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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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