Gravel Road Adventures

So, BFF and I went away for the weekend. He has this absolutely perfect book that shows (inaccurately, we learned) all of the back roads in Alberta. I told him to find a place in his book where we could camp, and he could drive on some new roads.



This post is PHOTO HEAVY! Consider yourself warned.

First leg is on a gravel road that runs through parts of Alberta that are heavy with coal and logging. Meaning we got to see some cool, giant dump trucks (the 6 year old boy inside of me was very excited) and also I had a panic attack for 2 hours straight.

Whitehorse Creek Provincial Recreation Area Campground. No services. All the scenery.HELLO DELILAH I LOVE YOU THANK YOU FOR GETTING US HERE SAFELY!

Remember how I wrote that this is essentially "coal country"? The campground is on the edge of an active coal mine, so all access is restricted and done beside this road. It was a weird combination of concerning and awesome. I contain multitudes.

The unimproved gravel road led up to this pretty cool spot above the treeline. We found some hikes online, but with no trail markers, we kind of just wandered in the SLEET for 30 minutes and then called it.

This area is historically important for its coal discoveries and activity as well. Before the Cheviot Mine opened, there were more interpretive areas (so says my coworker-friend JK). As it stands, there is still a cemetery that you can drive up to, and wander through if you are so inclined. A lot of ashes of folks from this area are scattered on the mountains. We found some up at the Cardinal Divide.

Hiking in the mountains any time of year means you need to be prepared for snow. We were prepared but not happy about it, so we turned around when the sleet started pelting us.

The views were A++.

As an "environmentalist", my insides were screaming at me with all of this development...but the adventurer was just glad for maintained roads/

I couldn't handle how babely I looked in my hiking gear, and also our neighbours are fricken HORSES PEOPLE! This is my favourite campground potentially of all times.

So...about the horses. This campground offers campsites for people who want to bring their horses. They have a little corral (or whatever they are called) at each site, and all of those spots were full all weekend. We encountered a large group on one of the trails that heads out from the campground. There were some kids on their ponies - yes, I died - and parents with beer (jealous!).

I can't remember what this trail was called. There is a distinct lack of signage in this area. We have no idea where the trail was for most of the time. Still fun.

Dan is one of my favourite humans. He is the best hiking partner for me, as he has way more experience than I do and he is totally willing to explain so many things to me. He is also very funny and hella handsome.

We stopped for snacks, and I was all like "I'm just gonna go over here and see where this path leads..." twenty minutes and exploring up a mostly dry creek bed. The rocks reminded me of something we saw in Iceland so I had to take a photo. Forever grateful for the timer on my phone.

Most of this hike was in a dry creek bed....but as I wrote before there were literally no signs so who knew where the hell we were going.

I stop for all bugs. ALL. BUGS.

Our campsite was practically on the bank of a sweet little river, creek thing. I don't think I'm a water sign, but putting my hot, swollen feet into the ice cold mountain water was so refreshing and powerful. Planning my retirement over here.

That blue bridge there is blocked off to all traffic as it leads you into the active mine site. I'm adventurous, but even I obeyed that sign.

I took this three (thick AF) books with me this weekend because I forgot how much Dan & I chat and connect on these trips. There was barely any moment to read, as we spent all weekend chatting about camping, future trips, and life and whatnot. Ummm, he's kind of my favourite.

We just sat at the fire on our stump-chairs (because we forgot to pack actual chairs) and TALKED. It was so wonderful. We made friends with our neighbour and drank a bottle of whisky and I couldn't have planned a better night.

Babes in the campground and BEARS on the trail! There was a lot of fresh signs of bear on the trail we hiked on Sunday. We clapped, and sang, and whistled, and didn't see any actual bears so it must have worked!

