Trail happenings in 2014
Jasper National Park has three keen trail crews beginning this week. They will need honed skills and sharp saws for the ambitious work plan that lies ahead. While out and about on the trails, here are some of the areas where you may see crews working.
Maligne Lake is getting a new paddle-only campground. Hidden Cove, about 5 km up the lake, will have four sites, an outhouse and picnic shelter. This campground will cater to first time paddlers and families.
A new trail is being designed, connecting the Trail 5 (Whistlers Trail) kiosk with Whistlers Campground. This will be developed in conjunction with the closure of the Whistlers Shoulder wildlife corridor.
Work continues on Whistlers Summit (5a). Trails will be delineated and unofficial routes rehabilitated.
Signal Fire Road is getting a much needed trim. Sightlines will be cleared to lessen the risk of unexpected encounters with other trail users, or a critter. No more willow-whips to the face.
Up at Mount Edith Cavell, new benches and picnic tables will be installed.
Bridges will be repaired on Saturday Night Lake Loop and Valley of the Five Lakes.
Opal and Bald Hills will see further trail defining with better delineation and signage.
Pyramid Stables is assisting the park in building a horse by-pass parallel to the Pyramid Trail (15) between trails 2b and 6a. Currently, this section of Trail 15 is a busy commercial horse route, as well as a popular bike and hike trail. Separating use will reduce potential trail user conflicts.
And finally, it is time to renew the trail wayfinding signage in the valley. Over the past 10 years, the brown trail junction signs, developed by the Friends of Jasper, did a fantastic job of guiding trail users through our very extensive valley network. These signs will slowly be replaced with updated versions, complete with new trails and information.
Jasper鈥檚 restoration crew will also be out rehabilitating unofficial trails in the valley.
Besides the general trail maintenance on wildland trails (available for use but not mapped) and sightline clearing, the Jasper Trail Alliance will be taking on a few trail projects this year. Trail 6b will be re-routed to connect to Trail 8d. This will avoid commercial horse use on Trail 6 and add to the general flow of the trail. Wildland trails may also see some minor re-routes.
Ambitious? Yes. Exciting? Yes.
See you out there on the trails!
聽Parks Canada
Special to the 51暗网
