Sandy McNabb Hills/Long Prairie Ridge Off-Trail hike on 23-Sep-2026

It was cloudy and coolish at the start where some took advantage of the brand new biffy in the parking lot. At the first fence gate the border guards allowed us passage to continue:

It didn't look too promising for the aspens turning colour as we started up Long Prairie Ridge:

however further along there were some groves coming into autumn attire:

We continued passing many cows to Death Valley trail where we saw the only other people on a trail, three women on horseback out for a morning ride. After descending to the road we took the trail over to the Sandy McNabb Hills, noting puffballs and fungi along the route:

From the top of the west hill there were views east of the Sheep River wending its way towards Diamond Valley:

After descending the first hill and and climbing the second we found a grassy viewpoint with a good view of the mountains, no wind and the sun came out. This led to a quite extended lunch break

We decided to do the loop return heading down the east end of the ridge line; this section of trail is becoming overgrown with new aspens. There were also frequent gun shots heard from across the river so hunting season may have started. We picked up the lower return trail and had an uneventful walk back, although there were a few avoidable cow-churned muddy areas along the ski trails leading back to the car at the Park headquarters..

Thanks to Philip and Barbara for joining me, Ron, on a fine fall hike. Various photos by all of us.