I ventured out to a new staging area in the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation Area to try some new trails.  The Blackfoot Staging Area is easy to access off the Yellowhead highway.  I drove to it in the winter and found a number of dog sledders preparing their sleds for an outing.  This time the parking lot was empty.

I wandered around and checked out what the area had to offer.  It has the typical cookhouse with indoor picnic tables and a wood stove but it also has some beautiful spots for outdoor picnics with fire pits; some with picnic tables and some with only the fire pit so you can pull your lawn chair nice and close to the fire.  Fire wood is provided.  What a great little spot for a picnic and some relaxation!

The trusty map was in my pocket and my camera was close at hand.  It rained the night before so I was prepared for numerous muddy areas but found only one.  The trails are not as well used as those at other staging areas.  The grass in many areas was more than a foot tall!

I wanted to find the lake that is home to a blue heron rookery.  The trail that I was on was very scenic; providing a variety of trees, lakes, sloughs and open areas.  The birds sang from the treetops.  The butterflies flitted from wildflower to wildflower.  The wild roses were so prolific that the aroma from them was very strong.  If I closed my eyes, I would have thought that I was in a rose garden.

I wandered and took in the forest sights and sounds.  It was a peaceful stroll.  So much so, that I didn't notice a fork in the trail.  I headed left when I should have gone right which added an extra 3kms to the hike.  

The trail that I took by mistake was beautiful.  It ran between Blackfoot Lake and a slough.  Numerous duck families were out for a morning swim.  A beaver hid in the grass; watching to see if I would notice it.  A number of species of small birds banded together and chased a hawk away from a nesting area.  It was teamwork in action.

I doubled back and headed west on the trail that I really wanted to be on.  It rain along the north shore of Blackfoot Lake.  Waterfowl called from the distance.  Blackbirds balanced on the tops of last year's cat tails.  I didn't see the heron nesting area but that was okay.  I stopped and enjoyed the scene from a picnic table that was placed beside

the lake.  As I rested, a Baltimore oriole flew over and perched in a tree top.  It sang a sweet song before moving on.

I will definitely revisit this area to explore more trails.  It offered a variety of landscapes.  The bees, butterflies and dragonflies were plentiful.  The wildflowers provided beautiful sights and smells.  What a great choice for a peaceful morning hike!