May 13, 2020 - Prairie View Trail/Barrier Lake Lookout/Jewel Pass, Kananaskis Valley, Kananaskis

Today we met up with an old friend from Fort McMurray days and her hiking partner for what turned out to be a great hike.  We decided to go to the fire lookout at Barrier Lake, but ended up making it a loop via Jewel Pass instead of the usual out-and-back that most people including us have done.
We met at the Barrier Lake parking area just after 9:00 and headed out right away.  The weather was gorgeous today - sunny, cool (4-14 C) and only a light breeze at times.  The trail was in decent shape early, but I would have been a little reluctant to do it later in the day once the mud and ice started to melt.  MicroSpikes were an essential at the higher elevations, although we were able to comfortably start and finish without them.

View Across Barrier Lake To  Mount Baldy

First Viewpoint (MicroSpikes not on yet)

We stopped for a snack at the lookout and were fortunate enough to have a chat with the lookout himself.  He was a very friendly gentleman from Toronto who has only been on duty for a couple weeks now, and will be there until this fall.  He kindly answered all of our questions and shared a lot of interesting information.
As mentioned above, instead of doing the traditional out-and-back we descended via Jewel Pass and the back side of Barrier Lake.  I truly enjoyed it for several reasons.  The trail was a very pleasant and beautiful forest trail.  I always find comfort when surrounded by the trees, and love the sweet smells that catch your attention from time to time.  The streams and bridges also added to a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.  In addition, Amanda and I always seem to prefer the loops to the out-and-backs.

Trail Fork For Descent Via Jewel Pass

Bridge Crossing Selfie

Final Stretch - Barrier Lake and Mount Baldy In Background (MicroSpikes Off )

It was a beautiful day all around.  We enjoyed the hike, we enjoyed the trail, we enjoyed the weather, and most importantly we enjoyed the company.  Thank you Maryse and Carl for asking to tag along!!  It was so nice to catch up with Maryse, and we really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Carl.  Look forward to our next mini adventure together!!

Bird Watch - I heard lots today, but was enjoying the conversations so much that I couldn't be bothered to pay them any attention. 😊

Photo Credits - Somehow my phone died between the car and the point when I went to take my first picture.  Thank you Maryse and Carl for sharing all of yours!

May 2, 2020 - Quarantine Update

It's been over a month since I have updated the blog.  During that time we have been keeping our distance from the rest of the world, but have managed to stay busy and entertained.  The boys have done a great job accepting the current situation, and have done their part in keeping isolated.  Thankfully that has not stopped them from having fun.
One day they convinced me it would be fun if I towed them up the driveway on their skis.  While maybe not the wisest parenting decision, it ended up being a great afternoon, and something they'll likely remember for a long time.

The boys also spent a lot of time in the yard and on the side of Highway 66 building jumps and skiing.  I am so happy that they have been able to be outside and stay active while quarantining.

As the snow started to melt we started doing more projects around the house.  Amanda comes up with the good ideas, I do the cutting and nailing/gluing, and she does the painting/staining and finishing.  With the exception of one very close call with the table saw which saw me lose half a finger nail and a chunk of flesh, we ended up with some pretty good results.

Ty painted and hung this mountain bluebird house

Despite all of the above, I was really starting to miss getting out onto the trails.  Fortunately the government relaxed some of the restrictions and the provincial parks were opened on May 1.


May 1 - Corri Robb Trail to Vents Ridge, Elbow, Kananaskis

We drove to the Elbow Falls gate (which should open on May 15) and walked down to the Powderface Creek trailhead.  THe first section of the trail was mostly snow covered and icy.  Our cleats came in very handy.

Icy Trail Down Low

At about 1.3 km we turned off the trail to the right and started heading up to the ridge.

Micro-Break Selfie

Powderface Creek Valley

 Below Vents Ridge Summit

At this point the trails were dry and snow-free.  After a bit of a climb we got to the top and stopped for a quick snack.

