We are trying to fit as many hikes as we can into our weekends before the dreaded snow comes. I love the fall colors and the temperatures have been wonderful. This past weekend we drove out Hwy 40 to the King Creek Day Use Area. The gate to the parking lot was locked as are most of the gates to the access trails since the flood last summer. We started out by hiking toward the King Creek Ridge where we had beautiful views of the Kananaskis Lakes. Then we then hiked up the King Creek Canyon to the Stoney religious site, where you'll see several trees wrapped in cloth, ribbon and socks. Loosely called prayer flags, they often signify some type of religious quest or possibly just making it up a steep, dangerous trail. The 2013 flood washed away the trail that cut through the canyon, so instead of ten creek crossings, there were probably fifteen difficult crossings. At one point, I slipped on a slimy rock and came down hard on my bum! And I certainly have the bruise to show for it. The hike took much longer than it originally would have since we hiked mostly in the creek bed and not on a trail. Beautiful day though!
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| Selfie before we set off. Behind us the canyon and Opal Range peaks. |
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| Along the King Creek Ridge trail, looking towards Hwy 40. |
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| Along the King Creek Ridge trail. |
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| Heading up the canyon. |
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| One of the many creek crossings. |
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| More canyon. |
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| I'm not as sure-footed as I used to be....... |
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| Scrambling up the final bit trail to the prayer flags. |
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| Jim beside one of the prayer flag trees. |
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| More prayer flags. |
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| Heading back down the canyon. |
Too bad the prayer flags aren't at the beginning of the trail so you can pray not to fall into the river on the way up!! ;) Beautiful pictures and even more beautiful MOM! Love you!
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Yes, praying before would have definitely been a good idea! Love you too, Casey!
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