Long Prairie Ridge - Pine Ridge loop Trail hike on 26-Sep-2026

What a fun group to hike with!

We enjoyed a cooler, cloudier day in the foothills. We started along Long Prairie Ridge which provided the best trail conditions and views, then did an unplanned detour along Death Valley Trail, backtracked to connect to Balsam Link trail, to Pine Ridge Loop. We had lunch near the junction with Balsam Link, then another extended break at the lookout towards the city on Pine Ridge.

There were lots of healthy looking black cattle at various points along our walk, and several sections of the trail were churned up with cattle and horse tracks in the mud. Most of these trails are ski trails, so it looks like they will have a lot of work to do to make them smooth enough for enjoyable skiing.

About half an hour before we got back to the parking, we had a bit of rain that turned into hail for a few minutes. The pelting hail resulted in the cattle stampeding towards the trees for shelter.

Thanks to Christine, Yolande, Photini, Carolyn, Renate for your high spirits and humour from Barb.