Summit Shot

After our break we decided to descend via the east ridge.  It was mostly pathless (or we couldn't find the path) until we were about halfway down.  The path brought us back out to the road.  Despite not seeing anybody on the trail there were at least 35 cars parked at the gate by the time we got back.  I suspect these people were either cycling beyond the gate, or hiking up Prairie Mountain, which is probably one of Calgary's favourite hikes.
It felt amazing to be back out on the trails.  I am so happy that the park restrictions have been lifted.  I know that it helped my personal mental health, and the mental health of all of the other people accessing nature in Kananaskis.


May 2 - Sulphur Springs Trail and Riverview Trail, Elbow, Kananaskis

We were so excited about the park being open again that we decided to go out again the next day.  We chose Sulphur Springs Trail, which is a good spring tune-up walk.  We parked at Paddy's Flats access, crossed the road and started on the trail heading east.  Despite there not being so many views Sulphur springs is a pleasant rolling walk through the woods.  Again our cleats came in very handy.  The trail was intermittently snowy, icy, wet, and dry.

Moose Mountain Access Road Selfie

After descending parallel to the Moose Mountain access road, we crossed Highway 66 and picked up Riverview Trail.  There were many beautiful views from the riverbank as we finished the last few kilometres.

River View 1 

River View 2

River View Selfie

It goes without saying that we are so happy that access to Kananaskis has been restored.  I feel like it is so important for everybody to be able to be in nature, for the sake of health and well-being.  I hope everybody who might be reading this are all doing well and being safe, and are able to access the outdoors wherever you are at.

Thanks for reading!!

March 22, 2020 - Bird Watching At Home

The last few days we have stepped up our Social Distancing parameters.  With the exception of one trip to the grocery store we have all been at home.  One activity that has kept me entertained is taking pictures of birds around the house.  I thought I'd post them here in case anybody was interested, and to give myself something to do other than reading Pandemic news online.😁

NOTE: Click on the photos to make them larger.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch #1

Red-Breasted Nuthatch #2

Boreal Chickadee

Mountain Chickadee #1

Mountain Chickadee #2

Steller's Jay

Hairy Woodpecker (Female)

Downy Woodpecker (Male)

March 19, 2020, Elbow, Skiing and Tobogganing

Day 2 of Covid-19 social distancing.  The boys asked me to come skiing/tobogganing this afternoon.  They have been going to a hill just off Highway 66 lately with downhill skis.  I thought it would be fun to join.  When we got there there was already a couple of other carloads of people so we doubled back to look at a hill we saw on the way down.  We parked at the Station Flats parking lot and hiked in.  It was probably only a few hundred meters to the bottom of the hill but from there to the top was extremely challenging due to the snow.  We were easily waste deep.  Sam and Ben were in downhill ski boots, which was no easy task.  I had snowshoes, so tried to break a decent trail as best as I could.  We did make it up to the top for a nice view, and one run only.  Ben and Sam were on skis, Ty and I tobogganed.

Waste Deep On The Way Up 

View From The Top

We hiked back out to the car, and although we were exhausted we decided to go back to the normal spot and see if it was any less busy.  As we arrived the two other groups decided to pack up.  We spent the better part of an hour there doing a few runs of skiing (Ben and Sam) and tobogganing (Ty, Sam, and myself).  Here are a couple of videos.  Please pardon my French in one of them. 😁

It was another few hours of amazing social distancing in Kananaskis.  I am glad the boys asked me to go!!

March 18, 2020, West Bragg Creek Trails

Today was my first full day of Covid-19 social distancing.  The boys and I decided there wouldn't be too much risk in going out to the West Bragg Creek trails for a morning ski.  We were at the parking lot by 10:00 with about 10 other vehicles already there.  It was about -8 C and variable cloud.  We got a few centimetres of fresh snow last night, but the track-setters had already been out this morning, and the trails were in pretty good shape, though our glide wasn't the best.

Today we did West Crystal - Loggers Loop - Elbow - Iron Springs - Sundog Loop.  Ty and I had not been on the Elbow - Iron Springs legs before, but Sammy had.  For those who are debating it, it is very beautiful back there, and well worth the extra work.

