WE'RE BACK!!!!
After two years of soul-crushing and energy-sucking work, Mandy has recently retired (for now) and as a result we are able to get out and enjoy the great outdoors together again! 😊 We've done some hikes together the last couple years, including a few during our trip to France last fall (see
here,
here, and
here), but this felt different. This hike felt like the old days of getting out on week days to some of our favourite spots.
Yesterday we did a little tune-up walk at West Bragg - Parking Lot, Ranger Summit, Snowy Owl, Strange Brew, Elbow, Sundog Loop, Ranger Summit, back to Parking Lot. We didn't take any pictures, but we debated taking one of the parking lot, as it was the emptiest we have ever seen it. Only three cars on the South side, and maybe six on the North side. What???? 😳
Last night we discussed a plan to try Strawberry Hills, a hike in one of our favourite parts of Kananaskis - the Longview access. We decided to play it by ear today. When I woke up I headed right for the basement as I have been for the last twelve days to watch the live feed of the Tour de France. What a stage today!! What a stage every day!!!! The stage finished around 9:30, and by then I pretty much thought the hike was a no-go. Amanda was more determined than me and we were on the road 45 minutes later. Let's go!!
We really enjoyed the drive there, down Highway 541, past Eden Valley, and into Kananaskis, reminiscing about all the hikes we've done in that area over the years. I don't think there is one that we haven't enjoyed. We were on the trail by about 11:15, and the temperature was ~17 C. We were the only ones parked on the side of the road at the trail head and were pretty confident this was a very lightly used trial that we would see no other hikers on.
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| Two Old Farts - Together Again! 😊 |
The trail stays low for a few kilometers before heading up into the hills. This is rare for hikes around here, as most of the trail heads are at the base of the mountains and you immediately head up without any warm-up. We enjoyed some good views along a few small lakes early on.
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| Junction Hill Reflection |
We also got some great views before our turn-around point for the day.
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| Mount ArmLaren (Right), Mount Armstrong (Middle), Happy Hikers (Foreground) |
The return leg went quick as always. I enjoyed checking out all of the wildflowers and berry bushes on the walk out. We commented that it wouldn't be that surprising to see some bears with all the yummy food around (including us 😱)!!
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| Blue Penstemon |
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| Buttercup |
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| Sheperdia (Buffaloberry) Bush |
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| Not Sure |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Wild Mushroom - Not Sure What Kind |
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| Not Sure - Dr. Seuss Flowers?? |
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| Cow Parsnip |
One creek crossing later we were pretty much back at the car. I am so happy that Amanda pushed for the hike, and even happier that we got to spend the time outside, together again!! 💑
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| Classic Mandy Shenanigans!! 😂 |
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