Elk Island National Park

This past weekend The Lady wanted to go to Edmonton area and asked me if there was any interesting place to see. I suggested Elk Island National Park so we saddled up and headed north early morning. We knew about the wildfires in north but the forecasts all suggested better weather for the time. We have not been far away from the city that a sever thunderstorm started. It was so fast that I found myself in no situation rather than pulling over and waiting for the storm to pass. Most of the drivers did the same. I guess we waited for 15 to 20 minutes and started again.

You could see the smoke over the entire area though. Not having the G. P. S., as it had been stolen from the car almost a month prior to the trip and that is another story which I might tell later, it was a bit hard to find the way to the park. We headed east as we reached Edmonton city limits and took Anthony Henday Dr. We were hoping to get to AB-21 and head north from there but soon we realized we had gone more than we should have and had passed the damn road. I made a U-turn then and headed north after hitting AB-21. As we reached Highway # 16 or Yellowhead Highway and turned toward east we knew we were pretty much safe until we get to the park. For that reason as soon as we saw a big sign with a Bison and Government of Canada logo we though we had reached our destination. But boy was I wrong? Yes. It appeared that where we had turned was facilities of Cooking Lake(!) while the sign suggested something different. I parked to look around and check the maps and at the time an old Gentleman in Jeans and Cowboy hat approached me and asked what I was looking for. I explained to him that we were there for Elk Island National Park and it appeared that the sign has been put on a wrong spot and misleads passengers and strangers(!) but the park entrance was just a few kilometers away at the north side of Yellowhead Highway.

We tasted a few fistful of wild raspberry. They were much smaller than the commercial ones you see in supermarket and not as tasty. In other places, I guess including B. C. I have found bigger, juicier and tastier ones. Maybe from a different kind

We were happy that we had found the park eventually. I guess it was 12:30 or even past that time when we paid the admission and parked at the parking lot of Tawayik Lake. This is supposed to be a fun but long hike to go around the lake and in fact it was not bad. There was no one but us on the trail at the time. Just when we were close to where the two lake of Tawayik and Little Tawayik meet each other a guy showed up and passed us. The trail is really nice and has Raspberry shrubs at both sides. We tried a few. As well there are nice wildflowers. It took us almost 2 hours to reach the spot I just mentioned above and according to the park's brochure we would have another 3 hours to go, had we taken the trail but we rested beside the trail and had our sandwiches there. The Lady was tired and it was a bit hot so we decided to take the trail and go back instead of continuing the loop. 

Our disappointment was that we had neither seen an Elk nor a Bison but we were not able to spend more time. In fact at the rest spot, where we sat for our sandwiches, we were able to locate tiny brown dots which could be Bison(!) but we figures it would probably take up to 2 hours just to reach there assuming they would not relocate. So simply headed back and got to the car.

There are several different types of tiny and beautiful flowers in the park

It was the end of hiking day for us and we wanted to go a hotel, shower and rest. Finding our way to Edmonton was not hard. We had a reservation at Four Points by Sheraton at Gateway and we found the hotel easily although we didn't have, I repeat again, a G. P. S.. I should probably have a post for the hotel because it is a nice, quiet and clean place. Generally I would say that Elk Island National Park should be a nice place to visit but you need more than a few days if you want to see heard of animals and have a few nice hikes. I guess the park is overlooked because of Jasper National Park although it's much closer to the city. If I get another chance I would definitely go back to discover more of that. 

(Photo, top: Tawayik Lake in Elk Islands National Park. This is taken from the beginning of Trail # 9 or the trail which goes around the lake and we did have of it. For the first time in Canada I see the trails are numbered. This is actually a very good system and is widely used in the US by National Park Services. Interesting thing about the name of the lake or lake as the little lake is named the same: Tawayik is a Native term meaning half-way. The Natives would know that they are half-way to their destination, when they got to the lake year and years ago. Would give them a sense of security!)

