Where the Mountains meet the Prairie

We set off on a Thursday evening with our friends, Neil and Linda for the south of Alberta and Waterton National Park.  We had been to Glacier National Park on the American side many, many years ago and had fond memories of the Going to the Sun Road and Logan Pass and the very large grizzly bear we saw .... not that far from the Visitor Centre!  On this occasion we were driving through gently rolling prairie grassland when the mountains erupted up and out in front of us.  There were no foothills to draw you towards the mountains scenery.  Waterton National Park and its other half, Glacier National Park in Montana were the first National Park in  North America to gain UNESCO World Heritage status as a Peace Park.  The scenery is spectacular, the wildlife is abundant and the wild flowers beyond comparison.

Our first excursion was to Wall Lake and we crossed into British Columbia through the Akimina-Kishenina Provincial Park which was established in 1995. The lake lies buried in glacial cirque pockets beneath stupendous cliffs.

Our route took us over creeks, through old forest lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir.  Arnica, queen's cup, foam flowers, cow parsnip and wild onion, amongst others, lined our journey towards the lake.  Great bear habitat although the bears were resting that day!!

Wall Lake is a large lake with the Akamina Ridge rising above it, a little over 750 metres from the south shore, almost shutting out the sky.  An ancient forest rings the north shore and fisherman are found along the shore, with BC fishing licence of course.  At the end of the trail beside the lake the path petered out and we decided, as we were hungry, that this was a good a place as any to stop for lunch.  In front of us a snow patch - the product of  innumerable avalanches slowly melts into the lake.

As we returned we detoured to Forum Falls, the waterfall was full as it came hurtling down the rock face.  The spray was cooling and this coolness along with the breeze kept the mosquitoes at bay. 

Our second excursion was to Bertha Lake via the falls.  En route we counted over 45 varieties of wild flowers.  We reached the falls and met up with a couple who been along the Lineham Creek Falls trail and had seen many more wild flowers; bear grass and monkey flower.  So a change of plan and as we returned to the car park it felt as if we were in the middle of Piccadilly Circus as hordes of people, in inappropriate footwear made their way to the coolness of the waterfall.

The Lineham Creek Falls path greeted us with mosquitoes and other flying, biting creatures so it was time to "deet" up - lots of it.  The path was uphill and we passed through colourful meadows full of wild flowers including mariposa lilies and wild buckwheat.  The Falls, were loud and full of water.  We were grateful to return as it was hot with very little moving air  until we reached the shade of the woodland.  Ice creams made the perfect end to the day.

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