2022 Photo Gallery
Check out all the fun everyone’s been having on our adventures!
As the adventures take place over the course of 2022, be sure to check back here for photos from the adventure, stories from the participants, and more!
(Looking for stories and photos from previous years? Click here for 2021 or see the “past adventures” menu above.)
Here’s what we have so far…
Rummel Lake Fall Hike
with Chris Saunders, on September 25, 2022
Story by Chris Saunders; Photos by Debborah Donnelly
At about 10 am on September 25, 2022, 11 hikers assembled close to a parking spot on the west side of the Spray River just off the road to Mount Shark, ready to start on the hike to Tryst Lake. The hike is not well known but is one of the best in the area for seeing alpine larches in their autumn colours. However, the area is popular with grizzly bears which leads to occasional trail closures. The group found, as they headed into the parking area, a closure notice posted by Alberta Parks, probably very early that morning. There would be no hike to Tryst Lake that day.
After a short discussion the group settled on Rummel Lake, as an alternative destination. The trailhead being only about a mile away on the east side of the Spray valley and the trail difficulty being similar to Tryst Lake.
The weather was warm and sunny and the group set off in good spirits. The trail climbed through forest of mainly spruce until a viewpoint was reached at about halfway. This gave magnificent views to the north, south and west. The trail continued up through sub-alpine forest eventually reaching the lake in time for a late lunch. A beautiful lunch spot was found, offering views of the lake, the larch trees and the surrounding peaks. Most of the larch trees had not yet changed to a spectacular golden colour and were still green. This is unusual for the last week of September, perhaps a sign of climate change.
The group returned to the cars by the same route.
Fall Hike in White Rock Coulee to the South Saskatchewan River
with Heinz and Kris Unger, on 3 Sep, 2022
Story by Lindsey Wallis; photos from Lindsey Wallis, Debborah Donnelly and Heinz Unger:
A glorious day in the coulees along the South Saskatchewan River! Despite the oppressive heat, a spectacular discovery of dinosaur bones, a refreshing river dip, and the spectacular landscapes of Southeastern Alberta’s badlands made for a day to remember.
There was a heat warning in place for Medicine Hat as we gathered our group of 10 along Highway 41 and drove to the lip of the coulee. From the uplands we surveyed the river valley and Tako Koning, one of the geologists along on the trip described how the ground beneath us was from the Cretaceous period, when this area was terrestrial, as it is now. We also saw more history in the granite rocks dropped by retreating glaciers from the last ice age.
The temperature was quite pleasant as we headed into the coulee. Compared to the spring, when the coulee was lush and green, early September had given the landscape a more gold and ochre palate. Salt bush and prickly pear graced the steep coulee walls and, as we wended our way deeper, dramatic hoodoos rose above us. We passed a disused colony of cliff swallow nests as we dropped down towards the river, and the temperature began to soar.
Upon reaching the banks of the South Saskatchewan River the group found a shady refuge under the branches of a gnarled grandmother cottonwood tree for lunch. A couple folks (prompted by the 7 year old in the crowd) swam fully clothed in the river to cool off while others dunked various articles of clothing before heading back up the coulee.
On the way back the sun was intense and high in the sky. The coulee provided very little shade at this time of day. The group moved slowly, taking advantage of what little shade we could for rest stops. This turned out to be advantageous because, at one of these stops, we found a few fairly large shards of fossilized bone on the ground. Looking up, there was a tantalizing bit of white sticking out of the side of a hoodoo. A couple of the group scrambled up to get a better look, and it was quite a few more bits of bone (see photos below).
Photos of the find were submitted to the Tyrell museum in Drumheller where they confirmed, “Yes, what you have found are indeed dinosaur bones. Congratulations on the find. Based on what is visible in the photos, they appear to be the bones of an ornithischian dinosaur, probably a hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur) possibly ceratopsian (horned dinosaur). Given the concentration of bones it likely represents either an area where the bones of multiple animals have become concentrated, or a single scattered skeleton.”
Back at the top of the coulee, on the sun-baked prairie, we were grateful for the cool refreshments provided by Heinz. We enjoyed them in the shade provided by the vehicles, whose thermometers were reading 40C! Folks agreed that it was a physically challenging day, but thoroughly worthwhile!
Orphan Oil & Gas Wells and Foothills Geology – Southern Alberta Field Trip
with Tako Koning, on 27 Aug, 2022
Story and photos by Ruiping Luo, AWA Conservation Specialist:
The day was cool, the sky cloudy with the distant threat of rain on the horizon. Not far from Frank Lake, cars were pulling up and people gathering for the road trip. It would take us to eight stops in Southern Alberta, focusing needed attention on the abandonment of oil wells and the development of renewable energy. Tako Koning, a professional petroleum geologist with years of experience organizing this tour, led the trip.
