Lake Havasu in winter can have cool winds as well as hot days, and my Aunt Marg and Uncle Bill had been going to Lake Havasu, Arizona, for many years and knew a lot about the area, including many of the wonderful hikes that were available.
Feb. is a great time for hiking, as the days don't get really hot, and it is still cool enough that snakes (Rattle type) and scorpions are still dormant, which is great for me!
"The Crack" is one of these hikes they were going on along with another couple (Don and Sheila Bunston), and we were invited.
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| TJ, Marg, Darlene, Sheila and Bill at start of hike |
The hike started off quite pleasantly with a very slight grade up over a gravel based wash.
(I believe all photos can be enlarged by double clicking them if so desired).
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| And off we go ... |
Soon we were to encounter "The Crack" which was were the wash narrowed down to a narrow canyon, where, at one point, we had to rappel down about 8 ft. using a small rope that had been left there by previous hikers.
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| "The Crack" |
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| "The Crack' is in the background |
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| It go quite narrow as Darlene finds out. |
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| Bill, walking along his own path as the rest of us chose a different route for a bit. |
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| Marg, Darlene and Bill |
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| Darlene at end of canyon |
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| Darlene finds a seat in the oddest spots |
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| Up in the hill above this is where we had lunch. |
It was wonderful when we finally arrived at Lake Havasu, down by the Parker end of the Lake. There we stopped and had lunch that we had taken and also a bathroom break at the bathroom that was there. Now there was a choice,.... go back the same way, or continue along a desert path on the way back which would be a "bit" longer.
One of the alternate paths led up this trail, which, if you look closely at, you can see some hikers making their way up it.
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| Starting to get warm now, as the novelty has worn off and we are all getting a bit tired. |
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| Trekking along one of the many ridges in the desert. |
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| Marg in the lead,.... You can see lake in the distant where we came from! |
Well, the "bit" longer proved to be quite longer, hotter, and drier than what we were expecting, and we were all very happy to see the end of the hike. It was a great hike, and quite the adventure for all of us. Thank you Marg and Bill !!
Back to Alberta, where it was cold (-20) but also quite pretty. Pincher Creek is located in the foothills of Alberta, about a 30 minute drive from Waterton National Park, one of the most beautiful parks I have seen.
Cameron Lake flows down, right thru the town of Waterton, but not before it cascades down a waterfall right next to the provincial campsite in town.
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| Cameron Lake Waterfall, Waterton, AB |
A little west along Highway 3, heading towards BC, is the small town of Lundbreck. There is not much there, EXCEPT, Lundbreck Falls, which is a mere 1.5 miles off the highway along a paved road, and not to be missed if you are ever along this route. In the winter it almost freezes over, and in the spring runoff, there are kayakers who go down it!
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| Lundbreck Falls |
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Lundbreck Falls
In Waterton Park there are lots of snowshoe and cross country paths available during the winter along with a number of ice climbs available! |
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| Ice Climb in Waterton Park |
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| Ice Climber |
