 205/Township Road 461, just east of the railroad track (Note: be careful when coming from Hwy 13, as the sign for RR205 on the south side of the road is correct but due to road line corrections on the north side it is RR204), at 9:45am with the hike leaving promptly at 10:00.
You will see cacti and a little landscape you seldom see this far north. We will start from A67 (the metal gate where the stile used to be), going through McGee Basin and along Stoney Creek into Camrose. . The pictures from July 13th, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 56-57, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

July 2025

July 2024

July 2022

July 2021

July 2020

July 2019

July 2018

Fort Ethier / Bigstone Creek (A48 towards ‘D’) - Tentative
2026-07-19 09:45 - 15:00
This is along a very special part of the Waskahegan Trail. Starting with a living relic from Canadian history (Fort Ethier from the time of the 1885 Riel Rebellion) and a close-up look at an alpaca farm, followed by shaded cliff-top views of Bigstone Creek and sun-filled stretches close to the water, what’s not to like? Expect to stop at a special spot for lunch and a rest.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside Fort Ethier (“A48”) at 9:45 a.m. (parking at the landowners farm just off near the remnants of Fort Ethier … BTW: Google Map – Fort Ethier is actually ~600m closer to the creek & on the other side of the road). The hike will leave from ‘A48’ at 10:00. The pictures from May 25th, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 40-41, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

May 2025
August 2023
September 2022
June 2021
October 2018
September 2017
August 2016

Coal Lake A43 to Point Cooperation
2026-07-26 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
The Point is named for Project Cooperation, in which six 15- and 16-year olds, funded by the Province and by the Waskahegan Trail Association, cleared this section as part of their summer work in 1975.
We will meet at “A43” (Township Road 480 / Range Road 240) at 9:45 a.m., with the hike leaving at 10:00. We’ll then follow the route along Coal Lake to Point Cooperation (same spot as last week) and back to A43. Pictures from June 29th, 2025.
There is limited parking at “A43” so on hike day try to minimize the # of vehicles through car pooling.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, page 35, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2025
July 2023
June 2019

Hastings Lake to Mottet Hill - Tentative
2026-08-02 09:45 - 15:00
This is a section of the trail features pleasant paths through woods and pastures, an extensive boardwalk, and finally a stroll to the top of Mottet Hill. Here are the pictures from the hike on June 1st, 2025.
The hike will leave from “A91”, on Township Road 512 (just off Highway 14 at Range Road 204) at about 9:45 a.m.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 78-79, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2025
October 2024
August 2024
May 2023
May 2019
June 2018

Pipestone Creek (A49 to hill just after A51) - Tentative
2026-08-09 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
We should have a good selection of wild flowers, as we follow Pipestone Creek through some old growth forest & along some cattle farms. The starting point is <2km east of the lunch spot for last weeks Fort Ethier hike.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside on Highway 814 at 9:45 a.m. (parking at the landowners farm just off Hwy 814). The hike will leave from ‘A49’ at 10:00. The pictures from May 19th, 2024.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 42-43, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the write-ups from previous hikes on this section:

May 2024
October 2023
September 2021
June 2018
July 2016

Middle Coal Lake - A45/Kjorlien Corner to Point Cooperation - Tentative
2026-08-16 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
We’ll then follow the route along Coal Lake to Point Cooperation for lunch then return to the trail head. The Point is named for Project Cooperation, in which six 15- and 16-year olds, funded by the Province and by the Waskahegan Trail Association, cleared this section as part of their summer work in 1975.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside “A45” (Kjorlien Corner on the bend at Township Road 473 / Range Road 232) at 9:45a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A45’ at 10:00, going down towards Coal Lake then north towards Point Cooperation. The pictures from June 22nd, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, page 35, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2025
July 2022

Gwynne Section - Tentative
2026-08-23 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
The huge valley starting at Gwynne and containing the Battle River as it flows eastward across Alberta, was created in a few days. At the end of the last ice age, glacier water trapped by ice formed huge Lake Edmonton. The water finally broke through the ice at Gwynne and the whole lake emptied, creating the magnificent valley we will overlook. The pictures from May 4th, 2025.
The hike will leave from A57 on Highway 822 at about 10:00 a.m.. Participants should proceed there directly on their own, but should check the website prior to departure in case of a change.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 46-47, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

May 2025
September 2024
September 2023
August 2022
October 2020
September 2019
October 2018
May 2017

North Miquelon - A86 (Former Store) to A85 (Miquelon Park) - Tentative
2026-08-30 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
The hike will start beside the site of the former store (A86), initially going past a new pond that cut through our trail, then on to St. FX Lookout, Erickson’s Curvert and into Miquelon Provincial Park where we’ll stop for lunch at one of the campsites. The beavers are always active around the new pond, so the first ¾km may have some deadfall to step-over, even within hours of trail maintenance, but after that it will be smooth sailing. Pictures from May 11th, 2025.

