9:10 am

Thought it would be a good idea to sit in the van and take a photo or two before leaving the city.

It is not a good idea to take photos while driving.

The new norm these days is to expect the parking lots to be full at most of the trailheads so parking along the roadside is not uncommon any longer.

10:42 am

Our route will follow the squiggly line starting from the lower left and up to the triangle left of Jumpingpound Mountain, and then follow along the lower side of the triangle to our destination.

This is about a 4km hike to the summit and an approximate elevation gain of 400 metres.

Other members of our group took a longer route with more than twice our distance coming in from the top and crossed over from the top of the triangle.

Removing a pebble from his boot.

12 o'clock

Just minutes away from the ridge.

The longer route hikers left Calgary sooner than we did and arrived on the ridge earlier than us.

Hiker's social distancing.

The never ending wind blew a plastic bag from Laura's hand and the pursuit is on.

Gotcha!

Not to be denied.

The views do not get any better than this. Nosiree.

The actual Jumpingpound summit is yonder along the trail in the centre and another kilometre away. Most of us have been there before so today we are staying put and enjoying the views.

Besides those are a lot of ups and downs to deal with,

There are 10 single people in this group and 2 are men.

I had anchored my tripod and camera on the slope below us and set the timer to go off in 10 seconds. It took 8 seconds to hustle back up-slope and settle in next to Janet, sharing the flag and all the while harmonizing O Canada.

Time to head back down.

The longer route gang will soon follow a trail off to the right while the rest of us will veer to the left.

But not before I do my rendition of Julie Andrews' opening song in the Sound of Music.

Liz has the same idea.

Heading up while we are heading down.

Once down we made our way back to Sibbald Lake, one of our favourite hangouts before heading back to the city.

Watching the loon makes its way into shore.