If you are looking for a bit of an adventure without heading into the back country, I definitely recommend this area. There are loads of lovely hikes, and fun places to explore.

xo

FURTHER READING
One of my favourite places (in the world) to explore is Jasper National Park, in Alberta. For all of my previous Jasper posts, click here.
More Adventure posts here.
Whitehorse Creek Provincial Recreation Area

July Long Adventure

Last weekend me, Delilah, and the boys headed out to Kootenay Plains on the David Thompson Highway for a long weekend camping adventure! Happy Canada Day!

Kootenay Plains is a group campground site that is literally right on the highway, but a lot of the campsites are tucked beside a rocky outcropping (a cliff? a mountain fingerling? I am not up on my geology terms...) so it is quiet and lovely. I mean, look at that view!

Gran bought the boys some dollar store bow & arrows, which all broke immediately. But with a little duct tape, Gran had them all back in commission. Note: this was the most fun thing the entire weekend. Below, you can see Evan in his power pose.

Day two, we decided on the Siffleur Falls hike, which is literally immediately across the highway from us. There are some really steep sections, but the boys were champs! Eventually you hit the gorge, with the river running below. Again, spectacular views both above and below.

My parents! It's been a really long time since we went camping together, so this was a big treat for everyone.

Relaxing with some G&Ts outside the cookhouse. BFF was in Red Deer for work all week, so it was completely amazing to have him come out with us! Also, he is the only one who knows how to set up the tarps...so....

We got one of the campsites that is nestled up against the rocks at the back of the campsite. Popular with rock climbers, BFF, Dad, Lucas & I attempted a skinny little goat path and made it to the top! You can see our cook shelter tucked in the trees at the bottom of the photo.

My boys! They had so much fun this weekend, playing Catan (so many games of Catan were played!), colouring (Evan was carrying this colouring book + a pink felt around for most of Saturday afternoon), chasing each other, making a fort out of the firewood, climbing rocks, and wrestling with Grandpa.

It was my sister's birthday on Saturday, so Evan & I spent some time picking wildflowers to make her a little bouquet! He presented it to her so perfectly, and there were only a few bugs on it.

Amy brought her own cake because she is the smartest person I know.

We actually were invited to be part of a larger group, connected via a friend of my Dad's. Kam (& his wife Jan) are avid mountain climbers, world travelers, volunteers, and just genuinely nice and smart people. I mean, Kam is "something else", but at least 92% awesome. We spent our last night sitting around the campfire with Dad, Kam and their friend Tyler telling dirty jokes.

Other info about this area...
- The closest town is Nordegg, and they have gas and most services. Next closest is Rocky Mountain House, which is larger, with more services. It's a good place to stop for a quick snack or rest on the way down. Saskatchewan Crossing and access to the National Parks is about 20km away. It's nice drive in to Lake Louise or up the Icefields Parkway if you are so inclined.
- This entire stretch is dark sky rated. We had a couple of cloudy nights (and also I was too tired to stay up past 11pm), but the star viewing is supposed to be very amazing here!
- It is BEAR COUNTRY PEOPLE! You have to be really careful with food storage, garbage, etc. Walk in groups, walk loudly, carry bear spray, that kind of thing. That being said I think it's been many years since anyone has reported a bear sighting in the campground.
- There are a lot of informal camping sites along the highway. In fact, you could pretty much pull over anywhere and set up for the night. And a lot of people do. The big lake (reservoir) just to the north of Koontenay Plains (Abraham Lake) is the most beautiful colour of turquoise, and there are always loads of people with their trailers and tents set up on its shore.


BFF & I are already talking about coming back in the fall...

Adventures in Scrapbooking

Still don't know what to write in these posts...I mean, I can't even remember the paper companies anymore. I am a terrible Design Team Member. Wait, I take that back. Don't fire me!

Photo taken April 16, 2016 at Medicine Lake in Jasper National Park.

Photo taken August ?? 2016, in The Magic Fucking Kingdom

Photo taken April 16, 2016 at Maligne Lake (duh) in Jasper National Park.