It was short drive into the Frank Lake Important Bird Area (IBA). From the shore, we watched pelicans and gulls soaring, floating in the rippling waters or standing on the islands. Frank Lake is a restored wetland and an Important Bird Area, and is recognized for the large congregations of birds, particularly for migration and breeding.
We wandered along the shore, through tall grasses to the inflow where treated wastewater flowed into Frank Lake. The water comes from High River and Cargill, and helps to keep water levels at Frank Lake constant. It was one of many adjustments made to stabilize water levels in Frank Lake, which once fluctuated between flooding and dry conditions with the seasons. To prevent severe contamination, Alberta Environment and Parks monitors and regulates the wastewater that enters Frank Lake.
From Frank Lake, we drove north, stopping to note the signs indicating abandoned gas wells before arriving at the former Mazeppa Gas Plant. Built in 1986, ownership passed through various companies before the last owners, Lexin Energy Corporation, declared bankruptcy in 2017. From across the road, we could see what remained of the gas plant. The Orphan Well Association (OWA) has been removing equipment at the site and working on environmental restoration and remediation, with salvageable parts being sold to reduce costs. Many components have already been removed, including the taller structures, and only a few buildings remain.
Next we headed east, to the agricultural fields where Elemental Energy has proposed to construct the Foothills Solar Project. The project is proposed as a 150 MW solar farm covering over 1,600 acres. This is one of many solar projects Alberta has been developing in support of Canada and Alberta’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions. However, this project draws concern for its close proximity to Frank Lake. Birds can collide with solar panels and transmission lines, leading to injury and death. It is suggested that waterfowl may be attracted to solar panels due to the reflection of light off the panels being similar to that off water. While solar energy is important to reduce Alberta’s carbon emissions, placement is also important, and the proximity to Frank Lake risks many important bird populations.
By the time we reached Willow Creek Municipal Park, a 200-acre park in a grassland valley, the rain had at last caught up to us. Climbing to the ridge, we were greeted by the open meadows, a few distant trees and shrubs, and the remnants of a tipi ring.
From there, we headed through ranchlands, passing the historic Flying E Ranch and entering an abandoned gas field and a well now under the management of the Orphan Well Association. The association works to manage and safely decommission oil wells that lack a responsible party, often a result of companies declaring bankruptcy.
At last, we headed north, to the village of Longview, and an active oil pumpjack positioned in a residential neighbourhood. We finished the trip at the Twin Cities Hotel in Longview, a historic cowboy bar, where we gathered for a final discussion and a meal. It was an informative trip that not only spotlighted the fossil fuel and renewable energy industries, but also showed some truly breathtaking views of southern Alberta.
Black Rock Mountain
with Heinz and Kris Unger, on 21 Aug, 2022
Story by Heinz Unger:
A group of five hikers started out from the trailhead through a forest that had burned less than two years ago, but below the black tree trunks small pine seedlings could be spotted in the fairly lush forest floor cover. After an hour the trail rose rapidly through rock and scree and up a steep gully to a gently rising plateau with a short alpine meadow. The peak ‘pyramid’ was one more steep climb through scree until the rocky ridge leading to the peak with the slowly collapsing former lookout structure was reached. The expansive views, all the way to Calgary in the east and the high Rockies in the west, were a great reward for the strenuous climb. It was good to see many still intact bright green wetlands in the upper reaches of the Ghost River tributaries. The group also carried out a badly needed bit of trail repair in the steep and rocky section of the trail. Well deserved cold drinks were had at the Ungers in Benchlands on the way out the Ghost Valley.
Hiking into the Headwaters of Meadow Creek
with Heinz and Kris Unger, on 17 Aug, 2022
Story by Heinz Unger, photos from Reg Radke:
A small group of five started out with fording Waiparous Creek and walked through cool aspen and pine groves, at times along the edge of the escarpment above the deeply cut in meandering Meadow Creek. After about an hour’s walk we caught up level with the creek and crossed the creek on a major bridge, built to keep vehicles out of the creekbed. Some successful bioengineering work could also be observed.
Along the way the damage (deep ruts and water-filled “wallows”) from previous OHV use was clearly obvious. The lower section of the trail / track is now closed to motorized vehicles but for some sections further along, OHV is still allowed. However, we encountered three or four vehicles only, plus one angler on an ATV (he caught several brook trout and one Cutthroat – all released back into the creek).
