As you can see in the photo, Goat creek needs a week of warm weather to dry out. The forecast shows the next three days with temps in the high teens, but I expect it will require a bit longer if you want to hike or bike without getting covered in mud.
Song sparrow
I was happy to put up with some inconvenience, however, because I was witness to a delightful rhapsody of birdsong from chickadees, warblers, larks, and thrushes. In their quests for a mate, I heard at least a dozen different species plying potential partners with seductive and charming melodies including one which I never before heard. Not sure if it was an exotic species reacting to climate change or a “regular” with an extra-special mating plea. My favourite is the trill of the song sparrow.
The Banff boundary is 900 metres from the trailhead
I only hiked about 3K from the trailhead, but I think conditions would be similar for the remainder of the distance to Banff.
Don’t forget, the bridge over the Spray River at 9K is still out. With no ice to walk on, I’m not sure if it’s passable. If you’re reading trail reports, the other end of the trail at Banff is known as Spray river west or Spray river east.
A rare stretch of Goat creek which was dry
I’m pleased to see the trail marker at the Banff boundary has been changed and updated with the correct distances. The trail starts in K-country and you have to go .9K(trail marker says 1.7K but is wrong) to reach Banff National Park. (P.S. There’s no one there selling park passes!).
