Added Twists

Just like in a relationship, when things get old, it's time to add some twists to freshen it up and keep it alive and that is exactly what I did for today's hike up Prairie Mountain.  I soloed this mountain many times, as recently as a few weeks ago and each of those times after visiting the summit, I descended my ascent route, which the majority of folks do.  The first twist of the day was to share this hike with others instead of soloing and I was happy to find out none of the others had descended the route I had planned for us.  

We reached the cairned and flagged summit after about 90 minutes of climbing.  We were early enough that there were only a few others off to the side sitting down for their visit.  The coast was clear for group and individual summit shots.  I normally take a photo of just the cairn and flag with Moose Mountain in the background and while that view look wonderful today, I added another twist to the day and went for a shot facing in the opposite direct.  

That cairn seems to be growing on a weekly basis.  This time around, there was no standing on the very top but instead threw in another twist and safely settled myself on the side for a summit shot.  A few large rocks became misplaced but I promptly put them back where they belonged.

What is a visit to Prairie Mountain without a photo of Moose Mountain.

Nice to see the snow disappearing over there!

Our early first lunch view.

The biggest twist of all came next and that was to begin our descent down the west ridge of Prairie Mountain.  I first did this route last September.  Since that time, the route has become more defined with additional flagging and the appearance of an obvious trail.  Once you find the cairn further along the ridge of Prairie Mountain which is your beginning point to descend, then it is clear and smooth sailing from there on in until you reach Prairie Creek Trail.  It was obvious others have discovered this new gentle route down as the trail is well worn now, yet we had that stretch of about 4 kms to ourselves today.  

This is where we came out of the meadow and intersected Prairie Creek Trail.  The next twist was to follow this trail to the right this time around to link up with Prairie Link Trail to add on extra distance and elevation, instead of turning left and making it only an 11 km loop.

The day was on the warm side with scattered white clouds.

Our view along Prairie Creek Trail.

We reached the bridge crossing Prairie Creek and found a nice spot for our second lunch.  Next it was time for our additional 200 meters of elevation along Prairie Link Trail, then reaching another junction where we hooked up with Powderface Creek Trail and followed it all the way back to the trail head.  It was wet and muddy in sections and in others spots, the creek had overflowed which meant we had to maneuver over a couple of creek crossings.

The weather turned out being much nicer then forecasted, this new route down the west ridge was more obvious then expected and the abundance of prairie crocuses and shooting stars were an added bonus.  With the added twists, plus the muches and mores and addeds, this turned out being a top notch day!   

SHOW OFF Kind of Day

Just imagine my surprise today when I joined up with some new folks to hike up to the Bull Creek Hills and found out that not a single one of them had ever been before.  I realized I would have the opportunity to show off one of my favourite stomping grounds.  This was to be my fifth time venturing into this area with each previous time covering different combinations of trails.  My hopes for today were to add yet another varied edition to that mix and with some promotion there was potential for that to happen.

One thing I did learn today is that I really need to practice with my SX40HS on cloudy, overcast days.  I have no bright scenery photos to show off today.   I half expected there to be snowy conditions to contend with, considering last Sunday's experience, but no battling this time, thank goodness.  (Note: click on any photo to enlarge it.)

The prairie crocus was in abundance.  

While many lived their day, lots of others were in their prime show off stage.

There is always lots to love about being "out & about", you just have to look for it and be open to it.

We eyed the summit of the highest of the Bull Creek Hills off in the distance.  We took a poll of how many wanted to go for it and all were in favour.  In no time at all, we stood on it!  It was an ideal location to dine, no wind and we had wonderful scenery.  But. before I joined the others to dine, I took care of obtaining my summit shot. Here I am, at the summit!  Am I a show off?  Admittedly yes!

When I saw another friend make a snow angel, I wanted to make one too!

This was about as much snow as we had to contend with today.

The patch was barely big enough.

Promotion time!  In the four times previously here, I wasn't able to include a combination of reaching both the true summit of Bull Creek Hills at one end and The Boundary Pine at the other end.  I shared some information about The Boundary Pine and the book The Buffalo Head.  While it is just a tree, it is famous and has history and I enjoy visiting it.  I tried to capture a photo of it that is similar to the photo shown in the link above.