The highlight of the hike was a series of beaver dams, fairly recently built and beautiful clear ponds in the tall grass. That’s where we had lunch in a shady spot, taking in the views. The high mountains, especially Black Rock and Devils Head, form a beautiful backdrop, seeming quite close and rising almost vertically behind the forested ridges that line the wet meadows of upper Meadow Creek.
The cool breezes, the green meadows, the soft trail and the dark forests, all covered by a wonderful silence enhanced by rustling aspen leaves and gurgling streams rounded off a perfect day in nature.
Tryst Lake Summer Hike
with Chris Saunders, on 6 Aug, 2022
Tryst Lake in late Flower Season
Weather conditions were perfect when 7 hikers met at the trailhead just off the Mount Shark road. From the start the group walked south along an old logging road, which is on a shoulder of the main Spray River valley, for 1.9 kilometres. There were lots of flowers and miniscule strawberries growing along the side of the trail. The group than took small trail to the west which follows a very attractive stream which is the outlet from Tryst Lake high above the main valley.
The lower part of the trail, with its damp conditions, supports many moisture-dependent species including some impressive cow parsnip and patches of bilberry. Further up the trail there is substantial avalanche damage which has destroyed the spruce trees and allowed willows to flourish. In the long narrow valley leading up to the lake there were carpets of flowers, mainly paintbrush in a variety of different colours, aster and arnica.
On reaching the lake, there was just enough clear dry land for the group to walk around the margin of the lake to the west end in order to have lunch in the boulder fields. A resident hoary marmot visited briefly. Lunch was brief because after a few minutes numerous insects descended on the group. It was always necessary to keep moving to void them. The vegetated area at the west end of the lake contained numerous flowers including forgetmenot, valerian, fleabane and many chalice flowers.
The second half of the hike involved returning to the east end of the lake and climbing a steep larch-covered ridge on the south side of the lake. From here the views to the south and east were stunning.
The route returned the group back the same way to complete a very pleasant day.
Oldman River Adventure with Jim, Bob, and Phillip
with Jim Campbell, Bob Patterson and Phillip Meintzer, on 11-12 Jul, 2022
Story by AWA President Jim Campbell:
Adventure, natural beauty, and key moments in Canadian history. What a great combination. We found it all on the Oldman River between Fort MacLeod and Lethbridge.
This was the 3rd annual Adventure for Wilderness for Jim Campbell and Bob Patterson, and this year we were fortunate to have AWA Conservation Specialist, Phillip Meintzer join us as we explored a stretch of the Oldman River, that offered many happy surprises over two days, and 90+ kilometres of paddling.
The first bonus was an evening in Fort MacLeod. Walking the historic main street and visiting the site of the original N.W.M.P. post brought surprises and reflections. Who knew the internationally renowned, Joni Mitchell, was born here? And the commemorative plaque placed in 1926 at the site of the original Fort MacLeod spoke of a different time and perspective. MacLeod’s Restaurant & Lounge with a delicious 2 for 1 pizza capped off the evening.
We launched on a sunny, warm morning from the Oldman River Provincial Recreation Area at the junction of Highways 2 and 3. Paddling by Fort MacLeod in good Class I water provided a clear view of the town, and why the original Fort was ultimately moved to higher ground.
Not long after that Phillip fortuitously looked back upstream and spotted a cow moose and her two calves crossing the river behind us. Another surprise and delight for the morning. The day rolled on with clear, fast water and great bird activity including an Osprey hovering over the river, and then plunging into the water to clutch its prize and fly close by over our heads. Signs of agriculture and irrigation also abounded drawing our thoughts to plans for three new reservoirs in this basin. How do we reconcile all the competing demands on this vibrant but vulnerable eco-system?
Ever innovative, Bob in his solo canoe switched to a kayak paddle and easily kept pace with Phillip and me. As we passed under the bridge to Monarch there was no sign of the campground mentioned in the guidebook from 1982, the only one we found that referenced this part of the river. We paddled on and at Kilometre 57 found a beautiful stretch of island shoreline to make camp.
Next morning dawned equally warm and sunny. A few more kilometres on a good Class II rapid with large standing waves helped stir us awake, and we paddled on ever watchful of what was around the next bend. Finally swinging north, we landed at Popson Park at the south end of Lethbridge where our new friend, Kirby England, met us for a quick shuttle back to Fort MacLeod. Thank you Kirby!
Thanks to all who so generously supported this Adventure for Wilderness. You can be certain your donations are deeply appreciated and will be well used in support of conserving Alberta’s wildlife and wild places.
P.S. If you do this stretch remember to bring your own water! Happy Paddling!
AWA Conservation Specialist Phillip Meintzer also shares his perspective on the trip:
Departing from the Oldman River Provincial Recreation Area outside of Fort Macleod on the morning of Monday July 11th, Jim, Bob, and Phillip set off on their journey towards Lethbridge to explore this reach of the Oldman River.
