Waskahegan Trail Association

It wouldn’t be spring in Alberta without a little wind, and the wind was with us the whole hike except when we were in the trees.

At the high point of the trail, the eleven of us walked along a long fence line that incorporates some interesting elements. We had fun making up stories of how these items got to be here. There was hog wire on part of the fence…therefore, the landowner had pigs. We saw insulator posts…so he must have collected insulators…or maybe he worked for a power company. We guessed he was a grader operator because of all the old grader blades holding up the fence.

It was a glorious walk to the ski hill and back. We stopped at the plaque commemorating Oscar Zawalsky, and learned a bit about this long time Waskahegan friend and volunteer.

We were even fortunate to see some late-blooming crocuses and other flowers. Such a good hike!

Thanks to John for scouting and leading the hike, to trail maintenance for their work on the trail last fall, and to the landowners for their continuing permission. There are more photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.

It was 10 minutes before the hike was to start at 10 a.m. Elizabeth and Mary were alone at the trailhead, wondering if anyone else would show up. Neither of us wanted to hike if there were just the two of us. At five minutes to 10, Bonnie and Karl arrived and we knew the hike was a go. At three minutes to 10, Johanna and Eric arrived. Now we had a real hike.

The drizzly weather earlier in the morning had convinced most people not to come. But the rain had quit by the start of the hike, and the weather became glorious.

We did not see any crocuses — they showed up two weeks ago and disappeared back into the grass. We did see buffalo beans, new growth on willows, porcupine eaten branches, red tailed hawks — mad because we were walking through their area. And we had a great view of the Battle River valley.

Thanks to everyone who came, to trail maintenance for their work on the trail last fall, and to the landowners for their continuing permission. There are more photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.