Here's a question for you: why set out on a hike when you can view all 10km of the trail from the trailhead? It's the question that left us wondering if it would be worthwhile visiting Grasslands National Park, Canada's only Prairie National Park, at all.
You don't have to travel the remote roads of southern Saskatchewan to get an idea of what the terrain will look like at Grasslands - perhaps not surprisingly one of the least visited national parks in the system. Its grassy and flat. What more could there be to it?
Having overcome our initial reservations to take the time to pay it a visit, I'm very pleased to report there's much more to Grasslands than you might expect. This unassuming park is in fact a unique jewel in the crown - an undiscovered gem, so to speak - of Canada's most memorable national parks.
So, to get back to the question at hand. Why set out on a hike when you can view all 10km of the trail from the trailhead? The answer is in the endless small details and infinite view points you'll encounter along the way. Grasslands is a wanderer's park, best suited for those who prefer the journey itself over the accomplishment of reaching that milestone destination. If you take the time, you'll see that at every one of the infinite view points to be seen from its hiking trails is a vast and stunningly beautiful landscape.
We hiked two of the park's trails and I really wish we had time for more. We walked 7km of the trails at 70 Mile Butte close to sunset (as suggested in the park brochure). We also took in the shorter Two Trees trail at the park's western access point. Both trails were spectacular.
I hope to post some pics during our upcoming stop in Regina but to do the park justice you really must see it for yourself. I promise you won't be disappointed.
5 comments:
Looks like a great trip thus far. May I suggest a stop in Rossport on the north shore of Lake Superior not much there but there used to be a lovely cafe called serendipity and it has delicious food. Also camping and swimming at Panake bay. ....perhaps the warmest water on superior.
Your blogs are awesome. Your comments re: Grasslands National park trails put me in mind of the bog trail at Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne - looks like you can see it all without walking another step, yet you'll have seen nothing.
Thanks for the suggestion, Bernadette! We camped at the Agawa Bay Campsite in Lake Superior Provincial Park (near Pancake Bay). It was too rainy in the morning to go for a swim, but we did enjoy a great fire on the beach the night before. Such a beautiful area of Ontario, hope to go back one day for a stay at Pancake Bay!
Thanks for following along, wecare! I've done the boat tour at Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne, but I didn't do the bog trail. We're hoping to be there in August, so I'll have to look into it! I've always through of Gros Morne as my favourite Canadian National Park.
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