Waskahegan Trail Association

With the huge volume of rain we’ve had, we knew that it wouldn’t be possible to take our usual route from the south end of the trail up to the hoodoos where opuntia cactus bloom. Even in drier years, we’re usually picking our way around sloughs and bogs.

This year, 14 hikers started at the north end at the Stoney Creek Center, formerly the Camrose Ski Clubhouse. We passed the formal stands of blue-purple salvia and tall, showy lupines, and the landscaped backyards of elegant homes…and almost seamlessly we found ourselves on the gravel and dirt trail that took us through the broad Stoney Creek valley.

Left and right, we discovered one wildflower after another. Between Jerry and Elizabeth’s scouting a few days earlier, and the hike today, Jerry counted over 30 different species.

Highlights included two large patches of milkweed, the favourite food of the monarch butterfly. Also spotted were wild licorice, Richardson’s alumroot, gallardia (blanket flower), scarlet mallow, and majestic yellow evening-primrose.

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Thanks to Jerry and Elizabeth for scouting the hike and to Elizabeth for leading. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Ten people came out to hike along the North Saskatchewan River from Whitemud Creek to Hawrelak Park. The day started with a light sprinkle and finished with blue sky and scattered white clouds.

We were startled to see the Edmonton Riverboat resting halfway onto the shore near the outlet of Whitemud Creek. In December “an ice jam in downtown Edmonton broke free which resulted in some wildly fluctuating river levels. In a very short period of time…the river level rose and fell by 2 meters. The Edmonton Riverboat rose with the water levels and the port (shore side) came to rest on the ice flow.”

Since April, the company has been assessing the damage.

We crossed the Quesnel bridge and resumed our hike through Laurier Park, a popular off-leash area and also the location of the Edmonton Rowing Club and Yorath House.

At Hawrelak Park, we had our lunch in a large picnic spot near the edge of the river. On the way back, we took the trail that leads up to Saskatchewan Drive and turns down Keillor Road, which is now a multi-use path.

One of the day’s highlights was stopping for our group photo at the lookout known as “End of the World”.

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