Waskahegan Trail Association

Trail Clearing: Battle River (A60) to Schnee Hill – Tentative
2026-09-30 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Edmonton)
Maintenance always depends on the weather; so check the website before coming out.
If you plan to attend contact Helen W. (helenwhitson@gmail.com) so she can provide you with the workplan details and directions to the trailhead.
Please bring your lunch, water, wear older clothes and be prepared for hiking.
Note: The trail maintenance crew are covered by WCB.

Ministik Berg & Nature Conservancy Trails
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, Delaney S.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2025

September 2024

September 2022

June 2022

June 2021

September 2020

October 2018

May 2017

South Miquelon (A84 towards ‘D’)
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 Johanna F. by email or call 780-298-4119.
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

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

Trail Clearing: Northend Saunders Lake (A29 to A30+) – Tentative
2026-09-16 09:00 - 15:00
Note: As part of the northend Saunders Lake maintenance we mow from A30 towards A33 for a lunch spot. if we have have time (& a big enough crew) we will also mow to there next stile (also towards A33) which will also cover the Southend Saunders Lake trail for a hike next April.
Maintenance always depends on the weather; so check the website before coming out.
If you plan to attend contact Helen W. (helenwhitson@gmail.com) so she can provide you with the workplan details and directions to the trailhead.
Please bring your lunch, water, wear older clothes and be prepared for hiking.
Note: The trail maintenance crew are covered by WCB.

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 Leaders JoAnne B. & Lee S., at 780-487-0645.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

July 2025

August 2019

July 2018

Trail Clearing: Ministik Berg & Nature Conservancy Trails – Tentative
2026-09-09 09:00 - 15:00

Ministik Bird Sanctuary (A88 to Fire Tower)
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, Helen W., at 780-884-3097.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

September 2021

Trail Clearing: South Miquelon (A84 towards ‘D’) Tentative
2026-09-02 09:00 - 15:00

North Miquelon - A86 (Former Store) to A85 (Miquelon Park)
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, Helen W., at 780-884-3097.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

May 2025

September 2024

April 2023

August 2022

August 2020

July 2017

July 2016

Gwynne Section
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 Jacky R..
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

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

Trail Clearing: Ministik Bird Sanctuary (A88 to Fire Tower) – Tentative
2026-08-19 09:00 - 15:00

Wood Bison Trail (Elk Island)
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 are going to take advantage this summers “Canada Strong Pass ” which gives everyone free access the the NationalParks, including Elk Island, from June 19th to September 7th.
We will meet at the Wood Bison parking lot (south of the Yellowhead & the road along the fence for ~½km, not through the main park entrance) at 9:45 a.m., with the hike leaving at 10:00. We’ll then follow the “Wood Bison Trail ” (trail 11) with lunch along the trail and continuing to the parking lot. The hike is a bit on the longer side (~16km) but relatively flat. Pictures from August 20th, 2017.
Fun bison facts –

Elk Island represents the southern extent of the historic range of Wood Bison and the northern extent of the Plains bison range. So, this is an area where the two subspecies naturally co-existed.
Wood bison are the largest land animals in North America, weighing ~900 Kg or ~1 ton. They are bigger than plains bison because they consume a lower quality diet that is composed of plants that are not easy to digest. The larger amount allows for a larger digestive tract to allow the wood bison to get the most out of these poor food sources.
During the calving period so keep your eyes out for little red calves. Also, don’t be alarmed if the females look skinny and sickly. They are recovering from the winter and giving birth.
If the bison are be shedding (contributing to their sickly appearances) – keep your eyes out for clumps of fur, sometimes they even shed in “mats” which can be 1-m long. If you find some it is very soft.
Bison are classically thought of as grazers (eating just grasses and sedges), but during the spring they take advantage of the highly nutritious and easily digestible new growth on shrubs, trees, and herbs. So, if you see the bison pay attention to what they’re eating.
If you want to challenge yourselves, it’s possible to tell the difference between winter and spring/summer dung paddies –

Summer dung is in a large wet mound or completely flattened
Winter dung is rounder like a loaf of bread and may come apart in sectionsThe difference arises from the bison eating fresh, wet plant material in the spring/summer but eat dead grasses and sedges in the winter. The dried bison dung paddies are great fire starters and smell amazing.

