Adventures for Wilderness, Crocus Hunt and Geology Tour — April 6, 2024

April 6, 2024

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• Adventures for Wilderness
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Photos by Debborah Donnelly and Allison Scoville
Text by Lindsey Wallis

It wasn’t looking good. It had dumped snow a few days prior, and when Lindsey Wallis appeared on CBC Radio’s “The Homestretch” Friday afternoon, the host wondered if crocus hunting would even be possible. However, by Friday afternoon the sun was shining brilliantly and the snow was beginning to melt.

It was a cool and blustery morning, but a hardy bunch gathered on Nose Hill to look for some of the first signs of Alberta spring. Despite the weather, there were signs that spring was coming, from buds starting to develop on willows to plants beginning to send out new growth. An AWA tradition, the crocus hunt is in memory of two of our beloved volunteers Margaret Main and Gus Yaki. To start the hike the group took a moment to remember those special to them and memories made in wild places

Geologist Tako Koning and botanist Karel Bergmann were along to share their knowledge of the area. Participants took time to enjoy the intricate patterns of lichen on the rocks, as well as learn about the history of the rocks themselves. These erratics, drooped by receding glaciers were used by bison to rub off their heavy winter coats with the arrival of spring!

Despite snow covering much of the hill, the group was persistent in their search, and eventually rewarded. The sun peaked out from behind the clouds, and everyone basked in the warm rays, removing layers of jackets and toques.

And there they were – some fuzzy little crocus heads poking up through the ground. A sign of persistence and renewal. Soon these fuzzy buds would blossom into a beautiful purple crocus!\

Perhaps not a hike filled with purple glory as Nose Hill sometimes is, but, as one participant quipped, “It’s something to get me out of the house!” One intrepid adventurer continued up the hill after everyone had departed and was rewarded with a bedraggled but blooming crocus! Proof that persistence does pay off.