This section of the Oldman River is relatively under-paddled, or at least under-documented, which meant that the route felt like a genuine adventure into the unknown. The water levels and in-stream flows of the river were better than anticipated, which made for fairly quick and hazard-free paddling for the majority of the trip. Under cloudless skies and amid the warmest stretch of weather we have experienced so far this summer, the conditions couldn’t have been much better for two days on the water.
The trip covered roughly 92 kilometres in total – 57 on Monday, and the final 35 on Tuesday. Surrounded by impressive cliff faces with lush riparian areas, the group saw plenty of wildlife including three moose (a mother with two calves), two coyotes (one swimming), numerous pelicans, threatened bank swallows and their nesting sites, bald eagles, two beavers, and a few ospreys.
The trip finished just south of Lethbridge, where the crew pulled out at Popson Park and were picked up and shuttled back to Fort Macleod by Kirby England – a professional biologist and environmental science instructor from Lethbridge College.
This adventure was organized as a celebration of AWA President Jim Campbell’s 70th birthday and to raise awareness for water conservation issues in southern Alberta watersheds. The trip was a success, and it made us curious why more people don’t paddle this portion of the river?
Although water levels and water quality seemed to be better than the group was expecting – possibly due to recent rains across the prairies – we need to recognize that climate change will make good years increasingly less likely as we bounce between periods of droughts or flooding.
Photos by Jim Campbell and Phillip Meintzer:
Hiking White Rock Coulee to the South Saskatchewan River
with Heinz and Kris Unger, on 25 Jun, 2022
(story by Chris Saunders; photos by Heinz Unger, Chris Saunders and AWA member Lynn Bowers)
The group of 13 met in a remote part of SE Alberta, the junction of Highway 41 and Township Road 174. The first step was to drive west along Township Road 174 to a point which overlooked the canyon containing the South Saskatchewan River. The road was primitive and conditions were wet so after taking in the spectacular views the group drove further south to the head of a valley which would join White Rock Coulee in due course and the coulee would lead to the South Saskatchewan River. The wet conditions caused a small change from the original plan. The valley chosen to enter the coulee was considerably higher up the coulee so the walk down to the river was longer than originally planned.
This is a very rarely visited area, there is no trail either in the initial valley or in the coulee. In addition, the route was unusually wet due to recent rains so progress was slower than anticipated. However, the scenery was magnificent both in the valley and the coulee.
During the initial couple of kilometers, the valley sides were grassy and at a gentle angle. There was real beauty in this undisturbed grassland. The cacti and wildflowers were in full bloom and we had an expert in the group who helped to identify the less common prairie plants. After the valley joined the coulee, the gradient down towards the river steepened and the sides of the canyon became steeper, turning into bona fide cliffs in the later stages. The group continued down the ever deepening coulee until the turnaround time of 3 o’clock but unfortunately still did not reach the river. The additional distance and the wet conditions meant there was insufficient time to reach the destination.
It was a fine hike in an area new to most of the group. Many are keen to return to the area in the fall to try again.
A Changing Wilderness – Hiking Banff’s Cascade Valley
with Kevin Van Tighem, on 24 Jun, 2022
(story and photos by Devon Earl, AWA Conservation Specialist)
On the rainy morning of June 24th, 2022, a group of 11 adventurers and myself met in Banff National Park to hike the Cascade Fire Road with Kevin Van Tighem. Although the weather forecast was bleak, that didn’t stop this adventurous group from setting out on a 13 kilometer hike through bear country to explore and discuss the changing wilderness in Banff.
As we set off on our hike, the rain let up and we spent most of the day in cloudy conditions with breaks where the sun shone through the clouds. We made many stops along the way to identify bird calls, look at carnivore tracks and scat, and listen to Kevin’s stories about his early experiences in the area. Although there was evidence of a lot of bear activity in the area, we felt safe and secure in such a large group, with many hikers prepared with bear spray at their hips.
As we stopped for lunch next to the Cascade River, Kevin pulled out detailed journals that he had written in the ‘70s detailing his early adventures in the park. As we ate, he told stories of animals he encountered on his journeys, including hearing the howling of a wolf pack as he tried to sleep in a tent at night. It was fascinating to hear of these amazing encounters which happened not far from where we sat at that very moment.
On our return trek we were left to consider the amazing natural history of this area, and how humans and all our activities have changed the wilderness. We were also able to consider what has stayed the same, such as how getting out in the wilderness makes us feel connected to nature and all the beings that call this wilderness home.