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 94-95, or contact the Hike Leader Johanna F. by email or call 780-298-4119.
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

August 2017
May 2019

Trail Clearing: North Miquelon – A86 (Former Store) to A85 (Miquelon Park) – Tentative
2026-08-12 09:00 - 15:00

Pipestone Creek (A49 to hill just after A51)
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 Elizabeth B., at 780-672-2873.
Here are the write-ups from previous hikes on this section:

May 2024
October 2023
September 2021
June 2018
July 2016

Trail Clearing: Gwynne Section – Tentative
2026-08-05 09:00 - 15:00

Hastings Lake to Mottet Hill
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, Peter K..
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

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

Shirley Lake Trail (Elk Island)
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.
We are going to take advantage this summers “Canada Strong Pass ” which gives everyone free access the the NationalParks, including Elk Island, from June 19th to September 7th.
We will meet at the Tawayik Lake parking lot (~6½km north of the Yellowhead, past the park gates) at 9:45 a.m., with the hike leaving at 10:00. We’ll then follow the “Shirley Lake Trail ” (largely trails 2 & 3) with lunch at the campground beside Oster Lake and continuing to the parking lot. Pictures from September 10th, 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 94-95, or contact the Hike Leader Johanna F. by email or call 780-298-4119.
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

September 2017

Trail Clearing: Pipestone Creek (A49 to hill just after A51) – Tentative
2026-07-22 09:00 - 15:00

Fort Ethier / Bigstone Creek (A48 towards ‘D’)
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, Helen W., at 780-884-3097.
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

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

Trail Clearing: Hastings Lake A94-A93 and A98-Park Gates – Tentative
2026-07-15 09:00 - 15:00
Note: this will be partial maintenance on two nearby sections off trail –

Hastings Lake Motet Hill Hike (A91 to A94)

today’s maintenance will be A94-A93 (~2km)
last month we did maintenance for A91-A92
A92-A93 & A94-A92 is all along a little used country road, no maintenance required

A98 to Meadow Shelter Hike –

today’s maintenance will be A98-Cooking Lake/Blackfoot Gates (just over 1km)
from the park gates to Meadow Shelter it is all along public trails within the park, no maintenance required

A99 to Meadow Shelter Hike – if enough people

if we have enough people we may mow from A99-Cooking Lake/Blackfoot Gates (just under 2km) for an early November hike
from the park gates to Meadow Shelter it is all along public trails within the park, no maintenance required
this is a heavily used section of the trail so maintenance tends to be more of a ‘nice to have’ rather than ‘essential’

Maintenance always depends on the weather; so check the website before coming out.
If you plan to attend contact Helen W. (helenwhitson@gmail.com) so she can provide you with the workplan details and directions to the trailhead.
Please bring your lunch, water, wear older clothes and be prepared for hiking.
Note: The trail maintenance crew are covered by WCB.

Stoney Creek
2026-07-12 09:45 - 15:00
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 Elizabeth B., at 780-672-2873.

Note: Elizabeth is looking for a Co-Leader for this hike, so if you are looking to gain some experience leading a hike please email Elizabeth at mekbagdan@gmail.com or Lee at hikes@waskahegantrail.ca.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

July 2025

July 2024

July 2022

July 2021

July 2020

July 2019

July 2018

Trail Clearing: Fort Ethier / Bigstone Creek (A48 towards ‘D’) – Tentative
2026-07-08 09:00 - 15:00

Hastings Lake (A97 to A95) and Allen Nature Trail
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, Anita P.
Here are the write-ups from previous hikes:

August 2025

August 2024

June 2022

July 2021

July 2019

August 2018

July 2017

June 2016

West Battle River (A57 to Schnee Hill)
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 Elizabeth B., at 780-672-2873.
Here are the write-ups from previous hikes on this section:

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

Trail Clearing: Hastings Lake - A97 to A96 and A91 to A92 – Tentative
2026-06-24 09:00 - 15:00
Note: this will be partial maintenance on two nearby sections off trail –

Hastings Lake A97 to A95 Hike & Allen Nature Trail

maintenance is predominately A97-A96 (~2km)
the landowner does most of the maintenance on the Allen Nature Trail, but we will assist (if needed)
A96-A95 is all along a little used country road, no maintenance required

Hastings Lake Hike A91 to A94

today’s maintenance will be A91-A92 (~2km)
we’ll do the A93-A94 maintenance next month
A92-A93 & A94-A92 is all along a little used country road, no maintenance required

Maintenance always depends on the weather; so check the website before coming out.
If you plan to attend contact Helen W. (helenwhitson@gmail.com) so she can provide you with the workplan details and directions to the trailhead.
Please bring your lunch, water, wear older clothes and be prepared for hiking.
Note: The trail maintenance crew are covered by WCB.

Partridge Hill/Ross Creek A111 to A109
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, Stella C. or call 587-879-2955.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

June 2024

August 2022

September 2021

Trail Clearing: West Battle River (A57 to Schnee Hill) – Tentative
2026-06-17 09:00 - 15:00

South Coal Lake - Kjorlein Corner (A45) to Wetaskiwin Pumping Station (A46)
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, Anita P.
Here are the stories of previous hikes:

July 2025
June 2023
September 2022
July 2019
May 2017

Pipestone Creek (A53 to hill before A51)
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 Leaders JoAnne B. & Lee S., at 780-487-0645.

Here are the stories of previous hikes:

September 2025

June 2024

September 2023

July 2022

August 2021

September 2019

Trail Clearing: Partridge Hill/Ross Creek A111 to A109 – Tentative
2026-06-03 09:00 - 15:00