Mt. Allan (Kananaskis)

I'm happy, not proud, because it has nothing to do with pride, it's just a challenge, that I reached the second summit of this year just past weekend: Mt. Allan in Kananaskis. And why am I happy? Because achieving a summit gives a great sense of accomplishment. In addition to that it is very frustrating to wake up early in the morning of Sat. or Sun, drive at least for hour and a half, gear up and go up for at least 2 hours or more and not being able to reach the summit. This has happened a few times so far including the following attempts in the current year:

• March in Arizona a failed attempt to Flat Iron Mountain due to extreme heat which was the result of late start. 
• April in Alberta another failed attempt, this time to reach the summit of The Wedge in Kananaskis due to extreme ice and snow. Bad timing was selected but it was a good exercise. 
• Early July. A good hike up The Wedge again but was not able to recognize the trail in rocky area and climbed back. 

Anyways my original plan was to start the hike very early but due to family commitments I reached the trail-head almost at 10:15. I checked a fella who looked a nice guy just to be sure that I was not going the wrong way and together we figured out, after looking at the maps and notes, that what is called Hidden Trail is the path which will take me up to Centennial Ridge and then the summit of Mountain Allan. Although it was late but I didn't see anyone on the trail until I left the jungle and the steepness increased. That's where I noticed two girls were going up. They didn't have any backpack or anything but they said they were heading up to the summit as well. I left them after a short chat and enjoyed the beauty of wildflowers and nature around me. But the joy was not without pain! This was were I had read about it: Where the bugs attack you! I was surprised as how disturbing these bugs were! They would not go away by any means. Eventually I took out my bug spray out and sprayed a few times. It helped a little but not as much as I had expected. I thought the flower-bedded area is what that attracted them but then why would they go to humans instead of sucking the nectar out?! The good is they almost disappear as soon as you reach the main reach and the sign for the ridge is the meteorological instruments that Government of Alberta has installed. From the ridge you have a rock/pinnacle garden in front of you and the route is easy until you have almost half an hour to the summit. 

Red Paintbrushes were everywhere in Mt. Allan trail and together with other wildflowers gave a special beauty to the route

Before I get to the last half an hour of the hike, I would like to mention that I encountered 3 other parties on my way up to the summit rather than the two girls that I have already mentioned. The girls never continued. I guess they realized that they needed a little more stuff or something like that. Then there was a group of 5 or 6 people, comprised of 2 women and a few kids. The stupid thing is that the women were chatting and looked like were walking in a shopping mall while the kids were wandering around unsupervised! The fact that these idiots don't understand is anything could happen in mountains. From a loose rock that you step on and fall to a sudden thunderstorm which might hit you by a lighting. This actually was not the first time I saw these useless human-like creatures. I saw similar ones in Grand Canyon and Moose Mountain but what can I do/ Idiots are everywhere. Then there was a small group of two and another group comprised of 4 teenagers. The old-timers of firstly mentioned never made it to the top but the teenagers where coming up when I was heading down but they were struggling really badly. 

Now let's leave others to themselves with their selfies and chats and talk about the last half an hour of the hike: It was really hard the last 30 minutes of the trip. I was tired and thirsty and I had this Slept Steepness or Hidden Steepness ahead of me. I had been walking and going up for the past 3 hours and it was hot. I continued dragging myself the last part until I reached the summit. From the summit I was able to see Highway No. 1 but the smoke over the valleys limited the visibility and hid most of the beauty. At the time and for the first time I had to sit, drink a little water and chow on a small piece of Ritter Sport(!) but I made sure that my rest did not take more than 10 to 15 minutes. 

Tran on the east side of the summit. That could be a good spot for wildlife photography

I had lost so much moisture and my mouth was so dry that I barely could mix the chocolate pieces with saliva and get them down but considering the forecast and the clouds which were accumulating I decided to head down before thunderstorm starts. I kept a good speed on the way down but it felt much longer than I had anticipated. There was nothing much on the way down, compare to going up except that I saw a kind of Grouse on the trail and several good photography that I used them all. My descend took a total of 3 hour which in compare to my ascend was only half an hour less. The total hike took 6.5 hours which is not bad. 

