Alberta Parks is asking the public to help fix their favourite trails.
While many roadways and facilities have been restored after the June flooding, Alberta Parks needs more hands to ensure many popular routes – everything from Heart Creek to Highwood – are repaired as quickly as possible.
“People who are interested in helping work on backcountry trails can sign up and volunteer to help with anything,” said district Conservation Officer Glenn Naylor. “It doesn’t mean you have to move big rocks and trees. The program entails many significant components.”
No extra trail crews were hired for the work, but Alberta Parks crews are still hard at work. The Bill Warren Training Centre was able to lend two extra staff to Alberta Parks, since they couldn’t access their jobs at the Haig Glaicier due to bridge washouts, but more help is needed. Parks believes the public can play a role, and are asking interested volunteers to sign up online.
Much of Kananaskis Country is open again. Highway 40 is open from Barrier Lake to the winter closure, as are all of the facilities and campgrounds along the way. The Smith-Dorrien road is also open from the southern end, allowing access to several hiking trails.
“Everything is running as per normal. William Watson Lodge is open. All of the interpretive programs are running as per normal. Most of our hiking trails are open, however, there are localized trail closures on some trails,” Naylor said.
A yeoman’s effort resulted in the road and trail openings. Alberta Transportation and Alberta Parks trail crews have done a huge amount of work.
“Alberta Transportation, Volker Stevin and their contractors did an amazing amount of work. The bridge over Evan Thomas Creek has traffic lights, but it’s basically business as usual,” Naylor said. “Trail crews have done a phenomenal job working on backcountry issues. What they’ve accomplished is unbelievable.”
Hikers will notice changes in the backcountry. At press time, only one backcountry campground is open, and other trails have a new look.
“Most hiking trails are open, however, there will be localized trail closures on some trails. That may mean the whole trail is closed or a junction is closed. The best thing to do is check ahead. Be proactive and call before you leave,” Naylor said. “For trails like Heart Creek, when it opens up again, it will be like a brand new trail and you have to expect semi-wilderness conditions. It’s like we’re going back to the ‘70s with new trails, new everything.”
There is still no price tag on the work, but crews are progressing quickly. No environmental assessments are needed for the new work, as they fall on existing footprints, Naylor said.
In most cases, bridges and trails were not moved, despite the threat of high water.
“Most of the trails are built to the same standard as before. Some of the bridges may be made higher and bigger, but in general, things will get back to the way they were,” Naylor said. “Trail crews are looking after that stuff and making the changes that need to be made.”
In general, the public has respected trail closures, although some tickets have been issued. Open trails are busier than ever and Naylor hopes crowds will spread out soon. Caution is required though and he doesn’t recommend fording deep rivers.
“Just because a trail is open, it doesn’t mean there are no hazards. If you’re doing any activity on the landscape, you have to use awareness and caution. Appropriate footwear is necessary. Watch out for undercut banks,” Naylor said. “You may encounter wilderness conditions, so hike with awareness and caution. This applies to any trail.”
Visitor information centres are open and trail information is available at 403-678-0670.
