On Friday I wrote a blog entitled Thank Heavens for Long Weekends. And I can now say that after two nights away from the routine of the house and garden plus unplugging from the computer I feel somewhat rejuvenated. If only all weekends were long weekends – perhaps that will happen in my old age.
John and I took two days to explore and discover Elk Island National Park, located just 45 minutes east of Edmonton. I’d never even heard of this place until I read an account of what a peaceful place it was to cross country ski. We’d planned to visit in the winter but somehow that never happened. The next opening was the May long weekend and voilá.
We hiked and explored Elk Island National Park for two full days. And after thirty kilometres of hiking on over a third of the available trails, I can tell you that we’ve got a pretty good handle on the park.
On the first day we hiked the 16 kilometre Wood Bison trail. Starting off tentatively because of all the bison warning signs, we eventually felt we’d be lucky if we saw anything bigger than a squirrel. Granted we saw hundreds of poop piles so we knew the bison were around. It wasn’t until we were a solid half way into the hike before we spotted 15 of them off in the distance. Good for safety, bad for photography.
We had two other one off sightings…until we were in the car yesterday on the drive home and across from us right beside the highway were two big brutes. It figures.
All the hiking is easy on primarily flat, grassy trails – in fact very reminiscent of the Cross Conservation area I’d hiked the previous weekend. Look for dozens, perhaps hundreds of types of wildflowers that are just starting to put in an appearance. It’s a great spot for birders too – with over 250 recorded species. My husband identified a few new ones including the Tennessee warbler and the horned grebe. I was thrilled to see the avocet.
On Sunday evening we did a lovely 2.5 kilometrehike – the Amisk Wuche trail which boasts a few sections of boardwalk in the area of beaver-dams. Beavers and muskrats were both seen hard at work and many species of ducks were about.
Yesterday we hiked the Shirley Lake Trail. The mileage on the map is under-represented. It says its 10.5 kilometres but its actually 12.6 kilometres. You hike through a lot of aspen forest and meadows but I’d say the Wood Bison trail is more scenic and more interesting. On both trails there is supposed to be good viewing of bison, moose and elk. We saw no elk whatsoever but we did find the bones of a moose.
After twenty plus kilometres of hiking, we were both tired and ready for a good night’s sleep.
But there was one last treat in store for us.
When was the last time you fell asleep to the haunting cry of a loon AND the whocooksforyou call of the great horned owl?
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday night and what a delight it was. Granted the campground was on the busy side but I can overlook that sort of thing for a night. If we hadn’t slept in the park, chances are we wouldn’t have seen the amazing sunset in the photos below either.
Elk Island National Park might be underwhelming to some, especially if you’re used to the bold, beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery. But the park has its charms if you’re prepared to look and you can appreciate the prairie landscape. It’s a wonderful place to introduce your kids to the outdoors and it would be particularly lovely to explore by canoe in the evening or early morning.
The park is accessed via Highway 16 East – the Yellowhead Highway.
The Sandy Beach campground is open May to September. Make reservations in the summer and on weekends.
Fees for a single tent including the reservation fee are $36.30 per night – on the pricey side if you ask me.
A fire permit – with wood provided is $8.80 per night.
There’s a golf course open from May to September, weather permitting.
There’s an onsite cafe sort of restaurant by the golf course.
That avocet is really cute – I’d never heard of them before! And, uhm, DANG – that third to the last photo of kayaking at sunset is *gorgeous*.
@Christy I once had an avocet watch/altimeter- then realized it was a bird. It’s a beautiful bird and I just wish I could have got closer. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Wow on those stunning sunset photos! All postcard worthy, Leigh. I love those wildlife shots too. I had to google avocet and how a wood bison was different from the Yellowstone buffalo here in the US =) What a wonderful way to spend a long weekend.
@Mary It was a treat to get away, unplug and explore a new part of the world.
Beautiful photos – those lookalike birch trees are incredible.
@Mette I loved the trees in the park and took one heck of a lot of photos of them.
@Pete I think it must be a very popular spot for the Edmonton crowd but off the radar for the rest of Canada. Definitely worth exploring. And pinning is great. Thank you.
I’ve always wanted to go here, but never made it – got too distracted by the Rockies. I like the idea of seeing bison while hiking. My favorite national park is Waterton – I’ve seen more bears there than anywhere else. It’s also close to my home town, so perhaps I’m a little biased.
@Laurel We’ll be heading to Waterton for three days of hiking over the Labour Day long weekend. I am very much looking forward to exploring that area – though I know the concentration of grizzly bears is very high there.
Hello from Prince Albert National Park. We are in the same field unit as Elk Island and I asked one of our plant specialists what the photo is of that you weren’t sure about.
He said it’s a horse tail but he couldn’t be sure which sub-species.
Glad you had such a great visit!
@Shannon Thank you for going to the trouble to clarify that. Prince Albert Nayional Park is on next year’s travel wish list – well really this year but I think I’ll run out of long weekends.
Beautiful photos. I’ve been to Elk Island a couple times, but I’ve never camped there. If I got a chance to see a sunset like that I’d definitely spend the night.
@Alouise I’m so glad we did camp – fr the sunset and for falling asleep listening to owls and loons.
The Island look strange but it is beautiful. I love the view and it looks like it has a good atmosphere. I love it.
Breath-taking photos! Just gorgeous. I’m looking for a weekend getaway and am considering Elk Island but can’t get my husband on board. He’s really into stunning mountain views, etc…I’d love to see Bison!
@Caryl Elk Island is not in your face beautiful but it has a timeless appeal and seeing bison is always great. Hopefully you can talk your husband into going at least once.
The word “underwhelming” was not something I expected to find under these stunning sunset photos. Maybe I need to spend more time at the Rockies :) Then I was in for another surprise – When I clicked on this post on the home page, I didn’t notice it was an “old” post until I reached the comment section. Guess that explains the mixture of the words “May” and “yesterday”, which I read today, on…. April 1.
Anyway, good thing I clicked through because it looks like yet another gorgeous Canadian spot. Beautiful photos as always!
@Ayelet Elk Island shoes best I think at sunset. It’s a lovely place to visit but it’s not an in your face kind of beauty that some people are seeking. We enjoyed our weekend and one year I’d also like to cross country ski there.
@James I was racing to get the sunset and ended up being quite pleased with the results. I love my visits to National Parks and hope to discover many of the ones in eastern Canada this summer.
@Christina It’s a pretty place especially when the sun sets.
Stunning photos. I love your sunset shots!
@Tammy I ran to get those shots as I didn’t want to miss them.
Looks amazing! I’ve only driven through once – in winter. Spring looks like a great time to visit here. Love the buffalo hair snap!
@Jody I hear Elk Island is also a wonderful place for cross country skiing. I think if I lived in Edmonton I’d be visiting frequently.