Alberta Sustainable Resource Development is no longer looking at restricting all-terrain vehicles or random campers in certain southern Alberta trails as dry and windy conditions have melted the snow just in time for the May long weekend.
Officials had recommended last week that ATV riders avoid trails in the forest land use zones of McLean Creek, Ghost, Willow Creek and Castle Special Management Area where higher than average snowpacks and extreme moisture made the soil very susceptible to damage.
“The snow has disappeared and conditions have dried up,” said Roger Meyer, land use management officer with Sustainable Resource Development. “There are no restrictions on ATVs and random camping in those areas. But all normal rules apply.”
ATV riders and campers are still encouraged to stay off any remaining wet trails they may encounter, which could be permanently damaged by activities such as ATV riding, horseback riding, mountain biking, and even hiking.
Aaron Bauer, trail maintenance director with the Rocky Mountain Dirt Riders Association, said members of his club were supporting a restriction and have decided to stay way from those trails this weekend, restriction or not.
“Those areas are still very sensitive at this time of year,” he said. “Add to the mayhem that usually occurs on the long weekend, we don’t recommend that our members be out there and be a part of that.”
He said their club spends countless hours every summer building and maintaining sustainable and safe trails for all users, and he would hate to see all that hard work go to waste with people damaging the land.
“Personally, I plan on staying home this weekend,” Bauer said. “There is a lot of season left as time wears on. There are lots of opportunities to ride when conditions are better.”
Some areas may still be wet but dry conditions in some forest areas have raised new concerns, said Meyer. Grass and moss can build up on ATV exhaust pipes and engines and spark a fire.
“Nothing has really greened up yet so there is a lot of fuel available,” he said.
Meyer reminded campers to respect the provincewide fire ban, which prohibits open flames on the ground, including the use of briquettes and candles. Camping stoves are still permitted.
A blanket ban was issued mainly because much of southern Alberta’s resources have been diverted to fighting the fires in Slave Lake, he added.
Meanwhile, some campgrounds in provincial and national parks will remain closed for the weekend.
This weekend, nearly 900 sites will be closed in Yoho, Banff, and Kootenay National Parks at the following campgrounds: Kicking Horse, Two Jack Main, Two Jack Lakeside, Redstreak and Lake Louise Tent Campground.
“We’ve had an incredible winter this past year. It was, recreation-wise, exactly what everyone was hoping for. Great for snowshoeing, skiing – it was a great Canadian winter,” Parks Canada spokesman Omar McDadi said, adding these closures are unusual for the May long weekend.
“It’s one of the consequences of the high, lingering snowpack. We also had a cold spring.”
Besides camping, people can still take advantage of many day-use areas such as Natural Bridge, Finn Creek and Faeder Lake in Yoho National Park, as well as the many privately run bed and breakfasts, he said.
Provincial park campground closures include Sandy McNabb, Spray Lakes West, Beaver Mines, Chinook Lake, Lynx Creek, Reesor Lake, Spruce Coulee and Battle Creek.
Those who do secure a campsite this weekend can expect cloudy skies today through Sunday. Highs will hover around 19 to 21 C until Monday, when the forecast calls for rain and a high of 12 C, said Global Calgary weather expert Paul Dunphy.
Pat Ronald, district conservation officer with Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, said campers should follow the usual rules such as keeping food properly stored and away from wildlife, keeping liquor within the designated campsites, properly taking care of human waste and refraining from littering.
Meanwhile, RCMP officers and Alberta Sheriffs will be cracking down on speeders and impaired drivers as highway traffic volumes are expected to increase during the long weekend.
“With a high volume of recreational users on the highways mixed with interprovincial traffic and high school graduation weekend, there will be a diverse mixture of traffic,” said RCMP Sgt. Dave Hardy.
“We hope everyone avoids drinking and driving, wears their seatbelts, obeys speed limits, and avoids talking on their cellphones.”
There will be highway checkstops in undisclosed locations in and around the Calgary area, as well as ramped up enforcement leading into the provincial parks.
Acting Sgt. Rob Grensmin with Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol said speeding violations can bring fines anywhere from $57 for going just slightly over the posted speed limit to a mandatory court appearance for exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h.
Calgary Herald
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