We started out under cloudy skies with a strong wind and a brisk +3C temperature. Once in the shelter of the trees and climbing steadily on Curley Sand trail we warmed up. Coming out of the trees at the top of the climb the expectation was that we would be re-exposed to the wind, but it was only a light breeze there:

Break stop on Curley Sand trail under cloudy skies

We continued along the ridge and then bushwhacked down through the forest before steeply climbing a bare south-facing slope back to the trail. The next dip down had the only icy section on the trip:


Brenda carefully leads the descent of the day's icy section on the Mesa Butte trail

Then it was the climb to the summit:


Barb, Sue & Aldis enjoy the view northwest from Mesa Butte

There were nice views to the west where it looked rather blustery in Kananaskis. We had a leisurely lunch in the shelter of the trees using the picnic table and available logs. There was a low snow cover on the trail through the trees on the top of the Butte, but the descent off the northeast end was fairly clear, although a few participants donned microspikes for more traction. The road from the bottom also had snow cover mixed in with muddy spots. Eight of us chose to do the bonus hill and were rewarded with more views:


Under bluer skies atop the bonus hill with Mesa Butte as a backdrop

As we descended the southerly slopes of this hill we started to see more and more evidence that spring is on the way:


Crocuses on Mesa Butte hike

The return was uneventful, although somewhat muddy in spots.

Thanks to a fun group of participants: Bill (crocus photo), Barbara, Linda, Robert, Brenda, Aldis, Cornelis, David, Sue, Ralph and Turid for joining me, Ron C/S/P, on this early season hike.