Elbow Section Selfie

The temperature was perfect for us, and when the sun poked out a few times it was almost too warm.  This was only Ty's second time but he seemed to have a lot of fun as seen in this video:

We got back to the car by 11:45 and were home around 12:00 for a well-earned lunch and for the rest of our day.  I was happy as ever to be outside for a couple of hours.  We will definitely do the Elbow-Iron Springs loop again - great workout, beautiful scenery, fun trails.

Bird Watch: Nothing to report.

March 7, 20202, West Bragg Creek Trails - Night Skiing

We had just gotten back from a weekend of hockey in Medicine Hat with Tyler last night, and Sam asked if we could go night skiing.  After sitting in cars and rinks all weekend, I could not think of anything better to do!  Plus, I've never cross-country skied by headlamp, and it was snowing outside, so how could it not be fun.  We gathered up our gear, and were out at the trail head by about 8:15.  We were definitely the only people there, and it looked like it had been more than a few hours since everybody had left.

The trails were snowed over a little, but you could still see where the track-set was.  The layer of snow and the lower temperature seemed to be a good combination as our glide was very good, and we made great time.

Sammy On Our Way Up

I thought it might be a little sketchy to ski at night but it was actually quite peaceful - we could see the moon behind the clouds, the snow was falling, and it was very quiet (other than the great conversation we were having).  I will admit I did look over my shoulders a few times, and had to double-take at some weird reflections in the trees from our headlamps, but in the end we saw no fresh tracks and didn't get eaten by bears or cougars, so I guess I was worried for nothing. 😂

Selfie With Moon In Back - With Flash

Selfie With Moon In Back - Without Flash

I'm not sure if this video will work, but it will give you an idea of how fun it was.  Wait for it, and don't blink or you'll miss it...

We skied for about an hour, and were home by about 9:30.  I am so happy Sam asked me to go.  It was a super-cool experience, and we had a blast!  Thank you Sammy!!

March 4, 2020, Canyon Creek Ice Cave, Elbow, Kananaskis

Amanda and the boys did this hike a couple of weeks ago while I was working.  The pictures and stories were so amazing that I couldn't wait to do it for myself.

Amanda At The Mouth Of The Cave Two Weeks Ago

Fortunately, Ben agreed to take me up there today, and I was not disappointed.  The hike is a pretty straight forward two-part hike: a five kilometer walk on a gravel road, followed by a short, steep stint up a rough, and rocky trail to the mouth of the cave.  According to Gillian Daffern's book the gravel road was built in 1928 by Moose Dome Oils to access wells at the head of Moose Dome Creek.  Apparently you used to be able to drive all the way to the beginning of the climb, but because of so many incidents they moved the parking lot back to Hwy. 66 to ensure those that went to the ice cave were properly prepared.

The road part of the walk was rather brisk today.  Despite being relatively warm out (~ 0 C), a cold wind was whipping up through the canyon making it slightly unpleasant.  The conversation kept us going, though. We passed the Shell compressor station, which prompted a lot of oil and gas questions from Ben, most of which I had to speculate on the answer.

Approaching The Cave 

Looking Back Towards The Trailhead

Before I knew it we were at the end of the road section and had started our climb.  Though this section is relatively short, it is steep, and the layer of ice with last night's snow on top of it made it tricky in spots.  Thank goodness I had brought the traction aides again this hike.

Heading Up To The Cave

Once we got to the cave we spent about a half hour exploring it.  Words don't do it justice - both in terms of the magnitude of the cave, and of the beauty of the ice formations inside.  All I can do is post the following pictures.

Ben At The Mouth of The Cave

Inside The Mouth Of The Cave

The ice formations inside the cave were both huge, and intricate.  It was amazing to see how smooth and clear the ice itself was.

Ben Checking Out One Of The First "Icicles"

One Of My Favourite Pictures Ever

Interesting Ice Formations #1

Interesting Ice Formations #2

We spent a little relaxing at the back of the cave about 500 m into the mountain.  It was incredible how quiet and how dark it was there.  With our headlamps off you literally could not see your hand in front of your face.  It was very cool!

Head Lamp Shadow Game

Leaving The Cave

I would definitely recommend this hike.  The walk in could be done on bike to make it a quicker outing, but either way it is well worth checking out.  The cave is very unique and interesting, and I would go back any time.

Bird Watch - None today. 😞