From Inga Lake, it was a long, but easy drive into Alberta where we bypassed Grande Prairie and headed for Grande Cache. We selected a Random Campsite next to the Kakwa River where Yukon got to frolic on the beach; except for a few weekend fishing/swimming people the area was relatively peaceful.
After a leisurely breakfast by the river, we headed to Grande Cache for supplies and the internet before selecting a Random campsite alongside the Muskeg River; the campers slowly disappeared as the long weekend expired until Tuesday when we had the entire place to ourselves. This is a spot where we have camped numerous times and the cascading river drowns out nearly all road noise, but not the odd train. We scrounged plenty of firewood for the cool morning and evening campfires.
Moving on, we headed to Hinton for supplies and the internet; the Visitor Centre was great with really helpful employees. About ten BigHorn Sheep crossed the road on our way out of town; the plan was to camp at a Provincial Park but we ended up at a Random campsite just outside Cadomin beside the McLeod River.
There is lots of coal mining in this area including one defunct open pit with half the mountain missing along with abandoned equipment. Since all the campgrounds in Jasper National Park (NP) are closed due to recent fires, plus lots of the town as well, the area South of Hinton is still very hazy. We hope that our favourite NP and town revives soon for our next trip West.
Our last stop in Alberta was Elk Island NP, about one hundred kilometres East of Edmonton; been here before and one passes over a cattle grid to keep the Bison out of the campground. Breaking our principles, we shared an Alberta Porterhouse Steak, baked potatoes and mushrooms grilled over our firepit; it was yummy.
So ends our short stint in Alberta; stay tuned for our travels across the Prairies.
Tidbits:
- Bears 21:6 Moose
- Alberta has cheapest gasoline so far, Cdn$1.43/L
- Finally Summer arrived for me in Alberta :), three days at 30C/86F
- Did 15Kkm oil change in Hinton
SPOT:
- Random Kakwa River 2024 09 01: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=54.42172,-118. 55357&ll=54.42172,-118.55357&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
- Random Muskeg River 2024 09 02-04: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.92475,-118.81456&ll=53.92475,-118.81456&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
- Random McLeod River 2024 09 05-07: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.04158,-117.32385&ll=53.04158,-117.32385&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
- Elk Island NP 2024 09 08: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.67598,-112.82573&ll=53.67598,-112.82573&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
tracy
2024-09-11
Beautiful scenery. By the river, and nobody around.