On the way back I though I was very lucky because as soon as I left Highway No. 40 and hit Trans-Canada Highway the thunderstorm started! but the good luck didn't last long. The construction on Highway # 1 eastbound had caused a traffic jam which cost me at least 40 minutes but at last I was happy that I had made it to the summit, enjoyed the beauty of the nature and achieved a good timing. I was also happy that the rain would help to clear the smoke and maybe put out the fire. 

(Photo, top: Highway No. 1 and part of town of Canmore from summit of Mt. Allan. You can compare it with the same photo I took from the summit of the Middle Sister)

Rose and Crown

We had a few ticket for a Budweiser Stampede Party to Rose and Crown so we went there around 18:00. It was hot and sunny and only a few people in. That was my first time in the place but realized that from my previous drive-by. Got a Budweiser Stampede edition which was a nice design of can and enjoyed. Other fellas showed up and we decided to get a Hamburger. So we went to the smoking grill. The Hamburger was not bad but no tomato, pickle or anything else. Just Ketchup and Mustard was available as well as radish. Enjoyed it though. 

Few songs was played by a band which was nice and we took the second and third trip for Beer and Hamburger. 

Budweiser Stampede 2015 edition can

At the end I believe I ended up eating 4 Hamburger and 3 Beers but I was fine. You know what people do when they find themselves by the grill and cooler of beer. The only difference here was that we didn't have to pay. So it tasted even better when it was free! We had a glimpse at the inside of the bar and it was nice but we spent the whole time out. People started to filling in when we were leaving. We had enough food and drink and sitting would have not helped so we decided to walk back to the vehicle and drive home. 

(Photo, top: Entrance to Rose and Crown from its yard, from 4th St., SW)

Stampede 103

I have to admit that at first I didn't want to go to Stampede this year but when The Lady insisted and I went I really enjoyed it. It was quite fun and it could be even better. We first started from Stampede Parade which was held on last Fri, and I believe they had shorten its route because after leaving 6th Ave., they took 10th St. instead of their regular which used to be 11th. I guess we spent as long as probably 45 minutes or more and that was excellent.

On Sun. we decided to use the opportunity of Family Day and although it was a bit crowded in the morning, it went very well. The reason that Stampede gets very busy on Family Day is its free breakfast which attracts all refugees, welfare, Value Village and similar people. Some come early just to get the return stamp but anyways we didn't mind them. 

Barbecued Turkey Legs are among the favorites in Stampede and quite costly too

A new arena has been built in Agriculture Center and I guess they now perform some of the animal shows in that area. We watched the shepherd dog and sheep show (whatever its official name is) and a few of carriage running ones. They were OK. I was there mainly for The Lady. 

At noon we decided to get a taste of Stampede so we tried a Roast Beef Sandwich from the same place we had tried a few years ago, maybe the last time we were there, 2 to 3 years back. The sandwich is expensive like many other food in Stampede but that was OK. 

We took a break and returned after a few hours of rest with the hope that we could make it to fireworks but we were too tired and ended up taking a few photographs and eating a Barbecued Turkey Leg. For me who makes Turkey Dinner in oven and it actually turned out to be very good, it was not something special particularly when you have to pay $17 for a leg but we enjoyed the taste. I remember back to 2006 or maybe earlier we were surprised as why we had to pay $8 for a leg but we paid this time just to taste it and that was good. We were tired so we left and decided to see firework another day. So if you haven't been to Stampede yet, go. It's fun for all sorts of people. This year we didn't try Nashville North but seemed very crowded. What was a bit surprising this year was number of barbecue stands. There was one side of the exhibit which at least 6 or seven food stands were providing all healthy foods of Stampede! From Hamburger and Turkey Leg to Hot Dog, Corn Dog, Pork Belly Wrapped in Bacon and other great stuff but we limited ourselves only to what I indicated above.

