Cataract creek snowmobile area offical thread 2015/16

[Summit X]

When entering the Don Getty Wildland Park it is clearly marked to stay on the trail. If you want to be safe, just don't leave the trail from there until you drop into the BC side. Seems pretty straight forward to me!! You will know when you hit the divide and are in BC cause you are headed downhill again!!

 

[Kaz Dog]

When entering the Don Getty Wildland Park it is clearly marked on the trail. If you want to be safe, just don't leave the trail from there until you drop into the BC side. Seems pretty straight forward to me!! You will know when you hit the divide and are in BC cause you are headed downhill again!!

If you would help me out here, as I have not been up to the pass in a number of years. After one ascends the "rock wall climb" (as I call it), you have to proceed west across the scree top of the pass before you descend into B.C., correct? It is this area that I refer to when I speak of the trail not being well signed, as this is where I see pictures posted from " off-trail", where one is not be riding. It is here that the club will be putting some type of seasonal signage - sooner rather than later is my hope.

 

[Summit X]

Here is the sign on the side of the trail as you enter into Don Getty. On the opposite side of the trail is a 'Stay on the Trail' sign also.


After the rock wall and a few more turns is where it opens up onto somewhat of a tundra on the actual divide. This is where most people go wrong and they start to play on Mt. Bolton. It looks really nice, but this is an extremly bad idea. Not only because it is out of bounds, but because it gets severly wind loaded and slides ALL THE TIME. People have been on it when it has come down in the past.

For everyone wondering, YES, take avy gear and know how to use it if you go over the divide. In the past 2 years there has been people buried in an avalanche in this area, and also people who got stuck over there overnight when some bad weather came in. The BC side is not like the trails on the AB side. You are not going to walk out on a packed trail if something happens. Be prepared, and i'd suggest not going unless you know the way or are with someone who does know the way.

 

[JZ1]

are avy's more likely to happen on the trail over or once you drop into BC. I've only been over once with a group that frequently goes and I never really asked many questions. My mountain exp consists of cataract and that's about it other than a few trips to Montana 20 yrs ago.

 

[canucklehead11]

Once you are on the BC side, you are in serious avy country. Snow loading, wind loading, and pitch of the slopes makes it avalanche terrain that you must pay attention to. More then that, you must be with someone who knows their way across the divide as storms move in quick, and when they do, there is often little to no visibility until you are across the divide. Previous tracks get blown away, and you may end up on your own. Avy gear is a must on the BC side of the divide.

 

[Highfly]

So would someone be aloud to tie red or orange ribbon on trees to mark the way in and out of the area?? Seems like an easy solution to helping a lost rider to find his/her way out.
I remember climbing out of the BC side and almost continuing up when I should have turned right. And this was in perfect conditions.....

 

[Kaz Dog]

So would someone be aloud to tie red or orange ribbon on trees to mark the way in and out of the area?? Seems like an easy solution to helping a lost rider to find his/her way out.
I remember climbing out of the BC side and almost continuing up when I should have turned right. And this was in perfect conditions.....

I feel that tying surveyor ribbon on trees is a good idea in theory and pactise, ONLY if they are taken off at the end of the season. The fear here is - if they are left on the trees after snowmobiling season is over, they will "junk up the environment" for Great Divide Trail hikers during the off season/summer, I am sure. I am reluctant to advise to do this for this reason, but ....... Another thing that could be done is what I am proposing for the Alberta side, a seasonal post and sign that is very noticeable, and is taken out at the end of the season. But I am not sure if this would suffice. Opinions, from those who are well use to the trail?

 

[Marley]

Piles of rocks like the Inuit do. Theres lots there to pile up. Only would work right up top though.

 

[Summit X]

So would someone be aloud to tie red or orange ribbon on trees to mark the way in and out of the area?? Seems like an easy solution to helping a lost rider to find his/her way out.
I remember climbing out of the BC side and almost continuing up when I should have turned right. And this was in perfect conditions.....

I'm not sure which tree(s) you are referring too...

 

[Highfly]

The trees leading in and out. ....

Is that from this year. Man sure looks different without snow.

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[Xfmontana]

I'm not sure which tree(s) you are referring too...

Great picture, now when someone asks what's it like going over pass, they can see lol


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[Highfly]

Great picture, now when someone asks what's it like going over pass, they can see lol


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The first time i went over i thought to myself "this is what it must be like snowmobiling on the moon". LOL.

 

[JZ1]

is that right before you drop into bc or is that what is called the shale field?

 

[ren]

Yikes... Think I'll stick to Golden for the freshies.

 

[Kaz Dog]

I'm not sure which tree(s) you are referring too...

This is the exact area I am referring too, that sign posts/signs would be a benefit for, that are seasonal. When the snow/new snow does come and stay, inexperienced sledders going over the pass don't know the route/see the route. Working on a solution......

 

[101110101101]

This is the exact area I am referring too, that sign posts/signs would be a benefit for, that are seasonal. When the snow/new snow does come and stay, inexperienced sledders going over the pass don't know the route/see the route. Working on a solution......

I had never seen that before, prior to the pictures above. I'd have no idea where to go.

 

[JZ1]

Is it possible to get to North trailhead of Oyster by taking Cat Creek to Cummings, Cummings south to next intersection then go west to get to Oyster?

if so does that section of Cummings crossany logging roads and If so where does a person go if he does come to logging road?

 

[carguy]

Once you are on the BC side, you are in serious avy country. Snow loading, wind loading, and pitch of the slopes makes it avalanche terrain that you must pay attention to. More then that, you must be with someone who knows their way across the divide as storms move in quick, and when they do, there is often little to no visibility until you are across the divide. Previous tracks get blown away, and you may end up on your own. Avy gear is a must on the BC side of the divide.

Been in a situation as described here, coming back over the pass in zero vis conditions, let late after getting one machine stuck on BC side. A memorable trip and glad we all made it out safe.

 

[nytro yamaha]

Hey was just wondering if any one has been over the fording lately ?? What the conditions are like?

 

[Sledderglen]

Well I'm back from working at Foggy, frosty, snowy Drumheller this past week. Heading out to see what I can do with the trails. What are the conditions out there? Baril loop is most likely rough from the Fording riders.

Give me some time will see what can happen. Big groomer is coming folks.