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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1703 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2007 : 9:00 PM
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Whaleback Ridge (Cowboy Trail, AB) July 2, 2007
A relaxing hike in a unique Montane environment.
Trailhead: Hwy 22, (aka 'The Cowboy Trail') 4km south of intersection with hwy 520 (which runs east to Claresholm), ‘Black Mountain Access Road’. (an unmarked paved approach on the west side of the road with a cattle guard and farm gate.
Distance: +-10km
Elevations: Rolling, +- 400m
Trail conditions: Dry dirt trails or open grassland.
After Saturday’s adventure with scrambling and scree this was a nice change with trails of mostly cattle track or grassy prairie. The Montane environment in the Whaleback area includes open prairie grassland to windswept slopes with exposed sandstone and wind molded Limber Pine. Douglas Fir populates part of the ridges and the coulees harbor Aspen groves and there were many small streams and ponds and shade loving plants.
The area we were in is part of the Waldron grazing coop and part of the area was being grazed by cattle.
I borrowed this book from the library last winter (I highly recommend it if you are interested in the area)
http://www.amazon.ca/Whaleback-walking-moving-through-sacred/dp/0921102569/ref=sr_1_3/702-2909902-9999239?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183674164&sr=8-3
And it includes very comprehensive coverage of not only the hiking opportunities in this area but details on the history, management, flora and fauna of the area. As with a lot of areas it is being torn between the potential for revenue and its benefit as a natural area.
It was a quick decision to visit this area with my wife so I quickly found a brief description on the internet of the trail referred to as ‘Whaleback Ridge South’ and I’d include the link but it wasn’t of much use so I won’t waste your time. Because the area is grazed cattle trails abound (those familiar with the ways of cattle will know what I’m talking about) and references such as ‘fences, salt-block holders, ridge crest etc’ are basically useless as the area is full of all of those. But no matter, we just wandered as we pleased and got up on a few of the higher ridges for views and explored some of the shady coulees etc on the way back. Easily killed about five hours.
Also of note is some references will tell you that the first part of the Black Mountain access road is ‘drivable with a high clearance vehicle’ but when we arrived both the gate over the cattle guard and the farm gate had chains and locks… no doubt somebody spoiled that privilege by abusing it… no matter, it doesn’t save you much distance anyway.
I’ll just throw up the pictures and if someone wants a little more info on the route we took I’ll be happy to comment further.
  
  
 
 
I grew up around cattle but if you’re not familiar with their ways give them a wider berth. On occasion a cow will take exception to you, they’re pretty used to having to fend for themselves.
 
This group of yearlings were just curious, all lining up like a group of teenagers, nobody wants to go first but nobody wants to be left out.
Actually we were joking that they were discussing us “You think they brought food, maybe a salt block?” “ No way Vinnie, those are the things that cut our balls off and stuck us with the hot iron thingie, lets knock them down.” “Oh sure, then what? End up like that guy?”
Ridge lunch stop pano
After lunch I went up the next three ridges figuring sooner or later I'd get a view to the west... success!
Heading back thru the meadows and coulees
  
  
We saw a yearling elk at a distance and several whitetail and mule deer, lots of ground squirrels and hawks hunting them.
  
At every turn in the coulee areas I was scoping out perfect camping spots.
All in all a very pleasant hike and we only saw one other person all day across the meadows heading in as we were heading out.
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Telkwa
1176 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2007 : 3:39 PM
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| Wow, interesting place. Never think of grasslands to hike in but there is definitely beauty and as you saw - flora and fauna. Thanks for the report. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3796 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2007 : 5:27 PM
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Awesome photo!
Very different terrain - nice. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13465 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2007 : 8:42 PM
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Sodbuster.
A very interesting report and pictures, to see this landscape and cattle in an area beyond our own.
Regards, |
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Whaleback Ridge (Cowboy Trail, AB) July 2, 2007
