Raptor Ridge Ramble
A favorite route which has no trail is a loop over Raptor Ridge and back past the ponds on either side. Almost no one hikes through these hills so its a good place to observe waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, insects, wildflowers, and the middle grasslands environment. I call it Raptor Ridge becuase much of the area is treeless and there are a few taller trees and snags on top of the ridge which often have red-tailed hawks or other raptors watching the grasslands for their next meal. I usually park off the Lac ud Bois Road at a small pullout at about 0.6 km past the 7 km sign. There are a couple of large erratics nearby. The route goes northeast across the gentle slope to the south end of Raptor Ridge. From there, i just follow the line of the ridge. On this outing, I stayed on the eastern side of the ridge on the way up.
There are some larger erratics at the base of the hill, left from a ride on a glacier at the end of the last ice age. There are smaller ones on top of Raptor Ridge. The top of the hill provides 360 degree views of the grasslands.
There are some old snags on top of the hill, this time with no raptors perched on the branches.
I wound down the north slope to the seasonal ponds and noted some reflections in the still waters.
In spring, the ponds are full of melt waters and marsh growth will begin soon. Ducks dabble in the ponds feeding on pond insects and soft growth plants. In early summer green annual pickleweed will grow on the alkali salts fringes of the ponds. In late summer, the pickleweed will turn red.
contentMy route started along the larger pond on the western side, but this was scaring off pairs of ducks (mostly mergansers and mallards) so i angled back up the steep hillside to the top of the ridge. The sun shone through wispy clouds to the south of the ridge.
The long pond sits in a low trench between the Lac du Bois Road and Raptor Ridge. Various psots on both sides make great places to observe waterfowl with binoculars or spotting scopes. I am not usually that patient so I kept hiking, noting wildflowers, shrubs and trees, insects (pollinators and ants this time), and landforms along the way.
contentthe far south end of the pond is a great place to see red pickleweed in late summer, but is also a picturesque spot to photograph in the middle grasslands.
The loop was only about 3.5 km, but progress was slow with no trail, some steep sections, and lots of looking around. Raptor Ridge is a personal favorite
Some wildflowers and other flora is featured here, part of noting the “birds, bees, and blossoms” along the hiking route. All photos taken by the author. Click an image for a larger view and a caption/ID.