I was thankful for the opportunity to show off The Boundary Pine to the others today.  

Once I showed my love for the tree, a few more did the same.  

Thank you to my new friend for snapping this photo.     

photo credit to Jean C

My last photo of the day as we wound our way down the last stretch.

While the promise of sunshine never did come to fruition, it is always a bright and cheerful time being with fun folks playing out in the mountains.  Today was an accomplishment being the first time reaching the highest point of the Bull Creek Hills and visiting The Boundary Pine all in the same day.  It is days like this that make me feel like I am "on top of the world"! 

Snowy Sunday

With a much less than stellar forecast to hit the hills on Saturday, I planned a trek for Sunday just to mix things up and to take the opportunity to try a break in the routine of being "out & about" only on Saturdays every weekend.  Having a bone dry road west and then south for approximately 55 minutes, arriving at the Dawson Equestrian Area to see it clear and dry except for a medium size puddle in the middle and then beginning the hike on a dry summer-like trail, all contributed to having high expectations that we would be enjoying a summit visit today on Cox Hill and even be able to take in some of Jumpingpound Ridge.  

About ninety minutes into our ascent, we still believed we would reach our summit but maybe not go beyond it.  Then, after a good two hours of ascending, those expectations we had at the trail head came to a screeching halt and we even questioned would we be able to summit today.   We went from dry trail, to a wet trail, to ankle deep snow, then knee deep snow, then at times it was thigh and hip deep.

But oh my gosh, the scenery was so pretty!

Moose Mountain off in the distance!

We reached the open area where we could access the slope up to the summit of Cox Hill.  We could see the indent where the large switchback was.  That switchback looked doable but getting to it was questionable as were the conditions on the slope.  Time now was not in our favour as we ate up too much of it already ascending through the deep snow.  I made the decision that where we stood right now was our summit for today.

We made our way towards the more open area where the snow seemed not as deep and supportive.  The sun felt hot, there was no wind, the views were spectacular and this turned out being a fine spot for lunch and photos.  I secured my high spot shot for the day then settle down for a bit to eat.

The ripply snow and scattered fluffy clouds pair up to make a great scenery shot.

After lunch, we began our hike back from where we game but along the way took a detour to a very small open high point to play.  We built a family of snowmen and donned them in our gear while we visited with them.  Maybe we should have made them facing the other way so they could eye Moose Mountain out there in the middle! 

The balance of the descent went quickly through, now, slush and mud but even that didn't dampen my spirits.  The sun shone and it was very warm!  A precious gift was discovered by a new friend which brought big smiles and a hug to be shared.  

"Embrace Today" 

I did!

"Embrace Today" Lost

Lately, I have been thinking lots about "Embrace Today"!  I forgot about it, and I now realize it has not been with me for many, many months.  In the past, it had been with me every time I was "out & about" and now I miss it.  I was not sure where it went, I could not remember a specific time when it was no longer with it.  I want it back!  There is so much meaning to "Embrace Today"to just let it be gone forever.  

Today was the perfect day to go in search of where it could possibly be.  I first racked my brain, trying to remember a sequence of events.  No luck!   I pondered, when in time did I start feeling something was missing when I was "out & about?" Still, no luck!  I really wanted to find it, I need it back in life, so went searching.  I began searching and finally, EUREKA!  I FOUND IT!  When I saw it sitting there in that container, it all game back to me.  I had wanted to pass "Embrace Today" along to another adventurer so left it behind on this day. 

Now is the time to get "Embrace Today" back into my life!  It is almost like a new beginning, a reason to find new ways to embrace every day.  I selected the perfect rock that could bare the sentiment, then chose new bright, colorful shades that almost shout out to you.  

How could you not "Embrace Today" when you see this?  

A new beginning!

Stay tuned!

Rest = Reward

Yesterday was a big day full of doing nothing but being lazy, causing me to wake this morning feeling fresh as a daisy.  There was no way that freshness and daisiness was going to waste.   To help get out the door early, I opted to grab snacks from the cupboard and fridge for munchies instead of taking time to prepare a grand sandwich with accompaniments.  I donned what was easiest to reach from my closet instead of picking through my wares to put together a matchy matchy outfit.  

