I’m happy to report that Boulton creek in PLPP will be skiable this winter. The trail is presently being worked on with an excavator
and by Friends of Kananaskis.
This section of old trail will still be in use
Boulton creek trail starts at Boulton Bridge parking lot. The old trail, which followed the creek for 1.9K to the Fox creek junction, was severely damaged in the June 2013 floods. With the help from excavators for rent near Vancouver, the new trail will be 200 metres longer and much of it is on a ridge in order to avoid any future flooding damage.
Boulton Creek in the winter
Some of the trail still follows the original route where it is not prone to flooding. The new trail will involve a short climb and a downhill.
As you can see in the photos, the character of the old trail has been preserved as much as possible. It’s narrow, and winds through the forest. It won’t be near the creek for the entire distance, but compromises are necessary sometimes.
Boulton creek at the Fox creek junction. It looks okay here, but you would soon encounter all sorts of deadfall and wash-outs. Boulton creek has been closed for the past two winters.
It will be nice to have this option again when skiing the 18K Whiskey jack – Tyrwhitt – Elk pass loop. For the past two winters we’ve been forced to use Moraine to complete the loop.
For the record, Boulton creek trail continues on beyond the Fox creek junction for 600 metres to Elk pass. Well, the map says 600 metres. My GPS says 400 metres.
I hope to have updates soon on Healy creek and Ribbon creek.
Been working alongside Alberta parks staff and volunteers with Friends of Kananaskis the last couple of weeks on the new Boulton creek trail and must say it’s turning into a beautiful trail! I can’t wait to ski on it! I also spent a day working on the lower section of Ribbon creek trail. It won’t be anything like the old trail but I’m sure it will turn out great after all the hard work on it is completed.