Milk River Canoe Adventure
with Lindsey Wallis, on 18-25 Jun, 2022
Our group of eight adults, one six-year old, and two dogs set out from Aden bridge on the Milk River. It didn’t take long for us to run aground on the numerous sandbars along the braided channels. In fact we may have walked our boats more than we paddled that first day. Well, not quite, but we certainly had to get out and dislodge our canoe from sandbars more times than I could count. Despite a brief but intense thunderstorm as we set up the tents the evening was glorious and calm, with the fiery prairie sunsets that I love.
The following day, we paddled in a heavy drizzle to our lunch spot where we were lucky enough to have the rain stop and clouds lift as we hiked up a coulee, through a smattering of prairie wildflowers and one very cold rattlesnake that my daughter discovered. We also were treated to a badger mama poking her head out of her burrow and keeping a watchful eye on us as we passed, and a prehistoric oysterbed with thousands of fossilized shells. Our camp that night overlooked the river and was overlooked by two adult Prairie Falcons and their four fuzzy, voracious babies.
Despite some rain during breakfast the next day and threatening skies all day, the storms seemed to pass us by. We said goodbye to Katie and Connie at the Pinhorn ranch, the last current human settlement we would see for the next four days. Once again we found a camping spot along the river bank near a grove of cottonwoods and sunk into the now-familiar rhythm of setting up camp and cooking a meal. It was beautiful to see a healthy river here, the channels allowed to meander back and forth so the cottonwood can seed and grow in the wet silt. There were loads of baby cottonwoods here, as well as more mature ones and the grandmother trees, standing tall and gnarled some distance back from the river.
The next three days the weather was glorious. We hiked and paddled through badlands with dramatic cliffs and ridges with spectacular views of the valley, and blue skies with perfect, fluffy, cottonball clouds. Day six was a relief as we had chosen to not pack up camp but to spend a day hiking to an old oxbow lake and to an igneous dyke where volcanic material had pushed its way up through the sedimentary rock millions of years ago, creating a formation that looked like a stegosaurus perched on a hill. There we also found what were were later told was part of a dinosaur rib bone. It was the first day of summer and we swam in the river. It is up for debate whether we came out of the silt-filled river cleaner or not (the lack of clarity in the water from the suspended silt brought down by rains from the surrounding valley sides is what gives the river its name) but it sure felt perfect to sit in the river on a hot summer day.
Our final full day on the river the wind picked up and made paddling a challenge. We were lucky to spy a big Bull Snake swimming across the river just in front of our canoe, as well as a herd of elk and a moose. We stopped at an old ranch and visited a grave of the wife of the ranch manager, who died in childbirth in the late 1800s. Today it is still a wild and isolated place and I am thankful for the SPOT device I carry in case of an emergency. One could still easily die out here before help could be found.
We made camp near the US border and wandered up one last time into the coulees to explore giant pipes that channel water down from the uplands to the river valley and discover more oyster beds and prairie flowers. One last time the skies opened up on us (thankfully after we had made camp for the night) and the prairie thankfully drank in the much-needed moisture. It was disappointing to see a profusion of Russian Olive along this stretch of the river, near the edge of the Milk River Natural Area that we had been paddling through for the last few days. It is an invasive species and is crowding out the young cottonwoods on many stretches of river here.
On the last day of our trip we discovered that that first day had put one more twist in our plans as our vehicle was not where we had expected it to be. Luckily it was only a few more river miles downstream and the weather, though windy, was sunny and warm. After loading up all the gear we enjoyed one last picnic lunch near the river and I was surprised by one last, gigantic rattlesnake (the fourth we had seen on the trip). A shower and our own beds were certainly welcome that night, but the great company and spectacular nature made the adventure a fabulous success.
Discovering 450 Million Year Old Fossils in the Tyndall Limestone, Inner City Calgary
with Tako Koning, on 18 Jun, 2022
On Saturday afternoon, June 18 we had a nice group of 11 attendees on an AWA field trip to discover Ordovician-age fossils downtown Calgary and two inner-city areas. Why would this group want to spend their afternoon looking at fossils?
There are a number of reasons for this. These fossils are very old and are dated as having been deposited 450 million years ago. The fossils occur in a sedimentary layer called the Tyndall Stone which is quarried near to the village of Tyndall located 30 km northeast of Winnipeg. The fossils lived and died in a shallow-water tropical sea. Tyndall Stone is used as a beautiful decorative stone which clads buildings all over Canada. It is the most famous of Canada’s ornamental building stones. Another reason to go on this field trip is to view over a dozen of different species of fossils which were first living creatures ranging from algae, worms and crustaceans which lived in worm tubes, star fish, gastropods (snails), nautiloids, and an amazing variety of corals ranging from large coral-heads to small solitary rugose corals (“horn corals”), to single chain and double chain corallites. So going on this field trip is an opportunity to learn about biological life which occurred many years ago in a tropical sea unaffected by mankind since we were not part of the scene in the Ordovician.
