The last time I went hiking on Remembrance Day was 12 years ago while visiting Las Vegas with three of my girlfriends. We rented a vehicle and drove out to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to hike and explore.

Today’s hike was very different from that one! Here in Alberta, we usually have snow by Halloween that stays on the ground until spring, but this year the weather has been unseasonably warm. Today we decided to go for a hike just because we could!

Because it’s hunting season and today was a holiday for many, we decided to choose a provincial park where there would be no chance of being mistaken for game by an unwary hunter. We chose Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, where we often enjoy camping and hiking in the fall, because we hadn’t made it there this year.

According to the weather forecast, it was supposed to be 7ºC (45ºF) when we arrived at the trailhead around noon, but it was not. It was only 4ºC (39ºF). A mid afternoon high of 14ºC (57ºF), much warmer than the average high for this day, was predicted. In reality, it didn’t get anywhere near that warm, but we had come prepared and were dressed for the cold. I was thankful that I’d brought a toque along and we were both glad to have gloves to keep our hands warm. While we were sitting on a fallen log beside the trail eating our lunch, the sun tried to break through, but most of the day was overcast.

In spite of how late in the season it is, most of the trail was in excellent condition. There were, however, some snowy and icy patches where we had to watch our footing.

Although the trail was one we’re very familiar with, the surroundings were very different from what we’re accustomed to. The many small water bodies were largely covered by ice and without leaves on the trees and bushes, we could see through them to what lay beyond more easily than usual.

Bright red rose hips and a few coloured leaves clinging to otherwise bare stems were the only tiny splashes of colour in an otherwise monochromatic landscape.

After hiking 9.1 km (5.7 miles), we arrived back at the trailhead and were surprised to see how many vehicles were in the parking lot. Apparently we weren’t the only ones crazy enough to tackle an early winter hike on a chilly day!