April
Kootenay Plains circuit(s)

As spring approaches, you will spot our first flowers in the Kootenay Plains (usually prairie crocuses and drabas).

Song birds are returning to the area and the wonderful smell of juniper, pine and sage fills the fresh mountain air. Bighorn sheep can be seen resting on the slopes. You may even spot one of our bald eagles circling overhead.

On a sunny day you will want to bring your picnic hamper along. There are many trails in the Plains and up into the surrounding hills and you can go on foot or by mountain bike. Just make double sure you stay on the trails as the dryness of the area allows for a very fragile vegetation cover only.

The many limber pines growing on rocky outcrops at the edge of the Plains (and Whirlpool Point) are at the Northern edge of their distribution area. These are magnificent trees if not overly large and they are among the oldest trees in Alberta's Rocky Mountains.