October 17, to 21, 2011, hiked to Raven Lake Cabin and Grizzly Den Cabin.

I did this hike with my brother. The cabins were originally built and maintained by the Son's Of Norway but they are now maintained by BC Parks. The cabins can not be reserved so it is first come first serve and share and share a like. Both cabins are equipped with a stove and fire wood is provided. There are not many other amenities so bring mattresses and camp cooking equipment. Even without a tent my backpack weighted close to 50 pounds.

To get to the cabins turn south off highway 16 onto the Hungary Creek forestry road. At the start Jim made a good decision by parking at the Grizzly Den trail head and we started our hike by walking on the forestry road back to the Raven Lake trail head. The weather was unsettled and there was a threat of showers but when we hiked out 5 days later it was a steady rain and it was nice not to have to hike the extra 2.6 km to the vehicle.

The hike to the Raven Lake cabin is 5.5 km. with an elevation gain of about 1500 ft. At about 5000 ft there was a complete snow cover. It rained some as well so by the time we got to the cabin we were wet from precipitation and perspiration. the snow also made the rocks on the trail very slippery. I found the hike to be rather taxing.

That evening we were having supper and Jim noticed a couple of mice running across the floor of the cabin. He had brought snap traps to the cabin earlier that summer but had taken them on to the Grizzly Den cabin so there were no traps. He then built a figure 4 trap but he couldn't get it to work right. I suggested using a bucket with a baited stick. We caught one mouse that night and another one the next day in the bucket. The next day Jim got the figure 4 trap working and we caught one mouse that evening and another one in the night. That took care of the mouse problem.

October 18 we hiked up on Raven Peak. This day was the sunniest day of all and a good day to hike to the peak even though it was a bit windy. That hike was about 4.6 km. On the way down we noticed another peak to the northwest and we planned to hike that one the next day.

October 19 the day started with a steady rain but around noon the rain let up and so we set out. As we started up the slope to the peak a fog set in. When we got to the peak it was so foggy that we weren't sure where we were but there was a stone cairn so we guessed it marked the peak. We saw 2 ptarmigan at the peak. They were in pure white plumage. We wanted to go down a different route but it was hard to pick a route in the fog then the fog cleared some and we were able to easily make our way down. This was about a 4 km hike.

October 20, we hiked from Raven Lake cabin to Grizzly Den cabin. There was a bit of fresh snow so it was interesting to see fresh animal and bird tracks in the snow. Fresh snow really shows what has been in the area that day. Most of the tracks were red squirrel's but we also saw weasel and possibly marten tracks. The snow on the trail was mostly ankle deep but out on the open slope it had drifted a little deeper. Jim broke trail most of the way so when we were ascending up Pat's Pass I offered to break trail for awhile. I started out in the lead but I soon sopped for a rest. Then I found I had to rest again. I was finding breaking trail was not so easy. Finally Jim said, "let me take it to the top of the pass" and away he went. When he was breaking trail I could just about keep up. At the top of Pat's Pass we dropped our packs and hiked up the the peak. The weather cleared enough for us to see the Raven Lake Peak and the surrounding area. It was a very grand view and well worth the hike up. We made it to Grizzly Den cabin in good time that day. It was about a 5.4 km. hike.

Oct. 21, 2011, we hiked back out to the vehicle from Grizzly Den Cabin.
6.5 km out
2 hr 19 min moving
36 min stopped
Max elev. 5731
As I mentioned earlier it was raining steady by the time we got out and I was rather wet. We did take time to check out some Caribou tracks that we noticed on the way out.

By my calculations we hiked 25.25 km. in total on this trip.

Oct. 22, 2011, Hiked with Jim in Forests For The World Park.
This is a park within the city of Prince George, BC and it has a lot of variety with uplands and low lands and some scenic water bodies. Pack a lunch and take your time if you go there.
About a 9 km hike.
Total ascent 972
Max elev. 2952
3hr moving
52 min stopped
2245 ft max elev.

October 30, 2011, Walked solo in the JJ Collette Natural Area.
Observed spruce trees gnawed by a porcupine and a porcupine burrow. I was surprised to see trees gnawed by a porcupine as the bark has so much resin.

7.24 km.
2 hr 15 min. moving.
21 min stopped
Total ascent 528 ft.
Max. Elev. 2955
Later in the day I met a friend in Red Deer and went for another short walk in Three Mile Island Park.
4 km.
My daily total walking was 11 km.

November 16, 2011, I walked with my sister around Campbells Lake in NE Alberta.
8.5 km.

November 24, 2011, Walked solo in Hawreluk Park
3 km

November 27, 2011, I went for a walk with a Meetup Group.
We started at Terwilligar Park and walked to the Anthony Henday Bridge and a little beyond. 9.5 km.

December 1, 2011, I went for a walk with a Meetup group in the Edmonton River Valley. We started at the Royal Glenora Club and walked to the Legislature Building to look at the Christmas lights. We then walked on the north side of the river to the foot bridge and then back on the south side of the river and across the LRT bridge.
This was a fairly brisk walk of about 8 km.
1 hour 48 min moving.

December 5, 2011, I walked with a friend in Mill Creek.
About 7 km and we walked about 2 hours.