We’ve had a couple cute dog pictures submitted as entries in the Emerald Lake Lodge contest. I believe Jimmy is a Springer Spaniel and Sara’s dog looked like a Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever(correct me if I’m wrong). We saw Steve Riggs’ lovely Golden retriever on Iron springs trail at West Bragg creek yesterday.
Jody and Koda on the wedge connector
I pointed out the page on this blog which lists all the dog-friendly ski trails, and one of my favourites is where I went today with my faithful companion. I took Tessa to the Wedge Connector and we were thrilled to meet tracksetter Jody and his spirited dog Koda. Tessa and I are both getting old so we like to ski on an easy trail and the Wedge connector is perfect. (Jody and Koda are not old, but this trail can be enjoyed by all ages). I also wanted to see the new section of the trail which Jeff added on this year.
The Wedge connector
The tracks were glazed from yesterday’s warm weather so I used my zero skis which performed well. The air temperature was +1°C and it didn’t matter what the snow temperature was because none of the wax in my kit would have been sticky enough had I used my waxable skis. There were a few pine needles which didn’t cause any concern.
The end of the Wedge connector trail
Starting from Wedge pond, the trail is officially the Bill Milne trail for the first 400 metres at which time you can turn left and continue on the Bill Milne, or continue straight ahead and go for a further 2.3K on the Wedge connector. Last winter it was only 2K, so there’s now an additional 300 metres of very scenic trail completely in the open and ending at a small bridge over the Evan-Thomas creek.
The trail ends at this small bridge
I believe the name “connector” was originally intended to indicate the trail connected the Bill Milne to the Evan-Thomas trail. Before the floods of 2013, there was a nice wide bridge over the creek which allowed Jeff to groom the Evan-Thomas trail as well. The flooding caused severe damage to this section of the trail and widened the creek bed by about 1000%.
I see from the Live Grooming Report that Jeff trackset the Kananaskis village trails today, so get out there early tomorrow before the weather warms up. Snow-forecast.com is predicting a high of +2, but the Weather Network is forecasting a high of +9. Environment Canada is even worse at +10. I hope someone goes and lets us know how warm it actually gets.
Today was the first time I noticed this comment from Jeff on the Live Grooming Report: “… new this year, there is now a 600 m long training loop that is groomed and trackset for classic and skate skiing at Kovach pond.”
Yes, Bob, Bryden is a Nova Scotia Duck Toller. He’s a lucky dog to live in Canmore, Alberta.
Baker Creek to Castle Look-out and return Dec 9 – just snuck in under the wire with the temperatures today, started out at about -3C, finished at +2C (at 1 pm) so just the last km was a challenge on 0C purple wax, so tracks will likely be glazed tomorrow. Lots of snow falling out of trees too so except tree bombs, also some sections in the trees with lots of pine needles, otherwise the tracks were in good shape.
Heard from someone working at the Lake Louise Visitors Centre the Emerald Lake shop and ski rental will open on Sat Dec 12 and that grooming might start around then. I believe some of the trails are skier tracked now