February 24, 2020 - West Bragg Creek Trails - Cross-Country Ski

After a morning of doing bills and paperwork, getting outside seemed like a very good idea.  Amanda suggested I go for a quick ski, and I am glad she did.

I didn't take any pictures today so I am attaching the trail map to show how many options there are:

West Bragg Creek Trail Map

I did West Crystal Line to Logger's Loop to Sundog Loop toEast Crystal Line.  The trails were in great shape and the weather was nice - a little bit of snow, and a little bit of sun.

I had a couple of thoughts while on the trail:

1)  Cross-country skiing is the ideal winter activity.  It is low impact, making it easy on the joints, which translates into a very broad age range of participants.  I saw some junior high kids out, and I also saw some retirees who were well into their 70's.  It is physically demanding, but relaxing at the same time.

2)  Getting outside in the middle of winter, is so good for physical and mental health.  I felt completely refreshed while I was out there, and relaxed after I got home.  I've discussed it several times before, but I am positive that being in nature has real, measurable, positive health effects.

February 21, 2020 - Prairie Mountain, Elbow, Kananaskis

I made a last minute decision on Friday afternoon to head out to Prairie Mountain.  The boys were all out or occupied, and Amanda had the flu and was stuck in bed.  In my defence, she is the one who put the idea in my head.  I did not abandon her in her hour of need!

I had originally intended to just go for a little walk along the river, but as I drove into the Elbow Valley, I could see the peak of Prairie Mountain, and it must have been calling me.  When I went there last fall the trail was icy, and we did not have our microspikes with us, so we did not make it to the top.  This time I remembered to bring them, and within a couple of hundred meters, I stopped to put them on.  The first half kilometre was very icy.  After that, the trail was mostly packed snow until the last few hundred meters, where it was bare.  I kept the microspikes on the whole way, and was glad I had them.  They are definitely a key piece of gear at this time of year - although the guy I passed wearing court shoes was giving it a real go!  We have the Kahtoola MICROspikes from MEC, which seemed to be a very popular choice that day.

The hike itself is short (~7.5 km return), but the elevation gain (~700 m) makes it a bit of a workout.  It is mostly treed with a few good views on the way up, and then some spectacular ones when you hit the tree line about 500 m before the summit.  Just before getting to the tree line I spotted a Gray Jay up at the next corner.  I got my binoculars out and was pleased when three of them started tree-hopping closer and closer to me.  In the end, I suspect they were hoping I had some food, but I did really appreciate the close look.

Gray Jay - NOTE: Not my picture, but they were this close to me.

Once I got through the tree line the wind picked up significantly.  I got to the summit just as another couple was, and stayed long enough to take a picture for them, and for them to return the favour to me.  I had no snacks or water, and it was super-windy so I turned around and started heading back down right away.

View Above The Tree Line (Wrong Focal Point - Sorry!)

"Breezy" Summit Shot Courtesy Of The Friendly Couple

Prairie Mountain is probably one of the most popular hikes in the Elbow Valley - there were at least 10 vehicles at the trail head on a Friday afternoon in the middle of winter...  I would still recommend it, though.  It has some great views, it easy to get to, and it it is a fantastic workout!  I was home within 2.5 hours, refreshed and more than a little tired!

UPDATE: Amanda survived while I was out, and has made a full recovery since then!😆

West Bragg Creek Cross Country Skiing

The West Bragg trails are only 15 minutes from us so biking, hiking, and x-country skiing has become much easier.  We can get out for a good ski, and be back home in under two hours. The trails there are ideal for everybody, at every level, and for both styles (classic and skate).  The Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association and all of its volunteers do a fantastic job of grooming and maintaining the trail network.

We had one useful set of skis from before, and we picked up two new sets after Christmas, allowing three of us to go at a time.  All of the boys have been at least once, I have been a few times, and Mandy has been out almost a dozen times now.  I had forgotten how enjoyable cross-country skiing is, and how much of a workout it was.  I am so glad we've picked it back up.  It is a great option during these winter months!

First Outing With Sammy - Sundog Loop

Mountain Road Trail

Ski Selfie

Mountain View Trail #1 

Mountain View Trail #2