We first visited two historical buildings downtown which are clad in Tyndall Stone: the AGT building at 119-6 Ave., SW and the Bank of Montreal building on the Steven Avenue Mall. Then we spent an hour viewing ten blocks of Tyndall Stone in front of the Safeway Store in Kensington so we could see the fossils in five dimensions (from the top and from four sides). We then spent another hour at SAIT where Tyndall Stone clads the entire outside of the Senator Patrick Burns Building. I look forward to leading this field trip again next year for the AWA with a nice group of people.
Wainwright Dunes Adventure
With Cliff Wallis, on 04, June, 2022
A large group of eager hikers met at the trailhead early on Saturday morning. A short walk along a trail filled with birdsong led the group to the boundary of the Ecological Reserve. Just inside the reserve the group met a researcher studying moths and the rare chance to see a Polyphemus Moth up close! The hike continued through open aspen forest speckled with sunny yellow Buffalo Beans and across an enormous beaver dam. There were only a couple of wet feet as we carefully made our way across the slippery wood!
We explored a boggy area, where we found yellow lady slippers, and then continued rambling along game trails back onto drier ground.
As we climbed up into the sandy dunes we enjoyed the views and lunch on the crest of one dune. We continued along the dunes and were treated to an up close look at a Wolf Spider in his hole and some Sand Heather in bloom.
Lesueur Ridge Hike
with Heinz Unger, on 29 May, 2022
Despite the poor weather forecast for Sunday May 29, five intrepid hikers turned out for the loop hike up Lesueur Ridge. Although spring is coming late this year, the aspens were just leafing out in the brightest possible green, and the fescue meadows were greening up, too. There were still lots of prairie crocus in the shade and many bright Goldenbeans. Lots of short-stemmed shooting stars grew in abundance and we also saw some small mountain avens and a few yellow locoweeds.
The trail was steep but easy to walk because it was so dry. The hike down to the valley trail was equally steep, then followed by an easy walk through mixed woods and past gnarly old Douglas firs. And the views from the top were great, with lots of snow still on the mountains to the south and west, and dark rain clouds in the north. But the weather was actually quite nice, even a bit sunny, and only for the final 15 minutes there was a light drizzle to see the group back to the trailhead.
Unicorn hunt in the Whaleback
with Kevin Van Tighem, on 28 May, 2022
Eleven hikers joined trip leader Kevin Van Tighem, AWA adventures coordinator Lindsey Wallis and a happy six-year-old unofficial nature guide to explore part of the Bob Creek Wildland on May 28. This year’s slow spring made for easy walking as the trails were dry and, once we headed off-trail, the grass had only just begun to thicken. Evidence of wildlife was everywhere but we had to make do with a single sighting of some white-tailed deer as we headed up a creek and then began the long climb to the top of a foothills ridge. There were plenty of early flowers to distract us from the long uphill slog: balsamroot, alpine forget-me-not, shooting star, buffalo bean, cinquefoil, yellow and blue violets, kitten tail and many others.
Up top the group enjoyed a panoramic view from the Livingstone Range, Oldman River Gap and Bob Creek valleys east to the long forested swell of the Whaleback Ridge. It was a rare wind-free day: an added gift. The lunch stop was not far from an isolated hayfield in the valley below that almost became the site of an Amoco gas well back in the early 1990s. Had that well been drilled and proved productive, it likely would have triggered the development of roads, pipelines and other well sites all through that landscape but — thanks to the determined and principled efforts of groups like the Alberta Wilderness Association, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association, working in collaboration with area ranchers and long-time recreational users of the area — that threat was averted when Amoco surrendered its lease and the whole area was protected under Wildland Park and Heritage Rangeland status. As a result, we enjoyed two rarities as we ate our sandwiches among the wildflowers: an entire foothills landscape devoid of roads, and the grateful memory of a rare Alberta conservation victory.
The return trip was along a ridge crowned with wind-gnarled limber pines and Douglas fir trees, surrounded with the green spikes of newly-sprouted rough fescue and the intense colours of tiny wildflowers. We ended the hike as we had begun it, with a wobbly crossing of an un-bridged creek which most boots survived. Back at the cars the last flycatchers were still calling. It was a fine day with a fine group of people.
