Spray River is packed

– Spray river between 6 – 10K –

Chuck gave a detailed Trip Report but this news is worthy of featuring on the home page. Thanks to Chuck for checking this out:

Spray river bridge foundation at 6K. Bridge is scheduled to appear on Dec 23. Photo by Chuck O'Callaghan

Spray river bridge foundation at 6K. Bridge is scheduled to appear on Dec 23. Photo by Chuck O’Callaghan

BANFF’S BEST KEPT SECRET… UNTIL NOW!
Spray River AND Goat Creek
The section between the 6 km and 10 km Spray River bridges has been groomed, and has been very popular!

Today, I started in Banff on the West Spray. While there is an ATV track to the 6km bridge construction site, it is easy to ski on the side or even on the track. There is lots of snow and it is well packed (not like last year when they actually bulldozed the full width of the track).

Spary river bridge at 10K

Spray river bridge at 10K is schedled to be repaired in 2014. Photo by Chuck O’Callaghan

Beyond the 6 km site, the trail is perfectly groomed to the 10 km bridge across the Spray that will be realigned in 2014. The river is fully frozen at this point, and the sign suggesting a fine for using it has been removed.

To my surprise, while on the bridge, I heard a helicopter come in low and land for an inspection!

The next short section to the Goat Creek bridge is narrower and skier tracked on top of a snowmobile packed base. The last long section to the Spray River gravel road is double trackset, as previously reported.

Lots to enjoy, and double the fun when you do the return trip!

See more Chuck’s photos (including the helicopter)

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