It was an absolutely beautiful day, with warm sun and blue sky at Mesa Butte. There were crocuses blooming on the south facing slope below the summit, and we saw a lovely blue grouse just below the summit, and later heard a ruffed grouse drumming his wings.

Approaching Mesa Butte summit on a fine May day

Jennifer and John enjoy lunch at the summit

There is now a nice Alberta parks-type picnic bench at the summit, where four young people were preparing to spend the night.

Trail conditions on the ascent were excellent, mostly dry with very little mud or snow, and not many snow patches on the loop descent of the north east slope. The pipeline and road of the last part of the loop were not so good, with lots of boggy and slushy sections. At one point we noticed a trail with a ribbon heading off on the east side, and decided to follow it. It was a good trail through lovely aspen foothills, but after 15 minutes heading at right angles to our intended direction, we deduced that this good trail was probably an equestrian trail coming into the Kananaskis Country forestry from ranching country to the east, and reluctantly retraced our steps. The forecast afternoon unsettled weather produced only a couple of very light sprinkles.

We were back to the car by 3.

We met at West Valley Road at the same time as Harold's trip to Loder Peak, and returned at exactly the same time, so got to share our experiences with our friends.

Carl, coordinator and scribe.

---