Botany, Birding and More: Exploring the Milk River Ridge
with Cheryl Bradley and Cliff Wallis, on 20 May, 2022
(story and photos by Lindsey Wallis and Chris Saunders)
When most of the group left the meeting place in Lethbridge in a severe storm featuring lashing rain and very strong winds, few thought this hike would go ahead. However, Cliff, our self-proclaimed “Sunshine Superman,” assured everyone the weather would change for the better. As the group drove south along Highway 4 the rain continued but after turning west and south on gravel roads it stopped.
Fourteen hikers and a stuffed wolf carried by our youngest naturalist set off to the south-southwest up the ridge from a point about four kilometres from the Taylor ranch house. This is in the eastern portion of the Milk River Ridge. There was no rain but a fierce wind was blowing from the north, making the right clothing essential. It has been a very dry spring in the area and the grassland plants were just beginning their spring growth. Along with the hike leaders Cheryl and Cliff, there were a number of other experienced naturalists in the group. As a result, there were plenty of sightings of plants and wildlife together with extensive discussion. One highlight was an “up close” view of a large porcupine seeking shelter from the wind in a clump of low bushes. A herd of deer were also spotted on a far ridge, silhouetted against the sky.
Lunch was held at an impressive viewpoint at the top of the Ridge, where the snow-covered Sweetgrass Hills in Montana could be seen clearly to the south east. After lunch, on the descent, there was a brief squall of ice pellets driven by a strong wind that drove the hikers back to the trailhead like horses to the barn. Amazingly, this was the only precipitation the group experienced during the hike.
On arriving back to the vehicles, an intrepid few drove further west to the Sandstone Ranch to search for the fuzzy-leaved purple jewels that are the rare hare-footed locoweed. The group combed gravelly slopes above the sinuous river valley and one appeared… and another… and another! A good colony of these threatened plants were found, as well as larkspur, flax and other hardy natives. With the sky clearing, a prairie falcon was seen making trips back and forth to what may have been a nest on the other side of a sandstone outcrop. The same cliffs held two other apparently disused raptor nests, as well as a colony of cliff swallows.
A glorious day in an ever-diminishing ecosystem that is so special in both the micro and macro views.
Climb Stairs and Cycle for Earth Day
with Chris Saunders, on 23 April, 2022
(thanks to Laszlo Jamniczky, AWA member and event participant, for the photos)
On Saturday April 23rd, the nearest Saturday to Earth Day, 18 participants set out to test their endurance skills against a course of outdoor staircases, with a series of short cycle rides in between. The age of the participants covered a broad range, from 3 years old to late seventies. The bikes used by the participants had a similar range from sleek lightweight racers to steady roadsters. Most of the participants arrived at the starting place on their bikes.
The course started at the Ukrainian Catholic church in Renfrew where there was a very large staircase to be ascended and climbed to kick things off. Group then cycled east along footpaths and quiet roads to do several more staircases in Renfrew. After that the route went south along the Nose Creek pathway and onto St Patrick’s Island where some unusual steps were climbed and descended at the “mound”. After the staircase at the Bridgeland LRT station the route took the group to couple of staircases in the south western part of Bridgeland. Then a lengthy cycle west along the Bow River pathway brought the group to the large staircase at the Calgary Curling Club. The group tackled the staircase successfully and then cycled up the path to the top of the bluff. Some tiredness was setting in at this point but most of the group continued on by cycling east across Centre Street to a staircase in Rotary Park. The final stretch was further east and involved a series of four staircases in Regal Heights each of which drop down to land near Edmonton Trail. Having completed that test, all that was left was a simple ride back to the Ukrainian church in Renfrew.
Throughout the course the event coordinator spoke to the group about AWA’s work and some of the challenges facing Alberta’s wilderness.The event was a success in that all participants enjoyed the event and a significant amount of money was raised for Alberta Wilderness Association through sponsorships and donations. The coordinator is considering holding a similar event next year in a different part of the city. Watch out for the posting in early 2023.
Crocus Hunt on Nose Hill
with Christyann Olson, on 24 March, 2022
Story by Tako Koning, photos from Karel Bergmann and Barbara Amos:
On March 24, 2022, Christyann Olson, AWA’s indefatigable Executive Director led a field trip to Nose Hill Park to hunt for crocuses. The group was a nice size, consisting of 15 attendees. But the purpose was more than just looking for crocuses. Indeed, this field trip was in memory of Margaret Main and Gus Yaki, two of AWA’s dedicated volunteers who have now passed – sadly they are no longer with us. The symbol of spring after a long cold winter – the appearance of crocuses meant so much to Margaret, Gus and Christyann that they traditionally had a friendly competition with the aim to see who could spot that very first crocus. And what better place in Calgary to spot crocuses is Nose Hill Park with its south-facing slopes blessed with invigorating spring sunshine.
