Fording riding area riding future

[Sledderglen]

Been around the snowmobiling world in Alberta for 30 plus years myself. I can see a future issue with the number of Fording Pass riders going in this area. This area is in BC not Alberta. Similar to Kakwa Riding area S/W of Grande Prairie.

I think a group of riders should get together and organize a working group to secure this area for the future. The access trail goes thru a park and riding is limited to on trail riding only to get to BC. The CSC can only do so much out there. These 2 groups could work together to secure the area.

JUST A IDEA

 

[Skyhigh]

This should be a no brainer, riding off trail at the top of the pass is asking for broken parts. The snow is rarely deep enough to cover all the rocks up there. Why can't guys wait 15mins to ride once they drop into the bc side?

 

[fnDan]

It is a good idea. It's been a while since I've gone over Fording.
Is there a sign where sledders leave the CSC trails that warns users of boundaries and shows a map of the trail over? I remember one sign near the start warning about the boundary on the North side and another as you come out of the trees.
Crossing the rocks in multiple sections as deterred me from going over again and didn't get to stay too long to know if it's worth it to go again.

 

[JZ1]

imo you stay on the trail until you cross "the moon"

 

[Summit X]

imo you stay on the trail until you cross "the moon"

the area referred to as 'the moon' is also commonly referred to as 'the shale field', and it is NOT the border. this area is still well within AB and the Don Getty park, and you cannot leave the trail until you hit BC.

 

[JZ1]

the area referred to as 'the moon' is also commonly referred to as 'the shale field', and it is NOT the border. this area is still well within AB and the Don Getty park, and you cannot leave the trail until you hit BC.

for some reason i thought that was the border, guess i was wrong.

Here is a good picture from a older thread.

 

[Sledderglen]

Good guys. The riders that know where the border is and the park area should contact Scott and we can get you some signs to put up to help control the riders. Form a ggroup we can contacgt and help to make this area a bit more responsible. Just my suggestion

 

[fnDan]

I assumed when you get to the little lake (southwest of Mt Bolton), you're good. Didn't see much before that anyway.

Would it be ok to build a few rock cairns to mark the trail instead of signs? Maybe depict this on one sign near the start?

 

[ferniesnow]

I assumed when you get to the little lake (southwest of Mt Bolton), you're good. Didn't see much before that anyway.

Would it be ok to build a few rock cairns to mark the trail instead of signs? Maybe depict this on one sign near the start?

That makes sense Dan. Still needs to be a sign at the bottom telling what the cairns represent.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Yes, something has to be done with regards to signage and keeping snowmobilers on "the trail" through Don Getty Wildland Park, or we risk losing this access to B.C.

I have long been a fan of the rock carins, but additional signs may be required to indicate what they mean for the un-initiated who choose to go it alone.

Any signage that is put up will have to be removed at the end of the season, my Alberta Parks contacts tell me. So every year, from Dec. 1 - Apr. 30, signage may be erected, but must come out. The hikers and equestrian riders do not like traffic signs in the backcountry, and quite frankly I see their point.

On the official snowmobile trails in Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle P.L.U.Z. the signs may stay, but not off these designated trails, and especially not in the Don Getty Wildland Park.

 

[Summit X]

There is currently a sign at the very top of the divide, and I believe it is a snowmobile sign. It has been there for years. I forget what is on it exactly, but my next trip over I'll take a picture....

 

[Sledderglen]

OK like posted here long time ago. Fording Pass riders and users we need to get organized to keep Fording Pass area accessable. Is there a plan?? we need a group to help

 

[fnDan]

This is the type of thing where someone with experience dealing with all necessary parties is almost critical. Is there currently a resource for OHV users to go to and read/learn from similar efforts in other regions of the province or even country?

The community I live in is dealing with a potential development close by and without any knowledge of how developments progress, what the workflow is for local and provincial governments and what rights and opportunities citizens have available to make sure concerns are heard, it's a hard way to start.
Should we contact the ASA and BCA to get their input?

 

[Sledderglen]

This is the type of thing where someone with experience dealing with all necessary parties is almost critical. Is there currently a resource for OHV users to go to and read/learn from similar efforts in other regions of the province or even country?

The community I live in is dealing with a potential development close by and without any knowledge of how developments progress, what the workflow is for local and provincial governments and what rights and opportunities citizens have available to make sure concerns are heard, it's a hard way to start.
Should we contact the ASA and BCA to get their input?

Contact us at the Calgary Club and possible the Elkford club. See what they know of the area any history and find out how their management plan with the BC government works for them in their area. Requirements. Another club in the same situation is Swan City Snowmobile Club in Grande Prairie. They ride into BC from a park in Alberta. This is a fine example of what could go on. Thanks for asking the questions and showing interest. They have a section here in this section. N/W Alberta section

 

[ferniesnow]

............ and possible the Elkford club. See what they know of the area any history and find out how their management plan with the BC government works for them in their area.

Presently, there is no BC registered trail in the Aldridge Creek/Fording Pass area. It could be applied for and managed by the Elkford club if the present executive thought it was important or wanted to branch out and have control of another area. The only registered trail in the area is the Crossing Creek trail up to Koko and over to the Bull River.

 

[ferniesnow]

There is currently a sign at the very top of the divide, and I believe it is a snowmobile sign. It has been there for years. I forget what is on it exactly, but my next trip over I'll take a picture....

There are a lot of small, white plastic signs throughout the Elk Valley that infer the area/trail is closed. Many of them were put up by "horsie" people and do not depict the intent of the Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan. I have always found it interesting how these people were able to get a number of these signs from the government to put up at their discretion.

 

[Sledderglen]

There are a lot of small, white plastic signs throughout the Elk Valley that infer the area/trail is closed. Many of them were put up by "horsie" people and do not depict the intent of the Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan. I have always found it interesting how these people were able to get a number of these signs from the government to put up at their discretion.

Sneaky guys

 

[Sledderglen]

Presently, there is no BC registered trail in the Aldridge Creek/Fording Pass area. It could be applied for and managed by the Elkford club if the present executive thought it was important or wanted to branch out and have control of another area. The only registered trail in the area is the Crossing Creek trail up to Koko and over to the Bull River.

Thanks Doug. Your a big help. Being a loco I'm mean local. LOL

 

[ThrottleOps]

We've discussed getting it as a registered trail at a meeting in the past. Our primary issue is access we haven't had enough snow down low in the last few seasons to access it easily since the flood and its non motorized in the summer months. The one time I tried to get in there was a lot of alders to be trimmed on the trail


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[Sledderglen]

We've discussed getting it as a registered trail at a meeting in the past. Our primary issue is access we haven't had enough snow down low in the last few seasons to access it easily since the flood and its non motorized in the summer months. The one time I tried to get in there was a lot of alders to be trimmed on the trail


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Was told some horsey guys did a bunch of trail clearing and some GDT hikers