Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2014/15

[Quad_hopper]

Can people head out to Cataract tomorrow? Anyone been out, enough snow?

 

[Highfly]

The area is not open to snowmobiles until this Monday (Dec 1st).

http://www.albertaparks.ca/media/4526117/kc_-_cataract_creek_snowmobile_trails.pdf

Can people head out to Cataract tomorrow? Anyone been out, enough snow?

 

[Kaz Dog]

Re-installed the snowmobile ramp behind the shelter in the Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot today - readying for Dec 1!

 

[Kaz Dog]

Approximately 10 inches of very fluffy snow in the parking lot, no base to it. I expect more snow to the west, but it will need some sunlight and "warming" to settle and pack down.

 

[takethebounce]

I wouldn't have any problems suggesting people try out the areas a little further SW. There is about 40+ cm on top of a bit of a crusty layer, 65-80 cm in total.

 

[Steve Slade]

Where exactly is cataract creek located.

 

[Sledderglen]

Where exactly is cataract creek located.

Way south of Grande Prairie.

 

[Highfly]

Where exactly is cataract creek located.

Here is the parking lot. Zoom out from there....

https://www.google.ca/maps/@50.2820463,-114.5904388,370m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

 

[polarischik]

Anyone been out to Cataract? Is it worth the trip?

 

[Kaz Dog]

We will know come Saturday!

Anyone been out to Cataract? Is it worth the trip?

 

[Kaz Dog]

Attention all Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area trail users

Trail Closure Immediately until sometime in February!!!

Spray Lake Sawmill has recieved permission to harvest and haul logs using Highway 940 south of the Cataract Creek P.R.A parking lot, which utilizes what snowmobilers refer to as Wilkinson Summit(Pass) Trail. This was completed with consultation with the Calgary Snowmobile Club's Trail Committee. This represents short-term pain for long term gain for both parties (sawmill shorter haul route/C.C.S.A trails quicker overall improvement).

Therefore, Wilkinson Summit Trail (Hwy 940) will be shared or closed during this period. It will be totally closed when the log trucks are hauling. When they are not, we will try to share the 940 - half graded for "pick-up" truck traffic/half with a raised berm snowmobile trail - and much signage.

More details to follow.

 

[Highfly]

Are you saying the entire area is closed until Feb??

 

[knee deep in it]

Are you saying the entire area is closed until Feb??

I do not think so. It seems that the Wilkinson Trail is closed till Feb. The Wilkinson Summit trail is Hwy 940 for 8 km south of the Cat Creek staging area. It then turns west where it becomes pasque.

 

[Highfly]

AH OK Thx.
If and when we will be sharing the road with the logging trucks can I put a request in that we all give the thumbs up to the big trucks as we see them. Lets make sure they know we support them. I'm sure we are a thorn in their behinds as we are often on their maintained logging roads looking for places to ride. A little PR goes a long way (word travels fast with truckers).

 

[Kaz Dog]

AH OK Thx.
If and when we will be sharing the road with the logging trucks can I put a request in that we all give the thumbs up to the big trucks as we see them. Lets make sure they know we support them. I'm sure we are a thorn in their behinds as we are often on their maintained logging roads looking for places to ride. A little PR goes a long way (word travels fast with truckers).

The plan is NO SNOWMOBILES ON THAT PART OF HIGHWAY 940 THAT IS Wilkinson Summit Trail WHEN THE BIG, LOG CARRYING TRUCKS ARE HAULING THEIR LOAD. When Highway 940 is not being used to haul logs by semi-trucks, snowmobiles and pick-up trucks will be allowed to "share the road". Snowmobiles will utilize a built-up berm - they are not allowed on the graded road surface meant for "pick-ups". There will be signage - PLEASE OBEY AND BE SAFE, or snowmobilers will loose total use of Highway 940 until S.L.S. is finished cutting and hauling.

 

[GasCan]

Is the 940 accessible from the north end off Highway 40 and if it is, can you drive to the old Etherington parking lot to stage. Also, is that big field still there in the picnic area. I want to take the kids out to learn to ride in that open area if it still exists after the flood? Thanks in advance.

 

[Skyhigh]

Anyone push over to fording yet this year?

 

[Kaz Dog]

Great question, I want to go there this weekend. This is in an effort to plan the installation of the bridge/ramp material that has been purchased and awaits use.

Anyone push over to fording yet this year?

 

[Kaz Dog]

Yes, nothing has changed on the 940 all the way to Cataract Creek parking lot.

The big field you refer to makes me think of the field area next to the locked day shelter/Group Camping Area shelter that is accessed when you leave the parking lot, drive out the southwest corner of the lot, and turn right into the field. If you are referring to this field, it was in no way affected by the flooding.

Another option would be the Cataract Creek valley flat just west of the Cataract Creek parking lot. The shelter there is open, the stove can be lit (warmth), and you access the flat area by the ramp behind the shelter-cross Wilkinson Creek-along the hillside trail-and you are at the flat area.

Is the 940 accessible from the north end off Highway 40 and if it is, can you drive to the old Etherington parking lot to stage. Also, is that big field still there in the picnic area. I want to take the kids out to learn to ride in that open area if it still exists after the flood? Thanks in advance.

 

[fshog]

Thanks for the info guys! Looking forward to heading out to Cataract soon!