CANMORE – Ha Ling trail will remain closed until the spring after an early season snow fall made it no longer safe for construction work to continue.
The popular trail was initially closed in April on a temporary basis to allow crews to begin to reroute it. However at the beginning of August Alberta Parks announced a full closure of the trail to allow heavy equipment and crews to work in the area, including cutting down trees and blasting rock.
The closure was extended in late August until the first week of October, when it was expected to reopen if weather conditions prevailed.
On Oct. 9, AEP announced that due to the snowy weather conditions, construction work was not completed and several hazards still exist throughout the trail.
“Due to the lack of hazard visibility and way finding issues, Ha Ling Peak will remain closed over the winter of 2018-19 to ensure the safety of Alberta Parks users,” stated an advisory on AEP’s website.
“Alberta Parks will not permit access to hiking and climbing routes on Ha Ling Peak during the area closure. Alberta Parks users are asked to respect the closure notices for their own safety.”
In addition to improving Ha Ling trail, construction continues on Spray Lakes Road below Whiteman’s Pond and Grassi Lakes day use area. It is expected to be complete by Oct. 16.
