A snowy trail was the order of the day for which most of us used our traction devices, although there was no ice to make it really slippery. We started out at +2C in bright sunshine with little wind, so insulating layers were quickly doffed when we started climbing. The snow on the trail was a few centimetres deep and on the flatter part at the beginning we tromped along beside ski tracks.  These were left behind when we ascended the ridge and came to a viewpoint for a snack break:


Karen, Barb, Brenda & Dave enjoy the view from Sandy McNabb hill

From there we continued up and down along the ridgeline amongst many ungulate tracks until noon when we stopped before the descent to the eastern meadows. Although it was sunny where we were, behind us to the west it looked like the swirling clouds over the mountains were making a move towards us and the wind was markedly picking up:


Blustery weather approaching

We ducked down behind the ridge and had a sheltered lunch among the aspens. On returning to the ridge it was once again sunny but the mountains had mostly disappeared so we decided to head back. There was a fairly strong chinook wind and then the clouds covered the sun, but it remained fairly warm and never produced precipitation. The snow did get rather soggy with the above-freezing temperatures.

After an early arrival back at the cars we decamped to a coffee shop in Black Diamond.

Animal sightings on the drive included a number of deer and there were quite a few hawks flying or perching, some were definitely rough-legged hawks and there may have been a goshawk.

Thanks to those who came out, Karen, Barbara, Brenda & David. Ron, C/S/P.

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