This was the earliest I have ever left home to hike up Prairie Mountain.  Stony was deserted, the 1 had scattered travellers as did all other roadways.  There was a large selection of stalls to choose from once I arrived at my destination's trail head.  From this I knew the trail would be quiet as would the summit.   Before even beginning the hike, I felt rewarded.  

The trail was clear of ice and snow and was dry.  Crocuses lined a portion of the treed trail.  Wind on the summit was non existent and it felt like a mid summer day.  Indeed, these are all rewards. 

I secured my summit shot then made a special placement. 

The trail beyond the summit looked inviting so I accepted the invitation.  At the end of the trail, you could not help but admire Moose Mountain.  Two friends were summiting that Mountain today.  It was 10:04 when I took this photo, so they would not have reached the Lookout yet. 

Upon my return to the summit cairn for snacks, I received the best reward of the day.  A group had discovered my placement, opened it and were sharing it around.  We chit chatted then we all carried on with our day.  I checked out the view one more time before turning my back to it.  The sun and clouds created great shadows on the greenery.

On the descent, I ran into old friends and made a new friend.  I even beat the May long weekend traffic heading home.  I question,  if I had not rested like I did yesterday, would today have played out differently and not have been full of all these rewards?  I am so gad I rested and I am thankful for the rewards!

Boosting & Building

It took almost a week to plan a hike for today.  I really wanted to have something to show for the first day of our Victoria Day long weekend.  It all started with a Monday Musing, where should I go!  I spent an hour Tuesday Trying to find out trail conditions!  Then passed time on Wednesday Wondering what will the forecast be! My Thursday Thinking was go beyond now that the gates are open!  On Friday Finalized a plan! 

Solo Saturday
Nihahi Ridge 

Two goals have unexpectedly cropped up so I figured why not make the best of the situation and twist them so they assist me in growing as an adventurer.  Goal #1 = build my endurance level so I am back to 100% again.  Goal #2 = boost my confidence level for when I am out and about.  

My expectations were that hiking Nihahi Ridge would boost & build!

After passing the campground, the view opens up.

I was able to cover the long, flat, straight section fairly quickly.  The ascending portion through the trees was at a slower pace.  At not even 10:00 am yet, it was very warm and humid which contributed to my already ascending slower pace.  It was in the meadow area where I got a clear idea of where I was headed.  I had completed this hike once before a few years ago, but no part of it was familiar.  

I knew of only two folks being ahead of me and you can see one of them half way up on the ridge in the photo below.  I was happy for them to be there in front of me.  With this hike being so close to the campground and with reported dry conditions, I knew many others would be along later and that made me happy too.  I did not want to be somewhere all alone when boosting and building.  This ascending stretch was great for building my endurance level. 

Now came time for true boosting!  

I found the diagonal crack.

Time to scramble!

I needed to get up to that flat section at the top.

With no one to hold my hand, or push me or pull me, I did it!

Easy!  Breezy!

The true summit of the south part of Nihahi Ridge was at that top point on the right where those two folks are sitting in the photo below.  Yes, those two black dots are the two folks.  But today where I stood now,  looking up there, was to be my summit.  The sky was ominous as I looked in all directions.  Rain and thunderstorms were in the forecast and I didn't know if I could make it up there and back quickly enough.  

The sky view in front of me!

The sky view behind me!

One thing I knew I could do quickly was get my summit shot.  Once that business was taken care off, I made my way back down the scramble section slowly, once again all alone with no one to hold my hand to push me or pull me,  then hiked along the Ridge to a place where I could take cover if need be.  

By the time I made it to the safe section, the dark clouds cleared and some blue appeared.  I hadn't had anything to eat yet, so this was the perfect time and place to dine.  Today's menu consisted of an avocado & tomato basil chicken sandwich, apple slices dipped in lemon juice and a honey almond energy bar.  For desert I went with a few strawberries.  

Many folks passed by while I was dining and savouring the view.   A plane passed by too.  I always look up when I hear a plane and I did this time also, only to catch it out of the corner of my eye well below me.  I guess you know you are truly high when the plane is below you.

Feeling very happy with today's boosting and building, it was time to head home!

I'm glad to report I am making progress on all fronts! 

It takes lots of self-talk to get out there and do it!  

At times, I feel like just forgetting it all!

But where would that get me!

Not where I want to be!

Which is...

Out and About with strength and confidence!