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Kananaskis Country Trails—Weekly Synopsis
| Kananaskis
Country's Trails Report is updated weekly on Thursdays unless
important new conditions
Last Updated
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Friday, December 01, 2006 at 4:31:50 PM (MST)
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Bow Valley Provincial Park and Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park
(403) 673-3985
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For those looking for hiking options in Kananaskis Country, Bow Valley may be your last bet. Lower elevation trails are now snow covered with 5-10cm of snow, with more at higher elevations and slippery sections throughout. The weekend forecast calls for flurries and temperatures between minus ten and minus five.
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Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park
(403) 678-2400
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While skiing is not recommended on natural snow base trails, 3.1km of groomed and trackset trails are available on the biathlon race course loop and a further 2.5km are groomed and trackset in the stadium area. Trail fees are now in effect.
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Next Event
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November 30th – Haywood Noram Cross-Country Race.
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Hours of Operation
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The Fresh Trax Cafe is now closed until the ski season begins.
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Elbow Valley Trails
(403) 949-4261
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The area received 8cm of new snow in valley bottoms with more at elevation. Strong Chinook winds blew numerous trees and tree debris onto trails in the area so caution is advised for natural hazards including fallen trees, slippery sections and thin ice at creek crossings.
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Note
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Elbow Valley Trail; The new trail re-route is not complete. Use existing trail but watch for fallen trees.
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Closed
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The Hwy #66, Powderface and McLean Creek seasonal road closures begin December 1st.
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Hours of Operation
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The Elbow Valley Visitor Information Centre is only open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Highwood/Cataract Trails
(403) 591-6322
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The area received another 15cm of snow this week which helps the snow pack, but numerous trees cover most trails due to extreme winds in mid-November. No grooming or packing of trails has begun and caution is advised for the numerous natural hazards in the area. Creek crossings have begun to freeze, but thin ice still exists on many crossings.
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Note
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For more information please contact any Kananaskis Visitor Centre or the Sheep River Parks office at (403) 933-7172.
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Closed
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The seasonal closure of Hwy #40 north of the Hwy #940 | Hwy #541 | Hwy #40 junction begins December 1st.
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Closed
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The Hwy #940 seasonal closure, south of Cataract Creek and north of Wilkinson's Summit also begins on December 1st.
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Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
(403) 591-6322
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Many lower elevation trails at the northern end of PLPP were groomed only on November 30th and have fair conditions. A select few trails at the north end including Pocaterra, Lodgepole, Meadow and Wheeler were partially trackset and conditions are fair, but with a little more snow these trails will be good. Trails at the southern end of the Park including Elk Pass, Blueberry Hill, Patterson, Hydroline and Tyrwhitt were trackset this week and have good conditions.
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Note
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Pocaterra Hut will open for the season on December 1st and will be open daily from 9AM until 4:30PM.
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Closed
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Please note that the seasonal closure of Hwy #40, south of the Kananaskis Lakes Trail begins on December 1st.
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Hours of Operation
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The Peter Lougheed Visitor Information Centre is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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Ribbon Creek / Kananaskis Valley
(403) 673-3985
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Packing and grooming begun this week but lower elevation trails have a very thin base and marginal skiing at best. Higher elevation trails in the vicinity of the Kananaskis Village have slightly more snow and trails in this area have a thin base with occasional twigs poking through. The best ski conditions in this area will be found on the upper sections of Skogan Pass.
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Note
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Vehicle traffic on Ribbon Creek Trail due to the aforementioned bridge construction – skiing not recommended.
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Note
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Due to bridge removal and construction on Link Trail, there is no access to Ribbon Creek Trail via Kovach Trail.
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Note
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There is vehicle traffic on the Wedge Connector trail due to bridge construction. Skiing is not recommended.
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Hours of Operation
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The Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m and can be reached at (403) 673-3985.
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Sheep River Valley
(403) 933-7172
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This area received 8cm of new snow in valley bottoms with more found at higher elevations. Unfortunately trails in this area are covered with numerous fallen trees due to extreme winds in mid-November. Trails staff continue to remove trees but the process will take time so caution is advised for these and other natural hazards including thin ice at crossings.
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Note
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The Gorge Creek seasonal road closure begins on Friday, December 1st.
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Note
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The Sheep River Parks office is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
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Note
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Please note that the Hwy #546 seasonal closure, west of Sandy McNabb campground begins December 1st.
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Sibbald Trails
(403) 673-3985
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Trails are now covered by a thin layer of new snow, which hides underlying slippery sections. Higher elevation trails have more snow. Caution is advised for natural hazards, including numerous fallen trees from strong winds earlier this month.
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Note
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The seasonal closure of the Powderface Trail (road) begins December 1st.
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Spray Valley Provincial Park & Smith-Dorrien Area Trails
(403) 591-6322
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Snow has been falling in the Smith Dorrien area and the Chester parking lot now has a base of 59cm. No new grooming work has been done on the Chester/Sawmill trails, but trails in the area have a good base for skiing. The Mt.Shark area received some packing/grooming work this week and fair conditions can now be found on the Watridge Lake trail and the 2km Blue Loop. Marginal conditions exist on most other trails in this area. Snowshoers will find good conditions on the Chester and Hogarth Lakes snowshoe trails.
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Note
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The Buller Mountain Day Use Area is now available for winter camping at a cost of $11.00 per unit.
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PLEASE REPORT HAZARDS AND TRAIL CONDITIONS TO OUR VISITOR CENTRES.
NOTE: Trail users, please use caution and be prepared for fallen trees, washouts and other natural hazards.
Backcountry users are advised to check the "Avalanche Report" on the Kananaskis Country
website.
NOTE: Permits are required for all backcountry camping in Kananaskis Provincial Parks and some areas of Wildland Provincial Parks. These can be purchased in person at Kananaskis Country Visitor Centres, or by phone at (403) 678-3136 (to make this a toll-free call, dial the government rite line at 310-0000). Permit costs are $8.00 per night for people aged sixteen and older. There is also a non-refundable administration fee of $8.00 and GST. Please note that 48 hours notice of cancellation is required for a refund of camping permit fee.
Updated by: ch
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