Traffic jams and parking chaos caused by thousands of hikers wanting to admire golden larch trees near Moraine Lake have re-ignited calls for cash-strapped Parks Canada to fund public transportation to tourism hotspots in Banff National Park.
Mounties and park law enforcement staff were forced to temporarily close Moraine Lake Road on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 22-23) as thousands of tourists made the pilgrimage to view the spectacular fall colours.
Parks Canada is bracing for big crowds again this weekend and, although the temperature is not expected to be as warm as last weekend, the forecast is still for good weather.
Tourism officials are appalled there is no better plan in place to deal with traffic, as many regional tourists were disappointed they had to go elsewhere or wait until the road re-opened or cars were intermittently let through.
“It’s ridiculous we haven’t learned from last year’s traffic chaos,” said Monica Andreeff, executive director of the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (AMPPE).
“It highlights there’s a pressing need for Parks Canada to move forward with regional transportation.”
Larch Valley is a unique larch forest high above Moraine Lake, with breathtaking views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks and one of the most popular spots to view larches, which turn from pale green to bright yellow each fall.
Official numbers are not yet in, but it’s estimated there were about 8,500 vehicles each day of last weekend parked along the narrow, winding stretch of road.
It is the second year in a row that Mounties and park law enforcement have been forced to close Moraine Lake Road amid concerns emergency vehicles could not get through the traffic in the event of an emergency.
For more than an hour after the full road closure, cars, tour buses and RVs were allowed onto the road, one at a time, as vehicles exited Moraine Lake Road.
“We know this is not an ideal situation, but public safety is always our No. 1 priority,” said Alex Kolesch, acting visitor experience manager for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay.
“In some respects, it’s gratifying to know this many people want to come to Banff National Park and enjoy the special places, but certainly these are not the circumstances we would hope they come and visit.”
Kolesch said Parks Canada took a number of proactive steps to advise visitors of what to expect at Moraine Lake, including advance warning through traditional and social media and a message sign at the entrance to Lake Louise.
He said Parks Canada is continuing to work with the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission (BVRTSC) over the long-term on public transit in the park.
“They are working with us on flushing out a longer-term plan for transit and what that would like and what would be involved,” Kolesch said. “We want to make sure all possibilities and options are covered.”
Earlier this year, Parks Canada decided to delay startup of a public transit service for the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake – which is identified in the BVRTSC’s five-year business plan – for one or two years.
Parks indicated it needed a business analysis done, including cost estimates, frequency of service, types of buses, and whether there would be a fee for the service.
One of the shorter-term goals of the BVRTSC is a seasonal bus service to popular recreation sites in Banff National Park, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
According to the BVRTSC’s 2011-2016 business plan, year two outlines two routes for Parks Canada, including Moraine Lake and a Banff-Lake Louise route. By year three, the business plan identifies a Lake Minnewanka route, too.
All those timelines have been pushed back, but BVRTSC chair Leslie Taylor said the commission continues to work closely with Parks Canada on the logistics, including bus stops and route times.
However, Taylor said the timing is entirely dependent on Parks Canada, though she said the transit commission hopes it will be “sooner rather than later”.
“We expect the report on all these logistics to be finished before the end of 2012, however, implementation of routes is entirely within the hands of Parks Canada,” she said.
“I know they are actively interested and I know they have many pressures on them, and we just remain ready and keen to get going on this.”
Andreeff said the winter Ice Magic Festival highlights how a shuttle bus system and traffic management plan can lead to a better all-round experience for visitors.
At this year’s festival, shuttles buses took people from the village to Lake Louise, but there were also fun activities in the village area, with children’s activities and interpreters.
“They did a great job on Ice Magic and there were options for Parks Canada to manage this one a bit more proactively, for sure,” she said.
With growth in Calgary and Edmonton, many residents and visitors continue to make the majority of their trips by car, but ongoing marketing is also attracting visitors from across the country and overseas to view the larches.
Stuart Back, director of in-resort services for Banff Lake Louise Tourism, said he believes the big crowds that came to view turning larches last weekend highlight the need for a transportation system sooner rather than later.
“With growth in Calgary and an increase of personal car visitation at the park, these problems are only going to increase and it certainly points to the demand for regional transportation,” he said.
“We’re not dealing with everyday problems, but when you look at visitor numbers on certain peak weekends throughout the summer and potentially the fall, you’re planning for peak demand,” he added.
“It’s about visitor experience. We want to promote the area because we want to encourage visitation and for people to have a great time, but we have to manage logistical matters to maintain that.”
Meanwhile, Parks Canada is bracing for big crowds again this weekend.
Officials point to a number of alternatives to view the larch trees, such as Taylor Lake, Arnica Lake, Boulder Pass, Lake Agnes and Saddleback and also suggest visiting the park mid-week.
“If they do go there on the weekend, all we can do is give people advice to arrive early, and if you’re not going to do a long hike, a late afternoon or early evening hike starting at 4 p.m. would be spectacular,” Kolesch said. “Those times would be less crowded.”
