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West of Rocky Mountain House the Clearwater forest provides abundant opportunities for ATV exploration and adventure. Trails are maintained by various ATV and outdoors groups such as the Bighorn Heritage ATV Society and Rocky Fish and Game.

Within 30 minutes travel, Chambers Creek recreation area sports maintained trails and campsites from which to base a wilderness adventure. Within a 40 minute drive of Rocky Mountain House, Jackfish Lake recreation area provides riding opportunities with trails leading to Lawrence Creek, Baptists River, and Macgregor Lake.

Further out, within 90 minutes drive from town the Kiska/Wilson Forestry Land Use Zone provides maintained trails around the east end of Abraham Lake, and along Crooked Creek and Joyce Creek. Maintained trails are marked and built with family and the "recently skilled" in mind. More steep, difficult trails are available but detours around these are always in place.

 

South on the trunk road from Nordegg or west of Cow Lake to the trunk road and then north, is where the Hummingbird Recreation Area can be found. Three maintained trails, the Hummingbird Creek trail, the Canary Creek Trail and the Onion Lake trail all provide exquisite scenery, and a full day of riding. Many backcountry campsites already are in place for those who prefer a longer stay. Grizzly and black bear, bighorn sheep, whitetail deer, elk, wolf, marten and fisher all inhabit the area. Loons can be seen in the lakes and will serenade you with their wilderness solos in the quiet hours of twilight, and the Swainsons thrush will provide you with his thrilling call early in the morning and late in the evening if yo happen to be there during the month of June.

The importance of staying on the designated trail is heavily emphasized. We must protect what wilderness we have, it is a valuable and shrinking commodity. High traffic volumes without concern for the environment could devastate some areas. The Bighorn ATV Society, Alberta Sustainable Resources or other clubs can provide maps and advise on trail conditions and levels of difficulty, and rules for trail etiquette.

Alberta is known for it's sunny skies, but bring rain gear, you won't want to miss a moment. One has to experience the air at 5500 plus feet of elevation, feel the wind in your face, fresh off the peaks of the Rockies, catch the scent of the jackpine, the fir or the larch in the forest, or the Wolf Willow in bloom along the creeks. Trails lead through mixed wood forests of the foothills, montane, sub-alpine and alpine eco-regions of the east slope environments. These environments are fragile and they deserve our care and concern.

Avian enthusiasts can hunt for their favorite species of bird or perhaps track down that one elusive species they have been working at finding. Fishermen can ply the waters as most streams are open, but be sure to check the regulations before you fish, size limits and barbless hook regulations apply. In the fall, hunters can move their camps in with ATV's and get back to where the adventure is. The photographer will believe he has found nirvana, opportunities abound and more than one award has been procured with photographs from the country west of Rocky Mountain House.

The ATV provides a means for those that are not physically able to hike, mountain bike or backcountry ski the west country. Access is made easier for those with the large amounts of gear which facilitates extended stays, whether they are fishing, camping, hunting with camera or rifle, or simply require more because of their physical condition. This country is open to everyone of all interests. Please keep in mind there are certain factions that believe this area should be shut down to off highway use, please do not give them ammunition for their cause.

If we use respect, we will be able to pass these privileges on to our children. Please stay o the trails, out of the creeks and muskegs, don't molest the wildlife, stay off trappers trails and out of their cabins. Have fun and enjoy what the west country has to offer, your adventure starts here!

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