Vision Quest Hike David Thompson Country

Vision Quest trailhead is located near Abraham Lake next to the David Thompson Highway (#11) 190km west of Rocky Mountain House. A 4.5 hour drive from Edmonton, 3.6 hours from Calgary. If you're traveling from Calgary the route through the National Parks is shorter then heading through Rocky Mountain House. Allow 3.5 hours return, approximate elevation gain is 780m. Park at the waste transfer site Just east of David Thompson Resort. The trailhead starts on the right hand side of the waste site then winds it way up Vision Quest Ridge. The trail is very steep all the way to the top of the ridge. The views of Abraham Lake are absolutely beautiful and well worth the uphill grind. Approximately 1/3 of the way up you'll come upon a level bench in the rock that was once an old vision quest site. Someone has tied several strands of flag tape to a tree trying to represent the ceremonial fashion of a Stoney Indian vision quest. This is not a real representation. The initial vision quest site was probably used several years ago when very few people we're in the area. From this point continue working your way up until you reach the ridge and the cliff face called the buckle named after a similar looking climb in Scotland. Once your on the ridge the views towards the west and east North Saskatchewan River Valley are stunning. Abraham Lake's blue green color is created from glacial silt. Several Limber Pines can be found growing near the ridge edge. Limber Pines can be very old. The ones found at Big Whirlpool are the oldest trees in Alberta. There are several hiking trails located in this area. To mention a few, Alexander Henry's Trail, Siffleur Falls Hike, Crescent Falls Hike, Hoodoo Creek Hike, Kinglet Lake Hike, Loudon Creek Hike, Two O'clock Ridge Hike, Tuff Puff, Windy Point Ridge Hike, Allstones Creek Hike, Allstones Lake Hike, Ice Falls Loop, Coral Ridge, Big Whirlpool & Whirlpool Ridge, Owen Creek, Cline and Coral Canyons are all located near here. You are in bear country.