Sun, Sep 25 2016 - King Creek to the Sacred Stoney Trees  (View Event Details) Event Coordinator(s): (To see who coordinated the hike, log in to the Member Area) Participants: (To see who hiked, log in to the Member Area)

Write Up:
In July I had the best hike in seven years with the PMH. Five of us joined Lynn Haggar to explore King Creek, an unmaintained trail in Kananaskis. Lynn had said that it would be an adventure - and so it was. Immediately, at the start, was the first of seven creek crossings on narrow, wobbly tree trunks. Had I looked at pics of this place I might have forgone this experience! The terrain is boulders, rocks and stones - and water. There were several heaps of fallen trees, brought down by floods, to get over. Being a little disabled, I was very glad of help, mainly from Bob (my husband) but from others too, pulling me over trees, logjams, branches, boulders - and across the creek again and again. Rounding a corner, hanging on to a rock face, we came to the canyon - such a magnificent sight! The canyon is narrow and the cliffs, sheer, spectacular, grey and gold, towered above us, glinting in the sunshine. A big hill came into view and I thought, good, it must be lunchtime then we'll turn around. But no! We had to climb the hill. Going up it appeared to be nearly vertical - very suitable for mountain goats! Lunch at the top. Then we climbed up a bit more to a silent, spiritual spot of early significance, the Sacred Trees. The tree trunks are wrapped in prayer flags, some very old, some newer (see the 2014 Unusual Winning Entry Photo by Claudia Barrett in the Spring 2015 Trail Talk). Fortunately there was an easy way down this hill- 'Why didn't we come up this way?' 'No adventure!', said Lynn. On the way back down the canyon, spotting dippers, I failed to take the 'adventure' seriously. I came over some rocks and trees on my bottom, rolled up my pants and paddled through the last three creek crossings. The group kindly waited for me to dry my feet. Lynn is so knowledgeable about every place she takes us, here pointing out fossils and the changes in terrain over the years. The hike was a delight! - Amber Adams