Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2014/15

[takethebounce]

Further South heads towards Crowsnest Pass and Coleman. There is some decent Alberta riding down there when there is snow. In the summer you can drive the 940 all the way. Cut Blocks are well, its a term used for an area that was logged. Typically a moderate sloped area with lots of hazards like stumps remaining depending on snow depth.

 

[JZ1]

Further South heads towards Crowsnest Pass and Coleman. There is some decent Alberta riding down there when there is snow. In the summer you can drive the 940 all the way. Cut Blocks are well, its a term used for an area that was logged. Typically a moderate sloped area with lots of hazards like stumps remaining depending on snow depth.

thanks.

so where the trail appears to end on the cataract map does the trail actually continue south?

maybe it's just me but I found the trails to be poorly marked. A lot of what we thought were trails were actually cut lines. Maybe identifying the trails will come with a little more experience in the area

 

[JZ1]

I created a Google account so I can upload videos to YouTube but when I go to do so it says the video won't publish. Any suggestions?

 

[takethebounce]

thanks.

so where the trail appears to end on the cataract map does the trail actually continue south?

I have never heard of anyone riding all the way down to Crowsnest but at Pasque Mt it becomes the Crowsnest trail system. I don't believe there is one map that shows it all but if you look up the club down there you can view the southern portion of that area.

Cataract is a provincial area maintained by the club where Crowsnest is club ran. The Calgary Club would be a good place to start as well if you like riding the area. They could likely give you more accurate info.

It is almost 100km from the junction of the highwood to Coleman.


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[GasCan]

You can take Skyline, Pasque and the Oyster trail south where they meet up and cross the logging road. There are a few trails (or the logging road) that'll take you further south. Usually the snow gets deeper the further back you go and there are some great meadows, a creek and some decent cut blocks to play in back there but you're best to leave the cut blocks alone until there's a good 3 or 4 foot base which is normally January. If you take the logging road about 5-6 clicks south you can peel off to the right and take the trail down to the creek. There's a couple good meadows down there to play in, and from there you can take the creek valley a little further south where there are a few larger meadows off to the west. Good riding with Skyline being the highest point to climb on the way if you take that route, or take the lower valleys or logging road to bypass the trails and get to the south play areas. Just know that Skyline can have some nasty white outs at the top when the wind is howling and can sometimes have 4'/5' foot drifts. Riding down towards the south of the summit can be pretty tricky when there's a fresh dump so keep that in mind as the trail is narrow and gets blown in with drifts. I like the bowls south of the trails. We usually ride the trails south to those spots, and take the logging road back when fuels a bit low or we're tired from a day of riding.

I'm like 45 minutes from the CC area, but have been waiting for some decent snow. Might get out Tuesday or Wednesday of this week with the kids.


Old picture from the meadows

 

[JZ1]

You can take Skyline, Pasque and the Oyster trail south where they meet up and cross the logging road. There are a few trails (or the logging road) that'll take you further south. Usually the snow gets deeper the further back you go and there are some great meadows, a creek and some decent cut blocks to play in back there but you're best to leave the cut blocks alone until there's a good 3 or 4 foot base which is normally January. If you take the logging road about 5-6 clicks south you can peel off to the right and take the trail down to the creek. There's a couple good meadows down there to play in, and from there you can take the creek valley a little further south where there are a few larger meadows off to the west. Good riding with Skyline being the highest point to climb on the way if you take that route, or take the lower valleys or logging road to bypass the trails and get to the south play areas. Just know that Skyline can have some nasty white outs at the top when the wind is howling and can sometimes have 4'/5' foot drifts. Riding down towards the south of the summit can be pretty tricky when there's a fresh dump so keep that in mind as the trail is narrow and gets blown in with drifts. I like the bowls south of the trails. We usually ride the trails south to those spots, and take the logging road back when fuels a bit low or we're tired from a day of riding.

I'm like 45 minutes from the CC area, but have been waiting for some decent snow. Might get out Tuesday or Wednesday of this week with the kids.

View attachment 181674
Old picture from the meadows

thx for the advice. Thinking of going back before New Years, maybe I'll see you there

 

[retiredpop]

For those who don't know - quads are not allowed on the trail system. There was one running around out of Etherington yesterday. You can also see a trail map of the area here although it does not show up to date info as to which trails are impassable.

 

[Quad_hopper]

Thinking about heading out to CC tomorrow, anyone else want to join? Its the wife and I and we are beginner riders.

 

[JZ1]

Thinking about heading out to CC tomorrow, anyone else want to join? Its the wife and I and we are beginner riders.

Would love to but work has yearly inventory scheduled. Can't believe the scheduled it over the holidays this year, so mad

 

[swiller]

I would be interested,never been there before .got a time and a place

 

[Polar_RMK]

Hope cc got some fresh powder today, anyway would be nice to hear the latest snow update from there

 

[fshog]

Thinking about heading out to CC tomorrow, anyone else want to join? Its the wife and I and we are beginner riders.

I may be heading out on Tuesday or Wednesday, what is your schedule?

 

[Quad_hopper]

Well, we didn't make it out today to CC. It was too cold for the wife (and me). -19C this morning when we went outside. Looking at the forecast, we are heading out tomorrow (Tuesday). Plan on being at the Cataract staging area around 9 AM. Can't wait to get out and ride.

 

[fshog]

Well, we didn't make it out today to CC. It was too cold for the wife (and me). -19C this morning when we went outside. Looking at the forecast, we are heading out tomorrow (Tuesday). Plan on being at the Cataract staging area around 9 AM. Can't wait to get out and ride.

This is Kyle, right? If so, I still have your number and can text you if that works??

Thanks,
John

 

[Quad_hopper]

Yep!!!

 

[warrentb68]

I think the wife and I will try and go out to CC on Wed morning if all goes well.

 

[fshog]

Yep!!!

Re: Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2014/15

I think the wife and I will try and go out to CC on Wed morning if all goes well.



How does Wednesday work for you Quad_hopper? I see warrentb68 is looking to head out and maybe wants riding company?

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[Quad_hopper]

Yeah, that works fine for us. See you out there around 9 AM Wednesday.

 

[fshog]

You bet! Might be around 9:30 for us.

 

[DYSLEXIC]

You bet! Might be around 9:30 for us.

keep us posted on conditions.....