Pictograph hike

And so we gathered on a gorgeous sunny thursday
to hike up to the pictographs.

The kids hung out by the pond while we waited for

everyone to assemble.

Then we started up the trail. The kids knew

the way....

We climbed up and up.

We saw the tracks of fellow travellers. Deer mostly.

And we hiked up.

And up.

And continued to go....up.

Pausing to catch my breath and a close flying

helicopter which was landing and taking off nearby.

The view 3/4 of the way up.

And here we are still going...up.

The deer we disturbed from sunbathing....if only

she could talk.....

And another gorgeous view from further up.

The first pictograph we come to at the top of the mountain.

Last time we did this hike we were greeted at the top

by a construction crew. The driver happened to be First

Nation and he shared the story of the pictograph with us.

He told us that in ancient times the boys of the tribe would

go on a Vision Quest around the age of puberty. They would be

left in the hills to fend for themselves and would not be

allowed to return until they had their vision. Then they would

paint the image on the rock using ochre and probably bear

grease. The oral tradition is such that noone but the person

who painted the image knows the meaning. These pictographs

are probably thousands of years old.

Heading over to the second set of pictographs.

So cool!

These pictographs are located above and around

a cave. There is evidence of many fires in the

firepit here.

There are so many images.

We refer to this one as Mama Coyote and Baby.

Only the painter knows for sure.

Looks like a bear.

Then the kids did some rockclimbing.

Just another gorgeous view. Wow.

More of the same.

And the kids just ran wild and free on top of

the mountain. They pretended to be wild stallions

and such.

The mammas chilled out and enjoyed the sun.

My sweet girl!

Framed by nature. Yummy!