14 of us started out just after 9:40 in crisp air (-1) at the Death Valley trail head near the Sandy McNabb area west of Turner Valley. The trail was wide and in decent shape for the first few km but got muddier along the way, especially where horses had shared the trail. The trail alternates between open meadows and cool aspen forests.

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We went a little past the 'normal' turning point at the creek, on towards Ware creek and crossed the Death Valley creek a few times.

That got us to a sunny grassy slope up by the Muriel Dixon gravemarker for lunch (18 above in the sunshine) barely after 12. Great for a rest.

We started back at 1, along the other side of the Valley, with a few more stream crossings, and many muddy sections. There was a long muddy incline up to the pass, but it was still warm and sunny, so we went on up the short steeper section to Foran Grade Ridge and were rewarded by lovely views west.

It was more dry on the steady slope down from there back to the road. After hearing gunshots, we whistled and generally made noise and eventually passed 3 young fellows working on target practice just before we crossed through the gate back out to the road. Most opted to walk the 1.6km along the road back to the cars, but those who crossed the road said that section of the trail did not have much mud. We all agreed that the mud made harder walking. Earlier in the morning, and in some more sheltered spots through the day, it was still frozen and easier to walk on, but otherwise the sticky goop sucked at boots.A great fall hike, perfect weather, good group (June, Anne, Ken, Alastair, Robert, Linda, Tom, Joanne, Emily, Dorothy-Ann, Karen, Dave and newlyweds Karel and Glenys. Thank you to June, the coordinator. (ks, scribe; de, photographer)