Location: Ada Boulevard & 52 St.
Stair count: 89
I could be wrong, but it's my belief that anyone who lives in Edmonton, and uses the River Valley trail system with intention, has a set of "default stairs." It may not be their favourite set, or even the one closest to their home or place of work. But, for whatever reason, it's the set of stairs they gravitate to the most, or come across the most, when they are seeking to spend time in the River Valley.
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| Highlands Stairs (c) Photos By Gina |
For me, it's the Highlands Stairs.* For much of the last 20 years that I've lived within walking distance of this part of the river valley, the stairs never even existed. As far as River Valley stairs go, they're a newer set. I want to say they were installed just before Covid--which really isn't new at this point, chronologically speaking, but between the much longer history of some sets of stairs, and that weird thing Covid did to time, they still feel new.
And I'm so glad they were installed.
They're the stairs I stand on to catch the sunset over the river when I wasn't planning to catch the sunset at all, but the sky had other plans.
They're the stairs where I do Canadian party tricks at -30°C.
They're the stairs from which I watch and listen as the frazil floats along the current.
They're the stairs I pause on to see if the water level is low enough to look for cool rocks along the shore.
They're the stairs I generally descend, but rarely ascend, because my walking habits generally take me in a loop, not out and back.
They're not the longest set; they're not the steepest set; I'm not even sure if they're my favourite set (do I have a favourite set? I will have to think on that). But they are definitely my default set. Easy-access and multi-purpose, they connect me to and from the river, the trails, and my neighbourhood--in all seasons.
My default stairs.
*They aren't officially named that, though some sets of River Valley stairs do have recognized names. But that's what I call them.
