BANFF – Two students have learned hiking in pairs is not enough at the Lake Minnewanka backcountry campground after being helicoptered out of Banff National Park and fined $750 each.
On July 25, park wardens received a tip of a two-person group hiking into the Lake Minnewanka backcountry campgrounds, also known as LM-31, approximately 31 kilometres from the trailhead, where travel is restricted to groups of four people or more, due to the fact it is prime grizzly bear habitat.
A Parks Canada Warden from Banff flew out the following day, on July 26, with Alpine Helicopters Inc. to speak to the pair. Jaymes Schmidt, 23, and Marina Matthies, 26, admitted to hiking in a group of two, but said they had tried to contact Parks prior to the backcountry camping trip for further clarification on the hiking restrictions. They also said they did not see the signage at the beginning of the trailhead noting the restrictions.
Because Schmidt and Matthies travelled through the Devil's Gap trailhead to their campsite, it was determined the pair would have to be flown out via helicopter to avoid re-entering the restricted area and re-offending. Both were charged under the Canadian National Parks Act.
The case was brought before Judge Margaret Keelaghan on Sept. 25 in the Canmore Provincial Court with family appearing on behalf of the accused, both of whom pleaded guilty to the charge of travelling in a restricted area.
Federal Crown prosecutor Anita Szabo was originally seeking fines of $1,000 each, but after taking into consideration both are students and the fact they tried to contact parks prior to their trip, she reduced the fine recommendation to $750 each.
Judge Keelaghan agreed to the fine amount and gave Schmidt and Matthies six months to pay the fine where monies will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF).
Noted as a high use area for grizzly bears, the Lake Minnewanka area has several restrictions for hikers or the Lake Minnewanka Trail from Stewart Canyon Bridge to the East Park Boundary, Aylmer Pass Trail and Aylmer Lookout Trail.
Throughout the summer, hikers must be in groups of four or more, carrying bear spray at all times; cycling is not permitted along the Lake Minnewanka Trail; and dogs are not allowed beyond Stewart Canyon Bridge, according to the Parks Canada website.
One of the key attractions is the abundance of food sources such as buffaloberries, where hikers travelling alone or in small groups have surprised female grizzlies with cubs in past years.
