Cataract/Etherington 2013/14 Thread
- Thread starter Kaz Dog
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #362
- Thread starter
- #363
I knew sledding out of Cataract Creek parking lot down Cataract Trail was finished when I showed up to pull the ramp, and this is what I saw...........and the plan at this point is to rebuild this ramp for next year to make it 5 feet wide, instead of its' current 4 foot width.
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- Thread starter
- #364
As soon as something is agreed to, I will post/contact directly those who have indicated they want to help. All are welcome.
- Thread starter
- #365
It has been a while since my last post and much has happened/is in the works for over July/August, but most for September/October. I will post another note by Monday AM with more details, but I wanted to make sure everyone know about the closure of the Forestry Trunk Road/Hwy 940, south of Cataract Campground/Day use parking lot.
As well, Hwy 532, west of Willow Creek to the Forestry Trunk Road, is still closed as well - on the link above.
Kaz Dog
As well, Hwy 532, west of Willow Creek to the Forestry Trunk Road, is still closed as well - on the link above.
Kaz Dog
- Staff
- #366
Trails down South being inventoried what needs fixing. Government doing your snowmobile trails in Cataract? Was told government has 10 million to repair flood damaged trails. Sure hope that includes snowmobile trails
- Thread starter
- #368
Just a quick response for now - sorry this did not get up earlier.
As there are three accesses into/onto Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area, the repair planning has been undertaken from this view.
From the north, Etherington PRA is currently under repair, making Etherington Trail, and all others off this trail, inaccessible for now. Alberta Parks is repairing the road and parking lot, and I believe the camping area as well. The whole PRA will be inaccessible for now.
From the south, Alberta Transportation is repairing Hwy 940/Wilkinson Pass Trail, and it is closed currently, and I am not sure when it will be opened for use. Furthermore both bridges that cross from Wilkinson Creek Trail to Pasque Trail in the S.E. corner of the trail system are "out" and need to be repaired to access Pasque Trail. The trail system can not be accessed from here.
In the "middle" - Cataract Creek Trail - a new strategy/plan has been advanced, together with ESRD & SLS. There are major repairs to the first section of the snowmobile trail west of Hwy 940, but as well to SLS's "Lost Creek Road" that leaves Hwy 940, follows the valley bottom, crosses Cataract Creek on their bridge (which is currently out), and extends south through the entire snowmobile area (most users are familiar with it). Their road is in need of major repair and, it has been decided, relocation. We have had discussions centred around joining both the snowmobile trail and road together, for a certain (reasonable) distance and slightly uphill of the worst of the damage of both the road and the snowmobile trail. I have delayed advancing any plans to C.S.C. members or the public based on this strategy. The fact is we need an access point to the trails, and SLS is looking at rebuilding, and paying for, both the new road/trail and bridge this summer, to be completed between Sept. 1-15. This will allow access to all of the trails, both south and north of Cataract Creek.
It is the Trails Committee's idea/plan to organize trail clearing in Sept.-Oct., before hunting season begins Nov. 1, and after the road is completed. We will be able to access the entire system at this time, and also have allowed more time for planning and possible bride building materials acquisition for installation at this time. If you would like to assist, and have the use of a quad or side-by-side, I will need license and insurance information, which I will collect at a later date. If you do not, other plans are being pursued, so you do not need an OHV to assist.
If you are able to donate/get-your-hands-on/bring a skid steer/bobcat, backhoe, or small crawler/dozer - please P.M. me, as the government has advanced to me the idea to pay for fuel if the equipment were available.
That is all for now, please send me any questions you may have!
As there are three accesses into/onto Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area, the repair planning has been undertaken from this view.
From the north, Etherington PRA is currently under repair, making Etherington Trail, and all others off this trail, inaccessible for now. Alberta Parks is repairing the road and parking lot, and I believe the camping area as well. The whole PRA will be inaccessible for now.
From the south, Alberta Transportation is repairing Hwy 940/Wilkinson Pass Trail, and it is closed currently, and I am not sure when it will be opened for use. Furthermore both bridges that cross from Wilkinson Creek Trail to Pasque Trail in the S.E. corner of the trail system are "out" and need to be repaired to access Pasque Trail. The trail system can not be accessed from here.
In the "middle" - Cataract Creek Trail - a new strategy/plan has been advanced, together with ESRD & SLS. There are major repairs to the first section of the snowmobile trail west of Hwy 940, but as well to SLS's "Lost Creek Road" that leaves Hwy 940, follows the valley bottom, crosses Cataract Creek on their bridge (which is currently out), and extends south through the entire snowmobile area (most users are familiar with it). Their road is in need of major repair and, it has been decided, relocation. We have had discussions centred around joining both the snowmobile trail and road together, for a certain (reasonable) distance and slightly uphill of the worst of the damage of both the road and the snowmobile trail. I have delayed advancing any plans to C.S.C. members or the public based on this strategy. The fact is we need an access point to the trails, and SLS is looking at rebuilding, and paying for, both the new road/trail and bridge this summer, to be completed between Sept. 1-15. This will allow access to all of the trails, both south and north of Cataract Creek.
It is the Trails Committee's idea/plan to organize trail clearing in Sept.-Oct., before hunting season begins Nov. 1, and after the road is completed. We will be able to access the entire system at this time, and also have allowed more time for planning and possible bride building materials acquisition for installation at this time. If you would like to assist, and have the use of a quad or side-by-side, I will need license and insurance information, which I will collect at a later date. If you do not, other plans are being pursued, so you do not need an OHV to assist.
If you are able to donate/get-your-hands-on/bring a skid steer/bobcat, backhoe, or small crawler/dozer - please P.M. me, as the government has advanced to me the idea to pay for fuel if the equipment were available.
That is all for now, please send me any questions you may have!
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JZ1
Active VIP Member
Are these pics just off the trails or do you have to venture a ways off the trails?
im so pumped to get out of the valley this year and head west
BRP QSC
Active VIP Member
Those appear to be from the fording pass area and a area on the way there. Honestly if you coming from the Drum then get on the hiway and go to Golden. Half hour more and your in some sweet sledding areas. Cataract got hit hard I the flood and you need to travel over to the BC side to get good snow. And if you haven't been there read back in the threads regarding off limits areas and the concerns of the areas
Just my 2 cents
- Thread starter
- #371
39848, I beg to differ with you here. It appears to me that Nitrobiker went south off of the Lost Creek Road, and did so on April 20, very late in the season/this area. The snow along the middle and western north-south trails was tremendous this past winter, even late April, best in 10 years. Like most areas, the trails near the parking areas can be sketchy, Cataract Creek is not alone in this. The pictures are taken just beside the trail, I believe.
JZ1
Active VIP Member
So it is ok to venture off the trails? I don't want to the douchebag that wrecks it for everyone
- Thread starter
- #374
For all, I have just started a new thread for 2014/15.
Please see "Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2014/15" in the S.W. Alberta area.
https://www.snowandmud.com/s-w-alberta-206/cataract-creek-snowmobile-area-thread-2014-a-92750.html
Please see "Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2014/15" in the S.W. Alberta area.
https://www.snowandmud.com/s-w-alberta-206/cataract-creek-snowmobile-area-thread-2014-a-92750.html
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