Whaleback Ridge via Black Mtn Off-Trail hike on 25-Jun-2023

This hike was postponed from 09 June when thunderstorms were forecast and actually occurred (from nearby road webcams). Today the weather behaved with a warm sun, negligible wind and only a few rain drops (high about +18c shade). Unfortunately, with this year's weird spring, the flowers were "past their best-before date". Some joker cracked that this description fitted the participants also. Never-the-less, we enjoyed the hike as the foliage was rich, green and different from the usual Rockies.

From the small parking area at 9.00am, we followed June west along a dirt road to a col at the south end of Black mountain. Then continued west on a variety of human and cow trails to the Whaleback Ridge. Turning north we reached a high point for lunch with good views about 12.30pm. Roughly half-way. Refreshed we continued north along the Whaleback's bumps before dropping down east towards Black mountain on a rough trail.

Here two hikers preferred to continue more directly home via the valley trail, while the rest ascended onto Black mountain and followed its ridge line south to the earlier mentioned col. A short valley walk brought us back to the cars just after 4.00pm. We had seen a few rather dejected looking flowers. disturbed a young moose and negotiated several gates, mostly of the barbed wire variety. There were several mature trees with interesting shapes that I forgot to photograph. A different hike, but this year we needed to be earlier for better flowers.

The drive was less than 1 1/2 hours (125km) from Red Deer Lake school near Calgary city limits. Hiking stats: 17km, elevation gain 780m in 7 hrs. Thanks to participants: Jim,June,Carl,Janice,Janet,Brian,Jo from C,S & P David for sticking together and especially to June for suggesting the trip which remains one of her favourites.