There is limited parking at the trailhead so we’ll meet at the parking lot at the Spilstead Community Hall at 9:45. (~3km from the away). To minimize the number of vehicles near the trailhead we may carpool from the community hall & we’ll leave from the community hall promptly at 10:00.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 70-71, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

May 2025

September 2024

April 2023

August 2022

August 2020

July 2017

July 2016

Ministik Bird Sanctuary (A88 to Fire Tower) - Tentative
2026-09-06 09:45 - 14:00
Surprisingly, this is a hike we rarely do through the Ministik Bird Sanctuary that continues on past the ‘Ball Berg/NCC’ section going to an old fire tower. This is of course a good chance to see birds, including waterfowl, as well as beaver. A small camera with a zoom lens or lightweight binoculars would be handy. The pictures from September 12th, 2021.
We’ll meet from the trail head on Township Road 510 (just under 1 km west of the Range Road 210 junction) at 9:45 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A88’ (UofA Access) at 10:00 where we will go past several small lakes towards, including what many maps list as ‘red chair lookout’.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 74-75, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

September 2021

Blackfoot (A98 to Meadow Shelter)
2026-09-13 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
A great hike as most trails will have wide paths allow the hikers to socialize. There may even be the occasional hawk, some chickadees and hopefully sand cranes. The hike start from the WTA Connector trail at A98 and loop through Blackfoot with lunch at Meadow Shelter. The pictures from July 20th, 2025.

We’ll meet at the trail head at the trail head at “A98” (intersection of Township Road 520 & Range Road 203 – at the end of RR 203) (intersection of Township Road 520 & Range Road 203 – at the end of RR 203) at 9:45 a.m. The hike will leave from ‘A98’ at 10:00.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 84-85, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

July 2025

August 2019

July 2018

South Miquelon (A84 towards ‘D’) Tentative
2026-09-20 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
The Miquelon Lake is another one of those interesting trails in the Miquelon/Ministik area that had once all been underwater, resulting in pockets of trees on some higher ground (had been islands) and alley ways (where the water was). “Ministik” means island in Nehiyawewin (Cree).
We tend to follow the ‘blue’ route around the edge of Miquelon Lake and into the park where we hooked up with the park trails before looping back via the ‘yellow’ route. Don’t forget to look for the old rusted out car near the first field.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside “A84” where Township Road 491A (Rabbit Run Road) meets Range Road 203, at 9:45 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A84’ at 10:00. The pictures from August 27th, 2023.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 66-67,, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

August 2023
July 2023
October 2022
July 2021
September 2019
August 2018

Ministik Berg & Nature Conservancy Trails - Tentative
2026-09-27 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
The hike is through the Ministik Bird Sanctuary and a bit beyond, much of which is the ‘Ball Berg’ section that was donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada by the Ball family. This is of course a good chance to see birds, including waterfowl, as well as beaver. A small camera with a zoom lens or lightweight binoculars would be handy. The pictures from June 8th, 2025.
We’ll meet from the trail head on “A89A” on Range Road 210 (1 km off Hwy 14 at 9:45 a.m.. The hike will leave from ‘A89A’ at 10:00 where we will go past several small lakes towards & the ‘Berg Stopover’ to the NCC trails.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 76-77, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2025

September 2024

September 2022

June 2022

June 2021

September 2020

October 2018

May 2017

Northend Saunders Lake (A29 to A30+) - Tentative
2026-10-04 09:45 - 15:00 | Meet at Trailhead – We do not provide organized car pooling. However, participants are encouraged to make their own car pooling arrangements.
Always good late summer hike along Saunders Lake (berries ?), from the northland (A29) to to a little past A30. Hopefully with the start of the bird migration and great for nature lovers. The hike will be ~10km.
We’ll meet at the trail head beside at “A29” along Range Road 244A (at the bend in the road ~100m after “Rig Hand”) at 9:45 a.m..
Note: there has been a change to where we can park. Please park in the longer grass on the east side a little further down the road (closer to ‘Rig Hand’). Do not drive on or park on the cut grass near the gate where we typically park.
The hike will leave from ‘A29’ at 10:00. Rig Hand is open until 14:00 on Sunday so some of us may drop in for a quick drink after the hike. The pictures from August 31st, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 24-25 , or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

August 2025

August 2024

August 2023

August 2022

September 2021

August 2020

October 2019

August 2019

July 2017

August 2016

Battle River (A60) to Schnee Hill - Tentative
2026-10-18 09:45 - 15:00
This hike of 10.4 km is along the stunning Battle River. This huge river valley was created at the end of the last ice age when the melt water that created Lake Edmonton broke through the ice and drained the huge lake in just a few days. The pictures from May 24th, 2026.

We’ll be starting from the “A60” at about 10 a.m. From Highway 13 take the ‘South Bittern Lake Road’ for 5½km – “A60” is ~300m after crossing bridge just before turn going back uphill. Please park before the row of trees, ~200m from the bridge (without blocking the farm road) to allow vehicles to make it through the turn safely.

If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes webpage for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 48-49, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the write-ups from previous hikes on this section:

May 2026

October 2025

October 2019

October 2017

October 2016

East Battle River (Duhamel) to Rest & Be Thankful Hill – Tentative
2026-10-25 09:45 - 15:00
Traditionally this was our first out of town hike of the season & a glorious way to start spring … and for the past few years we’ve also added it to our fall schedule, providing another chance at an out of town hike before winter hits.
The hike follows the Battle River east towards Stoney Creek and Camrose. It starts by following the river, low in the valley across open grassland, but eventually winds its way up out of the valley, stepping over a field of crocuses, then into woods and gulleys, and ending at the top of “Rest & Be Thankful” hill. There we stop to eat our lunches, thankful for the spectacular views.
We’ll meet at the trail head Duhamel (Ross Flats) Campground (at Range Road 212C just off Highway 21 & the campground is no longer in operation). The hike will leave from ‘A62’ at 10:00. The pictures from October 26th, 2025.
If you are new to WTA hikes, then you should visit the Guided Hikes web page for essential information. For further information specific to this hike, refer to The Waskahegan Trail Guide Book, pages 52-53, or contact the Hike Leader, TBD,

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

October 2025

October 2024

October 2023

October 2022

October 2021

October 2020
