CALGARY- With restricted access to several popular trails in Banff National Park, wardens have placed surveillance cameras in trees to nab offenders.
Because of the number of grizzlies feeding on the annual crop of buffaloberries, restrictions are in place along Lake Minnewanka Trail, from the Stewart Canyon Bridge to the east park boundary, as well as the Alymer Pass and Alymer Lookout Trail.
The trails are off-limits to cyclists and dog walkers. Visitors can only hike in groups of four and must carry bear spray.
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Park warden Sharon Woods says the park is using surveillance cameras to protect visitors.
“If there’s a bike, for example, on the trail where there’s no bikes permitted, we will get an image sent to our Blackberries,” says Woods. “We can get a description and we can respond.”
Hikers who break the rules could face fines of up to $25,000.
The restrictions are in effect from now until September 15.
It’s going to be a tough summer for hikers, with many trails in Kananaskis Country also restricted or closed due to flood damage.
Park officials says trails in the Lake Louise area and Yoho National Park are in excellent shape and give hikers some good options.
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