An enjoyable day in the Whaleback with a great group. There were a few spots of rain as we drove south of Calgary but the clouds started to move east as we arrived at the trailhead and by noon we had blue sky.

We had lunch part way along the ridge with views of Beaverdam and Little Whaleback Ridges, Livingston Ridge and Thunder Mountain. From there we followed the ridge north to a fence and followed an old road down to the valley bottom and dugout for afternoon break. About 2/3 of the group returned via Black Mountain and the rest returned along the valley road. We reunited at the shoulder of Black Mountain and also met Bill and Arnold who had been identifying flowers while we were hiking. Here we heard stories of a black bear seen by some of the group.

We were back to the cars just before 5pm. Two cars headed back to Calgary and the rest stopped for dinner in Black Diamond.

Thanks to David, Barb, June, Barry, Mohsen, Wendy, Denise, Carl, Joyce, Karen, Ginger, Maria, Francisco, Michael, Barbara, Peter, Kathy, Nancy, Sharon, Philip, Rosanne and Aldis for a very enjoyable day! Brenda c/s/p

Balsamroot with low larkspur

Two extra bumps some of the group took for bonus points

Views and blue skies for lunch

Group shot from out lunch spot

Hiking along the flowery ridge

Fuzzy-Tongued Penstemon on Whaleback Ridge

Valley group and Mountain group reunite on the shoulder of Black Mountain