Alberta Hiking Association Newsletter
June, 2025
Greetings Alberta Hiking Association
Spring 2025 Newsletter
Alberta hikers! Spring is underway and it is time to pull the hiking boots out of storage and hit the trails.
- Crowsnest Pass update
- AHA’s Bighorn Hiking Trail Project Update
- Brush up on your Bear Safety
- G7 Trail Kananakis closures
Crowsnest Pass Area
AHA’s staff worked with Public Lands staff in 2024 planning a new bridge location near the base of the falls as well as a new connector trail from the proposed bridge up to the Atlas Staging Area. The Allison Falls, Chinook Lake, and Atlas Staging areas make a valuable recreation hub in southern Alberta with proximity to the Great Divide Trail, Chinook Lake, and camping opportunities. In 2025 the new bridge will be constructed and installed by an AHA contractor and the new connecting trail will be constructed by volunteers.
Star Creek Falls Loop Trail
Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, Alberta Hiking Association improved the Star Creek Falls Loop. Seventy-nine volunteers donated 628 hours towards the project. These volunteers included school groups, home school groups, Oldman Watershed Council representatives, families and individuals. Impressively, all of the trail improvements were completed using only hand tools. In 2025 this upgraded loop will be officially opened with a ceremony at the end of May.
Turtle Mountain Trail Access
The Turtle Mountain Ridge Trail parking area is located on a high-pressure gas line and the beginning of the trail crosses private land. In 2024, AHA met with several stakeholders to identify their concerns and discuss trail options. In 2025 AHA will be creating a community survey to better understand the public’s concerns and gauge the best option for long-term sustainable access to the Turtle Mountain Ridge Trail. From these planning steps, AHA will recommend options for future trail continued access.
Big Horn Area
The Alberta Public Lands Department recruited the AHA to complete trail condition assessments for 11 select trails in the Bighorn area, along the David Thompson Highway. Since 2020 the David Thompson corridor has seen a great influx of recreational activity. With the help of provincial legislation like the Trails Act, the province can take a partnership approach to trail management with non-profit groups and volunteers. The result of this is an increased sense of stewardship and accountability between the general public and the Provincial Government when it comes to crown land and backcountry recreation.
The purpose of these assessments was to provide data on trail conditions and challenges, identify hazards to the general public, and opportunities for maintenance or trail improvements for public safety or enjoyment. In addition, existing or potential issues and concerns regarding wildlife/human conflicts were noted as well asareas of existing or potential environmental degradation. A report on the results of the assessments was provided to Public Lands. For 2025, AHA will undertake upgrading on at least 3 existing trails in the Nordegg/Bighorn area. Also, part of our 2025 strategy is to find other local trail groups with whom we can collaborate and expand upgrading and maintenance efforts on more trails in this area.
For more information on these Nordegg/Bighorn projects, please contact Felicity Chitty our Volunteer email: coordinator@abhiking.ca/ phone: 778 918-5163.
Brush up on your Bear Safety
Though bear attacks are extremely rare, it is always a good idea to brush up on your bear safety.
Remember:
- Always carry bear spray, ensure it is accessible, and know how to use it
- Hike in groups and make noise to alert wildlife to your presence
- If you hike with a dog, keep it on a leash
- Avoid bear habitat during times of increased bear activity.
For further guidance on bear safety, please visit the Alberta government website: https://www.alberta.ca/bears-and-outdoor-recreation#:~:text=Be%20cautious%20when%20seeking%20off,and%20make%20lots%20of%20noise.
Additional information is available from Alberta Parks:
https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/advisories-public-safety/outdoor-safety/backcountry-safety/
Hiking News
Kananaskis Closure for G7 Leaders’ Summit
As you probably know, Alberta is hosting the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17, 2025. Select roads, campgrounds, day-use areas, and trails in the area will be temporarily closed before, during, and after the Summit. The details of the closures can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website, https://www.albertaparks.ca/G7.
Celebration Walk
The AHA is hosting a Celebration walk on May 30, 2025 at 10:000 to celebrate the completion of the Star Creek Falls Loop. If you plan on attending, we will be meeting at the Star Creek Falls Parking Area (16th Av/Willow Dr. & 54 St. – west of Coleman) where there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a self-guided walk. Afterwards, join AHA for Tailgate Refreshments.
Tick Season
Spring is tick season in Alberta. Ticks are small spider-like animals (arachnids) that bite to fasten themselves onto the skin and feed on blood. Alberta is home to many species of ticks. Most tick species in Alberta do not carry Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in people. However, there is evidence that tick species capable of carrying the bacteria are expanding their range in Canada. You can avoid ticks by:
- Cover as much of your body as you can when in grassy or wooded areas.
- Wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants with the legs tucked into your socks.
- Keep in mind that it’s easier to spot ticks on light-coloured clothes.
- Use insect repellents, such as products with DEET.
- Use products that contain 0.5% permethrin on your clothing and outdoor gear, such as your tent.
- You can also buy clothing already treated with permethrin.
- Check for ticks when you come in from outdoors.
For more information please consult this Government of Alberta website: https://www.alberta.ca/lyme-disease-tick-surveillance
Trail Reports
Wondering about spring trail conditions? The Friends of Kananaskis Country have a helpful Trail Reports tab on their webpage for Kananaskis Country and Bragg Creek. https://kananaskis.org/trail-reports/
Alberta Hiking Association is a registered nonprofit society advocates on behalf of Albertans who hike, walk and snowshoe abhiking.ca
This newsletter is published quarterly.
AHA Membership
To become an AHA member, or renew your membership, please fill in the online form on our website. Individual memberships are $15/year, organizational memberships are $50/year. Please Contact Us for more information.
