We were about 45 minutes into what turned out to be a very thick bushwack. I was mid-lunge and my ski was looking like a “U” as I tried to get over a fallen tree when my aunt asked, “How much weight do you think we can put on our skis before they break?” I paused, unweighted my ski and looked around to see if there was another way through.
We were on the Rose Creek trails west of Alder Flats. The trails were originally made and maintained as a Nordic ski trail. But years of ATV use have made them less skier friendly as we found out.
Big ruts, fallen trees, and thick underbrush made traversing the trails difficult and slow. Often my ski would get caught under some thick grass forcing me to jerk in my tracks as the forward momentum ground to a halt under the strength of the frozen weeds.
If I wasn’t getting caught in the grass I was getting scratched in the face. It wasn’t anything a good brush cutter couldn’t clear, but we were short on brush cutters. So instead we muttered to ourselves how much smarter it would have been to snowshoe.
After feeling like we were skiing in circles we managed to orientate ourselves in the forested labyrinth. It was a classic example where getting lost led us to finding our tracks again. Our relief came at a perfect time as the excursion was unraveling fast. Once we got our bearings we forged on in a slightly different direction that looked like it didn’t have so much deadfall. Deadfall it did not have but narrow hills, it had plenty.
Throwing caution to the wind I made a slight speed miscalculation and managed to somehow end up ass-over-tea-kettle. Relieved that nothing was broken, I came out of the trees with minor scratches, a bump on the back of my head and a bent ski pole. It was an adventure to be sure and not one I was looking to repeat.
But, the following Thursday my aunt messaged me again. She wanted to go skiing in Alder Flats. I raised an eyebrow at the idea but this time she suggests Rose Creek.
Not a trail but a waterway. This could prove promising.
Rose Creek is a shallow waterway that is located just west of Alder Flats. In the summer it’s a nice place to cool your heels. But It wasn’t summer, it was a bitter -24. During the 40 minute drive out to her house I was hoping my aunt was going to do a cold weather cancellation. But she didn’t. In fact when I picked her up she was so excited that my secondary plan to cancel the ski in favour of a coffee and a visit seemed, well, rather selfish. So we persevered.
There really isn’t a good place to park at the Rose Creek bridge west of Alder Flats but we managed to nudge in as far as we could into the narrow snow covered shoulder.
It was a quick and cold unload and we didn’t waste time laying some tracks. My fingers were numb from the start but with some movement and getting nestled into the high banks of the creek we were pretty well protected and the sun made it feel like a balmy -15.
Unlike our first excursion in the trees; the creek surface was flat, snow covered and obstacle free; mostly. There were some boulders and beaver dams we had to maneuver around but compared to the previous week it was a cake walk.
Without having to focus on duck, dive and dodging the trees, we could just enjoy the surroundings and they were beautiful. To the east were high river banks and rolling farm fields and to the west was thick forest. The scene had us feeling like we were in a Thomas Kinkade painting minus the Christmas lights and candles. Have you seen his paintings? The man loves his lights.
Compared to the week before this ski was a lot less painful and much more enjoyable, although I didn’t come back with any embarrassing stories to share with you, there is something to be said about skiing in a beautiful location and you can find one right on Rose Creek in Alder Flats.
Winter time at Buck Lake
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Try these DV100 training routes
Just beyond the western borders of Drayton Valley is a series of township roads and secondary highways that creates an amazing training ground for anyone looking to tackle the DV100, DV60 or the DV40, this September.
To market, to market: Shopping downtown Drayton Valley
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Tips for beginner mountain bikers
Rocks, berms, extreme pitches, however you slice it, mountain biking is not for the faint of heart. But with a little can-do attitude and grit it can become a fun pastime during any age or stage of life. This summer Rae and Bell decided that they wanted to try something new. Although they were no strangers to road cycling, the purchase of a e-mountain bike got them off the asphalt onto the trail.
Three trips for your winter wonder list
Snowshoeing is a fun way to get outside, stretch your legs and add a little interest to your snowy winter walks. With the Eagle Point Provincial Park and Provincial Recreation area right on our doorstep there are endless places to explore by snowshoe. But for those of you who are just getting started here are three of my favourite places to get you going.
The rugged and refined in Alder Flats
So I have been telling you to explore your backyard and check out places like Evansburg, Breton and Eagle Point Provincial Park. But what about Alder Flats? What the heck is there to do in Alder Flats? To answer this question I have visited Alder Flats five times since July to have a new experience, discover a new place and give you guys some actionable ideas.
