Water (King Creek Canyon, 2007)

by Darryl Darwent

(originally unpublished)

I was thinking today of that age-old game Rock-Scissors-Paper. Anyone who has played knows that Rock wins over all the others. I think they should include Water as a fourth element. Trekking through King Creek Canyon one only has to see what a force it can be in transforming and beautifying a landscape.

Water is the great equalizer. Without it nothing grows. So it is a life force. It is also energy. In torrents it can sweep away and create anew. And another character of water is its patience. Oh, I guess running water has no time to stop and observe the glint it brings to a rock as it passes over with the Sun high at noon. Who knows. Maybe because of the water cycle that same drop has a chance to go through the same valley again and again until it gets it right.

Does that sound too Eastern for you (and I don't mean Tor-rawna)?

King Creek Canyon is such a place where the water flows and transforms all year round. It is probably accurate to say that with each year that passes something changes. But, without repeated visits, and good study, the average hiker would miss what had occurred. Perhaps a new fissure was created due by the expanding pressure of a winter’s ice. Maybe a limestone wall collapsed or a mature tree that was just clinging to the upper rim tumbled down. Now a home for wildlife was created or lost, water is diverted or completely unaffected or it just continues to go on, over, through where it has done the same for thousands of years.

GGEH hiked though King Creek Canyon on Sunday July 29. There were ten of us in the group: the Veenstra family, Dick and Ruby Klumpenhower, Marlene Juss and her dog, Tony, Malcolm and Ginny Juss and myself. We arrived at the trailhead around ten thirty in the morning. We weren’t certain of what we could attempt in the time we had. Some thought about reaching the ridge, while others were just willing to see where we were after several hours. We quite aware that the temperatures forecasted would have a great effect on our outcome. With the range predicted to be from the upper twenties to low thirties Celsius, we had chosen the Canyon for the shelter of its wall in giving merciful shade. Any attempt to the ridge would draw us out of the blessed coolness and drain us of our energy (oh, but the views to be had!).

Leaving the trailhead, which is within hearing distance of Hwy 40, we started moving upstream. No sooner then coming around one bend we were compelled to make a creek crossing using some felled timber. This would only be one of many to come.

There was some people who managed to keep their feet dry. We won't name names. But it should be pointed out that there were a few who took it upon themselves to help others stay dry. Malcolm Juss was one who positioned himself at many crossings so that people kept their balance.

There are are also some people also like to show off. Yeah, that me on the left. We just had a great day.

Mt. Yamnuska

By Darryl Darwent

On July 7, 2007, Malcolm and Ginny Juss and myself ascended Mount Yamnuska. This imposing mountain is located west of Calgary, AB near Seebe on the Trans-Canada Highway. Its sheer knife-like limestone wall rises 500 feet above the Bow Valley.

The weather was overcast as we left the city, with a temperature around a 20 degrees. Upon cresting Scott's Lake Hill and looking toward our destination we could see that high cloud had settled in. We didn't know what we could expect once we got there. The forecast had stated possible thunderstorms, but the weather report from Nakiska wasn't current when we set out. We pressed on.

We arrived at the trailhead at 9:30 AM. We started our ascent through the aspen trees. We spotted many wildflowers in the grasses along the trail. Somewhere on the web, a blogger wrote that trails themselves are not too much to be admire; that the destination is the goal. I would have to disagree. I possessing knowledge of plant life and how they relate to their environment one can quickly appreciate the beauty and diversity of the trail. We often stopped to admire the harebells, lilies, brown-eyed Susan's, and wild fragrant roses; to take pictures of them. We noted dusky coloured juniper berries, horsetail growing near a creek, strawberries and even some Saskatoon's. In all you might say that June is wildflower month in Southern Alberta, and look at these specials...

Initially the written guide we had indicated our goal was a ridge. Kind of jokingly Malcolm and I teased Ginny about going to the peak. I should know Malcolm better by now, from all the hiking I have done with him that what gets discussed in the parking lot can become the objective. I have called him in the past my mountain Shepherd that I do not want. Although, earlier in the week I had discussed with others about wanting to reach a mountain top. And in reflection I now feel for Ginny who was sandwiched by these two guys who were talking something totally different than agreed upon. We took the Eastern Approach, see Topographical map that takes the hiker behind the larger mass and above a valley. By our second hour we moved past treeline and began scrambling. We had to take to handholds at several points and go through a needle-like aperture. Mostly it was an easy climb.

