A view from south end of Plateau Mt. Ecological Reserve, Kananaskis

On 6 July 2012, a small group of us were privileged to be able to access the Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve. This mountain (SW of Calgary) is at the southern end of Kananaskis, located in the Livingstone Range of the Rocky Mountain Region. The plateau rises gradually from about 2,280 metres in the north to 2,519 metres at the summit near the south end of the plateau. This image was taken when we took a look at the southern end. There is a gate across the road up to Plateau Mt. that is kept locked, preventing access other than for workers checking the small gas plant at the top (which is going to be closing down), and for certain people who have permission to go for scientific reasons. Very fortunately, we were able to get access, so were able to drive to the top of the plateau. We walked from the south end to the north end (about 9 kms round trip, which was much further than many of us were expecting, lol!)) At the north end, we saw the plaque giving information about the Ice Cave that is somewhere in this area, gated so that no one can enter. They found one of our target plants at the north end, the rare Pedicularis flammea (flame coloured lousewort). I was thrilled to find a little cluster of them (mainly leaves and just one flower in bloom and another with dead flowers), without having to walk that extra distance to see theirs! By the way, I was down on all fours in water from the melting snow to get photos of it, ha. Can you imagine finding one very tiny plant of a certain species on a mountain top like this? It always amazes me when it happens. As you can see from my photo, it was a beautiful day (though it was not hot, thank goodness), with a strong and cooling wind. A good variety of plants - and great company, some very familiar faces and some new, which is always nice. Thanks so much for the ride, Stephen - as always, greatly appreciated! (Location on my map is only very approximate!)

"This nearly flat high-elevation plateau is recognized for several unique features. There is an internationally recognized ice cave with ice crystals, curls, sheets and pillars (ice crystals are so fragile that a temperature increase of one degree Celsius can cause melting). The periglacial features (known as "patterned ground") in the reserve include active permafrost, sorted stone circles, polygons, steps and frost boils. The area also contains critical winter range for bighorn sheep." From www.albertaparks.ca/plateau-mountain.aspx

There are no public roads in Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve; the road to the mountain top is leased by Husky Oil; to prevent vandalism to natural gas production facilities and to lessen impact on the area's natural features, access is controlled by the locked gate; travel in the reserve is by foot only; there are no facilities on site and overnight camping and open fires are prohibited."

www.albertaparks.ca/media/2741526/plateau_mtn_mgmt_plan.pdf