Abruptly, grain fields and rangeland yield to forested terra firma. From the surrounding plains the land rises to the highest point in mainland Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. Cypress Hills is a unique geographical region and an oasis in the midst of the prairie. It’s also an interprovincial park on the Saskatchewan/Alberta border.
Road signs that read “Impassable When Wet” gave us no concern as the land was bone dry with no rain in the forecast. The twists and turns up a steep climb to the rustic campground in the West Block were a surprise. Mid-week late in the season, plenty of grassy sites alongside Battle Creek were available.
West Block Wilderness Campground – Cypress Hills Inteprovincial Park Photo credits: Tourism Saskatchewan
After a restful night we continued westward dodging cow dung and the free-roaming cattle around every bend in the road.
On a grassy plateau is “The Survival Tree” a lone lodgepole pine that has been growing for more than 150 years.
The plaque reads: “Living things do their best to stay alive. This lodgepole pine has bent with the wind, been frozen under heavy snows and has been parched in the summer drought. It has also endured mauling by cattle. In 1900, it was even cut down! But today it is still growing, its three branches reaching upward toward light and life.”
It’s a fitting message in this time of pandemic. The sight of Cypress Hills dressed in fall colors soothes the soul.
I can imagine Laddie oughing and aughing about the cows on the road and more Pooh I enjoy reading your blog journal
Be well Aideen 🍂Gary
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And how your photos soothe my soul!! Only once at a very rainy period, did Dirk & I experience the CH’s West block, so grateful we had our wee Trillium for cover. Tenting friends from Victoria joined us for tea & company inside! Last year on my journey to Grasslands, with a couple overnights in Eastend with Shelley & Bob, I only skirted the East block…wonderful terrain! Thanks once again, for taking me with you.
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Hi you two!..on the road again..keep going!..we have experienced the posted sign condition – Impassable When Wet!..yikes..clay `gumbo – mud slick and thick, and oh so easy to slide off of and into la ditch!..
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Thank’s . I enjoy these little armchair trip’s
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