As we walked up the slope from the parking lot, Tako Koning, a semi-retired geologist identified some interesting fossils hidden within the boulders marking the pathways. These boulders are likely from a quarry where the Paskapoo Formation sandstone was mined years ago. They have been dated as Tertiary in age, perhaps as old as 30 million years which is young in terms of geological age. The fossils included shells in what looked like oyster beds plus fossilized algae which are sometimes called stromatolites and bits and pieces of fossilized wood.
We then hiked up to a large glacial erratic known as the Nose Hill Erratic. This erratic consists of quartzite which means that it is a very hard, highly compacted sandstone which over the millennia transformed from sandstone into quartzite. Layers of silt and fine sand grains are clearly visible. Some of this erratic is smooth since buffalo rubbed against it when buffalo grazed on Nose Hill. It is part of the Foothills Erratics Train which extends from Jasper eastwards to Hinton and south to the Alberta-Montana border. Ice flowed southwards from Jasper during the last glaciation which occurred only 12,000 years ago. The erratics train originated from large landslides of quartzite on Mount Edith Cavell and other mountains in Jasper National Park. These quartzites have been age dated as Lower Cambrian with an estimated age of 500 million years, equivalent to ½ billion years old. For geologists like me, this adds to the thrill of visiting Nose Hill Park.
Karel Bergmann, a self-trained botanist, has held a lifelong passion for lichens and prairie flowers, and led the search for crocuses. For the first hour, no crocuses were spotted; comments began that perhaps we should have come one week later. We were all just a little disappointed but then just north and uphill from the large glacial erratic: voilà! Karel spotted the first crocus pushing its way out of the soil! The reaction was cheers and clapping of hands. Thereafter another half dozen crocuses were spotted. I somehow sensed that with the attendees there was this subconscious feeling that despite so many changes happening globally including the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s sudden horrible invasion of Ukraine, at least the Earth’s environment was still steady and the crocuses were budding as they always do in mid-March on Nose Hill Park.
Will this field trip be repeated again in the spring of 2023? You betcha! You can count on Christyann, Karel and I being there. And hereby we invite you the reader to join us next spring on Nose Hill Park!
Winter Hike on the Frozen Waiparous Creek in the Ghost Valley
with Heinz Unger, on 28 February, 2022
(story and photos by Peta Stuart, AWA member and event participant)
It’s your AWA trusty reporter, checking in after a great Alberta Wilderness Association Adventure along Waiparous Creek led by Mr Heinz Unger.
Our drive west toward this area afforded snow-capped Rocky mountain views; of particular note, the curiously-shaped Devil’s Head mountain. We had a sighting of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and passed the Jumping Pound plant flares tickling the sky.
Our destination, Waiparous Creek, is steeped in history. The First Nations considered this place an important winter hunting ground. According to the book Place Names of Alberta, the name Waiparous is a corruption of the Stoney Indian name meaning “Crow (Indian) scalp” (Karamitsanis 1992). The Simpson and Palliser Expeditions of 1841 and 1858 both mention the confluence of the Waiparous Creek and the Ghost River.
The Eau Claire (there is a Waiparous trail with this moniker) Lumber Company harvested lumber in this area in the 1920’s. Logs were flushed down the Waiparous Creek and Ghost River. Remains of the temporary log dams can be observed along Waiparous Creek.
Our hardy group of hikers donned ice cleats and filed behind Heinz along the (mostly) frozen river. Beautiful sandstone walls line the creek. The river ice sparkled under bluebird skies. On the way to see the confluence of Waiparous Creek and the Ghost River, we identified cougar (Felis concolor) prints in the snow. We also noted a stonefly adult (Plectoptera) wiggling across the snow in search of a mate. These ancient insects have been around for 300 million years.
The Waiparous Creek area is in the montane zone. The forest is mixed conifer – in particular white spruce (Picea glauca) – and a smattering of deciduous trees. We noted at least two kinds of juniper peeping from the snow; the prickly common juniper (Juniperus communis) and the creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis).
The moist banks of Waiparous Creek are a perfect home for the evergreen Stairstep moss (Hylocomnium splendens). Each branch along this feather moss main stem represents a year’s growth. We also noted the delicate dwarf scouring rush (Equisetum scirpoides) that grows alongside a natural spring; at first it looked like a patch of grass. We had good discussions comparing the Waiparous natural forest to a large tract of unfortunate Fire Smart forest that stretches far from human habitation.
Thank you to Kris for bringing up the rear! The Unger family treated us to a delightful end-of-adventure with mulled cider and sweets, overlooking a panorama of the Waiparous to the Rockies, and cohosted by a pair of ravens (Corvus corax). Keep this natural area safe!
Reference: Ghost River State of the Watershed Report, 2018
