Fourteen Ramblers gathered at the Dutch Creek campground to hike to the Sugar Loaf Lookout, the highest lookout currently operating in Alberta. Many were interested in seeing the scenery and the mountains further south along the divide. The flowers were, of course, another great attraction.

Sugar Loaf Lookout

The trail climbs the east side of the ridge through fairly open country, moving from forest type terrain up into the alpine. Flowers were numerous, including paintbrush, umbrella plant and even a few remaining glacier lillies.

Paintbrush

Also of interest was a Gallium Sphinx Moth. These moths are day fliers and can easily be mistaken for hummingbirds as they visit flowers. This species centers it's life cycle on fireweed.

Gallium Sphinx Moth

The trail passes through a surprisingly large larch forest before arriving at the top. The lookout is notable for the stonework that has been done by one of the persons manning the lookout. The current lookout - Milt - has extended the earlier work, adding stone walls.

Sugar Loaf Lookout rock work

Milt told us of the problems he has had with people driving ATV's to the top, trashing the area, damaging the eco-system and acting in disorderly and threatening manners. Apparently his concerns have not been addressed by the forest service. His approach has been to build stone barriers across the final stretch of the access road. We watched as over a dozen quads drove up the road, reached the barriers and stopped. Although less than 200 feet vertical from the top, not one person left their ATV and finished the ascent on foot!

The views from the top were terrific, including the Livingstone range. To the north was Crowsnest mountain, and to the west Tornado mountain dominated the horizon.

Tornado Mtn from Sugar Loaf Lookout

Everyone stopped for an extended lunch at the top. A strong cool wind was blowing from the west. Some braved the wind at the top for the sake of the west and southern views, while others went down further into the lee of the lookout.

At the top of Sugar Loaf Lookout

A quick descent was followed by a longer drive and a buffet supper in Black Diamond.

Participants were our coordinator Wally, Valerie, Leslie, Jim, Mike, Arnold, Jeannette, Dave, Ivor, Sally, Francisco, David, Aldis and Bill. Thanks to Wally for arranging another Great trip. Your scribe, Bill.