Sun, Jun 11 2023 - Diamond Valley - Whaleback Hike (View Original Event Details)
| Event Coordinator(s): |  |
Jim B, Susan Ch
|
| Participants: | | Susan Ch, Patricia D, Jean R, Wouter D, Lorna J, Siri M, Helen Robertson, Andrea C, Patricia D |
| |
Write Up:It was with some trepidation that those of us driving out from a very
smoky Calgary headed out but the skies were clearer to the south. I
heard that the Whaleback used to be practically trail free but the
area we started from had very defined ATV trails. As soon as we could
we got off those and found a lovely forest trail with enormous trees!
We them climbed to a ridge where we found some very sad looking Balsam
root plants - the main reason for the hike. Turns out that they were
in full bloom a few weeks ago due to the hot weather. We did find a
few better specimens and an area which would have been a glorious
carpet of yellow. Instead we had a pink flower day - lots of prickly
roses, sticky geraniums, Parry's Townsendia and the darkest pink
Windflowers that I have ever seen. As the smoke was drifting in at
lunch and we could hear thunder we headed back to the vehicles along a
lovely undulating ridge. Eagle eyes spotted a snake close to the
parking area. Our car of 4 also saw a mama moose and large kid cross
the road in front of us on the way back to the highway.
It was a lovely hike in an area that I have never been to before.
Stats - 8km and 320m of cumulative elevation.
