Mild temperatures and high humidity made for a and gorgeous freezing fog on tree branches and evergreen boughs.
Groundhog Day was certainly extra special for 11 hikers this am. No snowshoes were needed as we were on the well trodden walking trails from Milliken Minesite to Sherriff Lake.
So many beautiful sights as we started out through the poplar and birches. Shutterbugs were out in full force to capture the stark beauty. With every gentle breeze the frost crystals were blown off the tree tops. It felt like we had our own private snowstorm , at times.
Otter and fox, squirrel and mice had been out in the fresh snow.
All was calm, almost meditative, as we made our way from the shoreline of Sherriff Lake and back to the main road to our cars. We soon were jarred out of our reverie by the loud whine and engine revs of 7 snowmobiles.
The snowmobilers were taking turns driving up a steep hill to the road on which we were walking!!. They saw us waving our arms and our hiking poles. They stopped at the bottom and sat waiting for us to pass!
Wow.... That excavation was from a huge gravel pit that the mine used to make roads.
The two red
"Danger Excavation Area
No Trespassing"
served as another clue for the hazard in that area.
The smell of the gasoline and oil hung in the air for a while as we left the area.
