Landowner Rights & Trail User Responsibilities

The Waskahegan Trail is a unique resource that exists only because of the generosity of landowners. Before you set foot on the trail:

  1. Know the landowner rights and the trail user responsibilities.
  2. Check the trail conditions

Mirror Lake to Camrose Ski Club Hike

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With rain threatening, but not materializing, 10 hikers set off around Mirror Lake in Camrose, to start the almost 10km hike. We took advantage of the great paved pathway system in this beautiful area, to avoid being eaten alive. With the wind’s help, we managed to do just that.

Due to all the recent rain, the various greens of the gently rolling hills are very lush and rich looking.

On the north side of the lake we were treated to the sight of two does and a very young fawn, just 25m away from us. For a few minutes, they ran around (especially the little one) and were completely unafraid.

Soon after, we saw 3 swimming pelicans, as well as many blackbirds and a few purple martins.

Then, while lunching at the ski lodge, we spotted another deer on the opposite slope. A good wildlife day!

At the hike’s conclusion several of the group stopped in the visitors’ center, and some even found their way to the ice cream vendor.

The temperature and conditions ended up being just about perfect for this long-awaited restarting of our regularly scheduled hikes.

It was great seeing everyone again. You can see all the photos in our Flickr album.

Where we’re going next.

Middle Coal Lake Hike

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Sixteen people came out on a brilliantly sunny day to hike the Middle Coal Lake section from Kjorlein Corner to the pumping station.

It was a great day for watching birds. In the trees along the lake we saw several waxwings and we listened to the song of yellow warblers. We stopped to observe a flock of four pelicans bobbing on the glittering lake. They tolerated us for some time. Then suddenly they were flapping their wings and lifting off. Glancing up, we saw cause of the disturbance — a blue heron flying like a jet over their heads. The large bird moved too fast for the camera, but one of our pictures captured its feet.

In bloom at this time are blue columbines (Aquilegia) in the shade, wild onions (most likely the Prairie Onion or Allium textile) and prairie smoke (Geum) on the sunny slopes, and masses of high bush cranberry (Vibernum) on the margins of the woods.

Blue Columbine
Wild Onion
Prairie Smoke
High Bush Cranberry

The trail has many ups and downs, including some places with rope railings to help you along. This is not a trail for long stretches of easy strolling. However, the views are magnificent.

Thanks to Lee for scouting the hike and to the landowners for their continuing permissions. You’ll find all the photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.