As we near the top, Malcolm kept encouraging us to continue. I don't know that I ever wavered. We had done The Plain of Six Glaciers a couple of years before, which I found challenging just for the sake of elevation. Even if this was just as hard, the excitement of reaching the top gave me just enough motivation to accept his urgings. It was almost with an anticlimax that at noon we came to the top and in view of outlier Y03, a spire that had been in our cross-hairs (or was it the other way around) through the whole upward journey. A party ahead of us had already been to the wall and now were making their way higher. We moved into the area they had vacated to peer over the edge. I, not being so daring as Mal, hung back a half a mete or so. It was breath-taking. Ginny would later remark that it was the "glory of God" to be where we are and to see what we were seeing. We found a nearby perch that had the Bow Valley to our backs and a shallower valley facing us. Here we ate our lunch. Malcolm feeling a bit more adventurous headed upwards along the rim to the next peak. Hereto, it appeared he had an easy go of it. Other parties came into our vicinity, including one group consisting of about six people in their mid-twenties. They followed a ledge along a parapet of stone. While on the eastern side there was steep incline of uneven rock; in front of them was nothing but air. And particularly for the women in this group they seemed to be taking a stroll in the mall back and forth along this narrow shelf.

Watching this spectacle, nearly in mid-bite of a piece of cheese, I was frozen to do anything. I feared for them. It would have taken only an updraft or a slip of a stone for peril to prevail. there would have been nothing anyone could of done. for as fast as their legs may have taken them I remain doubtful they could have been saved. The fact that they left without incident was grateful, if only for peace to restore to my being. Later, in the evening, I experienced the sense of falling over that cliff or of they doing the same when I tried to go to sleep. Very unsettling.

We stayed on top for about an hour. During our descent we came upon people making their way up. Several of whom we talked with about how bus

y the trail was and of other routes ; while with one person we were informed where scree could be encountered -- to which we humorously noted it didn't matter for we probably didn't know our scree from our schist. To our befuddlement we encountered people who had their Ipod buds in their ear, and one chap even had a radio playing out of his backpack. It seems incongruous that you would be in such peaceful circumstances and need that kind of aural stimulation.

As apprentice shepherd I took t he lead going down, and in doing so nearly got us off the main trail. The strain on our knees and feet was felt during the scramble. We ambled into the treeline and found a perch on the ridge. The sun had come out and started warming us up. It would have been well to stay there longer (a nice spot for a small cabin), but we had to make our way back to the city. We arrived in the parking lot around three-thirty, somewhat spent, yet in a good way. Looking up at where we had been, holding in admiration each other for how well we diD, and rejoicing how good of a hike it was. Despite how troubled my sleep was later; this was a fantastic hike, and worth repeating, especially to go higher the next time.

Rawson Lake Trail -- Elkwood Campground June 22 - 24 (2007)

by Edith Veenstra

(Originally published July 9, 2007 at 7:40 pm)

What an exceptional weekend! John headed out early to secure a spot at the ever popular Elkwood Campground. He ended up being in one of two sites occupied that Thursday night. We thank him for the effort in finding a most enjoyable site. After the closing assembly at Emily and Gabrielle's school the remaining Veenstra family members headed out and were welcomed by Darryl Darwent and John at campsite #89 (not 29 or 45). The camping weekend began with a great meal and as every camping weekend should, a rousing interpretive show on the Park's birds (Gabrielle contributing as one of the osprey chicks) and smores by the fire.

We were joined by our fellow hikers, Ruby and Dick Klumpenhower the next morning at the campsite. The hike we decided on was Rawson Lake, familiar to all group members except Darryl. This spectacular, fairly vertical hike (2 km) leads to a wonderfully peaceful lake, and in this early season, snow covered the trails at the top. To our great surprise and delight, near the beginning of the hike Edith heard her name being called by another hiker and was greeted by Cheryl Barnard (Emily's Grade 7 teacher). She had planned on joining us at the campground but after navigating unfamiliar roads to arrive in Kananaskis and not remembering the site #, she also chose Rawson Lake Trail to do solo! By God's hand we met at the start of the hike and were able to enjoy the day together. With the help of our 2 way radio game, we climbed to trails end and enjoyed our feast at the the side of the lake gazing at the spectacular view. At day's end, we gathered around the campsite and shared a great meal and humorous conversation. Sunday brought yet another sunny day and Starbuck's coffee once again. The weekend was capped by a scoop of ice cream from the Boulton Creek Camp store. This weekend kindled the excitement for yet more adventures to come this summer!

In August (2007) we toured the Stanley Glacier trail in Banff National Park. It was a Saturday when we ventured through the park onto Hwy 93. Travelling from the parking lot we ascended through a fire burn that was awash in blooming fireweed. As we approached the upper trail we had to cross a creek. In plain view we could see the glacier. The closer we approached, a waterfall was sighted. There were several caves, possible grizzly bear dens during the winter, in the high walls above. This moderate hike led to a more challenging moraine where we decided to call it the end of the trail. Leisurely, we strolled back to the creek and enjoyed the sound of the rippling stream. All agreed that this was a most enjoyable hike with the promise of an assortment of candy at the renown Banff candy store!