(Photo, top: Cowboys are riding Appaloosa on Stampede Parade in Downtown Calgary)

No Luck with The Wedge

After I injured my ankle the Fri. before and wasted a weekend, I decided to compensate and reach the summit of The Wedge that we had attempted earlier with The Chef but I failed again! I set the alarm for 05:05 hours while Fitbit was set to 05:00. The wristwatch's alarm went off and I woke up. I didn't feel very determined and comfortable to go but started getting dressed and that was when Fitbit silent alarm went off! Either there's a problem with this device or it's clock is behind, compare to my wristwatch. I grabbed my stuff and drove toward Kananskis.

I was at the pond at 07:00 and shortly after that I started the hike. There was no other vehicle parked. I didn't even have to look for the trail-head this time and easily hit it. The trail looked completely different this time due to vegetation and wildflower grow. It looked like I was walking on a completely different terrain!

Wildflowers alongside the trail and on the hills are so beautiful

I felt tired as the night before I had not have a good sleep but kept dragging me upward! The higher I got, the more beautiful the trail got until I went: Wow! The variety of shape and colour of the wildflowers was just incredibly beautiful. I was so glad that I had come but the trail felt harder. It could have been because I was alone this time. After almost 2 hours I reached the rocky part of the mountain where the trees were finished and the scramble would soon started. I sat down, something I had never down in a hike and drank some water a very small piece of chocolate while studying the way up. The beginning of trail was quite obvious so after a 10 minutes of rest I started going up or 

better to say going around the mountain with the hope that it takes me up to the summit.

The sky looked very beautiful in the day

The trail was not bad regardless of a few loose rocks that I had to be careful with but I wasn't gaining much elevation. After almost half an hour I realized that the trail is fainted and I didn't know where I had to go. This could be an excuse but the rocks looked very steep and there was not even a soul around(!), I was tired and confused as well I though The Lady was waiting for me to take the vehicle back so she could go shopping. All the mentioned combined together caused me to climb back. There was no one coming up, all the way down until I get to the parking lot. My knees hurt a little bit but I enjoyed the wildflowers and scenery all the way to the bottom. I reach back to the vehicle shortly before 12:00 which made the entire length of hike a total of 05:00 hours including the breaks and moments I stopped for photography. Will I go back to reach the summit again? Yes. I very much like to do that but I will not go unless I find the route as I do not want to waste any tine up there again. This is what happened to me last year when I attempted Grotto Mountain. My final attempt which got me to the summit was the 3rd one but that was really good. I have to make the summit of The Wedge this time.

(Photo, top: The Wedge is seen shortly after the trees are finished and you would have to start scrambling shortly after this slope)

The Wall

I was walking besides a part of Crowchild Tr. and got the chance to get really close to the wall the Municipality has put up to protect the nearby residences from the continuous noise of the road. I don't know how efficient this wall is. The residents of the neighbourhoods close to such major roads should say but getting very close gave me this chance to realize that they are not concrete walls unlike I had thought originally. 

The first impression someone might get is that the municipality has put of concrete walls but this kind of wall is very heavy so would have been very expensive to build and install, had they have used them but a good close up shows they are made of a kind of pressed material maybe pressed wood chip. If that is the material then I assume they are good noise barriers but planting trees is another good sound reflector but they need to be really dense. That was my observation today! Noise is a real problem in the city and one of the reasons that I hate Downtown, particularly in summer that you have to leave the windows open, is the annoying noise.

(Photo: A close-up of part of noise-proof wall alongside Crowchild Tr. in Calgary. Cut and chipped material could be easily seen. This kind of wall is seen around a few other major roads of the town, including Highway # 2 to south and Highway # 1 to west after C. O. P., etc.)