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Partial panorama looking south
“South Willow Ridge”
Chain Lakes, Alberta
January 5, 2008
Distance: 16.7 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 521 m
Our last few trips were done under clouds and more of the same was forecast for Saturday – except for Longview. Here sunshine extended south to Chain Lakes Provincial Park, so Dinah and I settled on hiking up an unnamed ridge to the west. I refer to it as “South Willow Ridge” since it lies near Willow Creek.
A few people were already ice fishing when we arrived at Chain Lakes. We crossed the frozen reservoir and hiked over two grassy ridges and one treed ridge. From the third ridge, it was easy to reach the fourth and highest ridge, South Willow Ridge.
There was little to see from the summit because of trees, so we didn’t stay long. We followed the ridge crest south where we came to a road. The road, in turn, led to Willow Creek. Actually the road crossed the creek, but we chose to follow the creek back to Chain Lakes.
Most of the creek was covered in ice, and much of the ice was so smooth and glassy we could see our reflections. We found the ice-walk fascinating. Aside from interesting ice features, we could, where the ice was crystal clear, see the creek bottom beneath our feet. Where the ice was thin or missing altogether, we took care to stay near the creek bank. When we returned to the reservoir, we were surprised to see it crowded with people ice fishing.
Although our journey wasn’t physically challenging and our ascent unimpressive, we enjoyed the hike up South Willow Ridge and were especially enthralled with the ice-walk along Willow Creek. On the ice, we strapped Yaktrax Pros to our boots and although good, we occasionally slipped. We'll return to hike up the creek again someday, but when we do, we’ll use Micro-Spikes.
MOVIE
Looking back after crossing Chain Lakes Reservoir
On the first ridge
We headed to the second ridge. The south end of Chain Lakes Reservoir can be seen.
On the second ridge
Third ridge lies ahead
To avoid bushwhacking, we used a road that parallels the third ridge
A road cuts into the slope below the summit of the third ridge
On the road mentioned in the previous photo
We left the third ridge behind as we ascended the fourth ridge
View from the summit looking southwest. Windy Peak and Mount Livingstone on the left.
We reached Willow Creek
We hit a dry section on the creek
Following an icy section
Much of the ice looked like shiny plastic
Here Willow Creek appears to have flooded before it froze
A collapsed section shows what lies beneath the ice
Air bubbles trapped under the ice create a pattern
Here the creek flows through one of three culverts
Near the reservoir, willows formed a thick wall
82 J/1 Langford Creek
