It was a great day for a hike to Moose Mountain, and we had a more entertaining lunch break than usual, as a sleek red helicopter landed to deliver some dignitaries to visit with the lookout man.

  

  

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 (Actually, the lookout man gave us adequate warning to get ourselves and our stuff off the pad, so there was no safety issue, but it was pretty exciting.)  We had all been on this peak numerous times, but as is the way with the lighting in the mountains, this time we noticed something we had always missed before--you get a great view of the Three Sisters from the peak.

 

 On the way down we spotted a nice patch of columbine in the "Brokeback Mountain meadows." (the area where the movie was filmed). 

We had to break out the rain gear for 5 minutes for a brief shower with some small hail, but then it got nice again.  At the bottom of the dreaded long climb up the big hill at the beginning of the trail, we discovered a "Surprise Trail" that followed the ridge in a much more scenic way (although it was a bit more of a climb) and provided a great view of the mountain.

We left this mystery trail to drop back to the parking lot.  We were back to the cars by 3:30.  Four headed to Bragg Creek for ice cream cones after a great hike.  

Participants:  Margaret, Harold, Francisco and new member Lee on his very first RMRA hike--welcome, and we hope you enjoy many more!--and Carl, coordinator and scribe.