BOU AVENUE
Blue Hill Lookout
Considering the limited number of viable hiking objectives in light of a recent snow storm, I suggested to Bob Spirko that we should hike up Blue Hill Lookout near Sundre, Alberta on 10 May 2008.  Despite the low elevation of the lookout, snow covered the access road all the way from the bottom to the top.  Bob did a heroic job of breaking trail most of the way up (I could not keep up with him!), especially the last few kilometres where the snow was consistently knee-deep or worse.  After about 3.5 hours of uninspiring post-holing, we were disappointed by the marginal views from the top, but Sharon, the lookout keeper, did her best to entertain us with some interesting stories about her job and the local fauna.  The return trip was just as tiring as it was boring, and Bob and I could not get out of there fast enough when we returned to my car.

Be sure to check out Bob's trip report here.
The snow isn't too deep here, but it's still tiring breaking trail. Bob trudges up the fire road.
Definitely a much more worthwhile destination! A rare clearing grants this view of Black Rock Mountain.
It's disturbing to know that we still have another kilometre of postholing! Bob passes a disturbing sign.
Bob was a machine! The snow starts to get deep at this point.
We slogged all the way up for this?? A cluster of antennas and buildings crowd the lookout site.
Nice beaver... This cheerful-looking sign greets visitors to the lookout.
Nice clearcuts, eh? This is the view to the south from the top.
The views might be better from up there, but I doubt it! Bob stands below the 20-feet high lookout tower.
With all the antennas here, it's hard to believe she gets only 7 channels on her TV! Sharon gets Bob to sign her visitor logbook.
Hope to bag this one later this year... Devil's Head is striking even in the hazy distance.
Looks like it might be a decent scramble if you can get in there... Dormer Mountain dominates the horizon to the west.
That was 7 hours of my life that I'll never get back! This trip would probably be better to do on skis or by mountain bike when dry.