On a perfectly blue sky day in 20 degree weather we hiked the relatively new loop from Pine Ridge to Death Valley to Long Valley Ridge in the Sandy McNabb ski trails area.  Conditions were generally dry, with very few boggy places remaining where evasive action was required.  From the Sheep River Provincial Park office we followed the Pine Ridge ski trail to the summit, where we had lunch at the picnic table.  


Robert and June on the summit of Pine Ridge

From there we continued north along the lovely, open ridge, enjoying views to Mesa Butte and Calgary to the north and northeast.


View to Mesa Butte from the Pine Ridge trail

View to downtown Calgary from Pine Ridge

  The trail eventually dropped down into the Death Valley to join that trail.


The open ridge walk along the Pine Ridge trail

  We hiked south back to the Long Prairie Ridge trail, with more fabulous views.


Hiking Long Prairie Ridge

  We saw a couple of small hiking parties, a couple of horseback riders, and one camouflaged gunman.  We heard only one gunshot, so the hunting was slow.
This is a really good loop, which should be added to our standard repertoire.  It was all officially marked trails, 15 km, 5 hours, and 400m of elevation gain.
Participants:  June, Robert and Carl, coordinator and scribe.