Coulee Trail Loop
Run time: 59:42 + 2-minute kick
A hidden gem in the Canadian prairie. As soon as I saw the terrain on the satellite photo, and the trails on the All Trails map, I knew this would be good running. The hotel was right at the upper border of these ridges that run down to the river – a perfect location for the travelling runner.
The trails were fantastic – hard-packed dirt with sandy red sediment on top. They ran down all the ridges, with beautiful staircases built for the steepest sections. The drop-off down to the park below was dramatic. Between the ridges were narrower trails with switchbacks.
The real attraction was the scenery. The river valley was spectacular. You had a sense of the natural forces of land formation, of erosion and wind, of the age of the land. Our presence here is a mere blip on the chart. For all of the harm and disruption we have caused, when we are gone the evidence of our existence will inevitably wear away.
One thing that might last awhile is this railroad trestle. It is truly impressive. How the hell did we make something so magnificent and durable so long ago that looks like it will be here longer than any paved roadway? All I could think of is how vulnerable one might feel crossing it, even on a train. It gets really windy in the Canadian prairie.
One difficulty on a run like this is keeping a consistent pace when you want to stop every two minutes to take a photo. I try to take photos only when I am walking, but I do not always retrace steps, so it is sometimes necessary to stop the run. This was a great run because of the elevation changes. Running up through the switchbacks was invigorating.
I hope the Lethbridgeans appreciate what they have here in this trail system. Beyond the trestle there were private property signs, but the trail keeps going. Of course it does. How could anyone claim ownership of place? Talk about hubris.
There is a tendency to think that progress is always moving forward. When I see what engineers designed and people built in 1909, with seemingly less technology and fewer resources, I wonder if we are truly doing something better now. If we are, I am not seeing it. But then, maybe I am not looking in the right place.
Don't Make It a Habit. Make It a Ritual. 