Grizzly cub near Alaska Highway south of Haines Junction, Yukon (Photo by Lacey Hebert, www.lbearphotography.com) — *Grizzly cub near Alaska Highway south of Haines Junction, Yukon (Photo by Lacey Hebert, www.lbearphotography.com*)

The Lost Population of Plains Grizzlies

February 28, 2017 in Nature & Ecology

Bumbling black bears were not always the apex predators of Saskatchewan's boreal forest. Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos, formerly known as 'ursa horribilis') were once an abundant species in the prairie provinces whose range extended from the Rocky Mountains to east of Winnipeg.

Although the plains population was reportedly extirpated in the 1880s, confirmed reports in east-central Saskatchewan and western Manitoba were relatively recent within the last century. The last reputable sightings occurred in the Pasquia Hills until 1950, and Porcupine Hills in 1960 (White, 1965).

This is a 19th century map of the estimated boundaries of Lake Agassiz. Following the western shore, from upper-left to lower right, you will find the prairie "mountain range," also known as Pasquia Hills, Porcupine Hills, Duck Mountain, Riding Moun… — This is a 19th century map of the estimated boundaries of Lake Agassiz. Following the western shore, from upper-left to lower right, you will find the prairie "mountain range," also known as Pasquia Hills, Porcupine Hills, Duck Mountain, Riding Mountain and Turtle Mountain.

Prairie Peaks: Duck Mountain

January 28, 2016 in Nature & Ecology, Outdoor Adventure

In Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Manitoba, the prairie peaks start to make a little bit more sense.

Even though a small portion of the Duck Mountain highlands are in Saskatchewan, the topography pales in comparison to the eastern ridge in Manitoba. That's because this prairie "mountain range" was part of the western shore of a deceased glacial lake, Lake Agassiz.

Alright, they're not true mountains in the sense that they were never formed by tectonic movement uplifting the earth's crust, or volcanic activity. They were formed solely by erosion and the accumulation of glacial till. Still, this is enough to give the elevation prominence when considering the flat prairies beneath.

Prairie Peaks: Baldy Mountain

October 15, 2015 in Nature & Ecology, Outdoor Adventure

As part of the Manitoba Escarpment, Duck Mountain Provincial Park already benefits from some exaggerated elevation differences between its peaks and the Manitoba lowlands. But the park also contains Baldy Mountain, which officially claims the title of "highest point in the province."

*A view of the transition area between Duck Mountain and Riding Mountain as seen from Baldy Mountain lookout tower.*

ABOUT BALDY MOUNTAIN

At an elevation of 832 m (2,730 ft), Baldy Mountain presides at 400 m (1,310 ft) above the surrounding lowlands. Like the Duck Mountains themselves, it is shaped entirely by glacial till from the most recent ice age up to 85,000 years ago. These glacial deposits, which can run quite thick in The Ducks, sit on top of a bed of cretaceous shale that is over 70 million years old.

The peak is road accessible, situated north of Dauphin and Grandview, Manitoba. You can drive right up to the lookout tower, but there are also a series of hiking trails that can keep you busy for an hour, an entire afternoon, or a lifetime if you forget your compass.

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