There are some non-skier tracks we enjoy seeing on the ski trail. I know the ski tracks were made by Rory, but he was wondering which animal made the other tracks on Rolly Road in PLPP. Rory didn’t see imprints of toenails.
Lake O’Hara. Photo by Chuck
Thanks for all the trip reports and photos. I realize it isn’t funny, but I had to laugh at Mike W’s encounter with the walkers. I know this sounds ruthless, but would taking a photo and shaming them on the internet solve the problem? Just the threat of it would likely be enough to deter them. Can these people really be lost with so many trail markers and signs?
Brewster Creek. Photo by M & J
Chuck provided photos from his trip to Lake O’Hara, including a shot of the avalanche path at 6.5K.
Parks Canada posted a photo of yesterday’s Borgeau size 3.5 naturally triggered avalanche which released around 5 pm. It ran over the ice climb and the powder cloud dusted cars in the parking lot.
The Bill Milne trail is being trackset this evening. I would imagine Wedge Connector and Evan-Thomas will also be completed.
Mountain Road at WBC. Photo by Steve Riggs
Healy Creek and Cascade Valley were trackset today. M & J were on Healy Creek and Brewster Creek today. As you can see in their photos, there’s lots of fresh snow on Brewster Creek but I am guessing it will be trackset tomorrow by Sundance Lodge.
Tracksetting at Lake Louise today included Great Divide, Lower Telemark, Campground Loop, and Fairview.
There are wind warnings out tonight for the mountains, so you can expect some tree debris on the trails tomorrow(Thursday). Fortunately the windy weather will be followed with significant snowfall on Friday for most of the empire.
I wonder if the earthquake had anything to do with triggering an Avalanche.
I’m not sure what the fuss is all about. It looks like this lynx walked with its legs splayed apart to avoid stepping in the ski track?
I think it’s 2 different lynx as the sets of tracks are slightly different depths and paw pattern.
Re: Helping people out at Bragg Creek: I am not by any means a regular there so you can stop reading right now, but from all the posts I see about Bragg Creek and all those who are passionate about the place, would it be worth while to initiate a “SNOW HOST” kind of concept as works very well at Canmore Nordic Centre? The program basically runs only on weekends, or perhaps also during Race Events, but those involved and trained “can” snow host, wearing their identifying vest, any day of the week.
Part of the deterrent of my wanting to explore the trails at Bragg Creek more, is the entire area has such an overwhelming abundance of trails and perhaps the hikers/snow-shoers could be more efficiently managed by designating more trails JUST for them. Recently while in PLPP, I was impressed how many trails are now totally designated to walkers/snow-shoers/fat bikers. There is a big map available at the Discovery Centre “PLPP Winter Trails”, showing Elkwood Loop, Marsh Loop, Lower Lake, Canyon, Penstock, Tall Water, Frozen Toad and Torpor Loop (and likely some shorter distance ones). Yes, there have always been issues with people heading to Elk Lakes Cabin but for the most part, PLPP has done a great job of providing this many snowshoe trails. All of these are marked on this map, and alot of excellent general information also included on the back.
Thought Mike W’s and Herbert’s comments were very well said.
WBC has a robust Snow Host program that has been developed over the last two years by two of our most dedicated volunteers, Geoff and Imke Ryder. They, along with a number of volunteers that they have recruited, are present in force on weekends and most afternoons. Their most common encounter is with new users that have never been to WBC before.
Consistently they hear comments like: we are lost, signage is confusing, this is public land I can do whatever I want, But I’m staying out of the tracks, etc.
Our Snow Host program in my opinion is one of our most successful initiatives and we hope to see it continue to expand. The most effective way of encouraging compliance is to have a personal encounter with an amiable, knowledgeable human. Many of our users consider the messaging on our signage to be optional.
Our Hosts can be seen in their ArcTeryx sponsored Orange jackets on all sorts of equipment, on any trail in the system. Give them a wave and thank them for all they do to make WBC a pleasurable experience for all!
Bragg Creek Trails Trail Host (or Snow Host in the winter) – Yes, we have been trying to get the message out, that we are available and would love to help users find their way, explore that perfect trail or experience a new adventure. At least one of us is at the Trails Centre every weekend, and we also try to have a few riding and gliding along the trails (to help those “lost” souls we seem to encounter regularly!). So (here comes the thank you donor plug) the next time you see the orange Arc’teryx jackets (thanks Arc’teryx on 17th!) and red Osprey backpacks (thanks Insport Fashions!) and soon-to-come grey Smartwool BCT logo toques (thank you Smartwool Canada), be sure to stop and ask a question – it’s what drives us!
Hi:
While “taking a photo and shaming them on the internet” might solve the immediate problem, society takes a small step backward.
H.
Hi Herb, society has taken a giant leap backward when people feel self-entitled to destroy others’ hard work and create dangerous conditions in order to satisfy their momentary pleasure without any regard for the hundreds of users who enjoy the tracksetting. People will flaunt the rules if there are no consequences. We have rules and enforcement in every aspect of daily living to create a playing field where members of society can get along. Otherwise, it would be anarchy and that’s what now exists on the xc ski trails. So far, signage and education have not been successful at WBC. Something else is required. What’s your suggestion? -Bob
Bob, with respect to shaming the walkers, I’d start with shaming the skate skier who sliced up the trackset. He/she did way more damage than the walkers (one couple was still figuring out where to go, and the other couple had just started). And the skier couldn’t claim ignorance as to what the purpose of the trackset was.
Mike, years ago I posted a picture of a skate skier ruining the tracks on Elk Pass. I haven’t seen another one since.
My Feb 24 trip report includes a photo link.