Rivers and Ditches around Okotoks area???

[GasCan]

Looking to take my kids out this winter and do a bit of ditch riding in and around the Okotoks area. Has anyone ever rode the ditches around here and more importantly, does the sheep river freeze up enough so that can you ride sections of the river at all? I've seen tracks around the river at Highway 2 but nothing much elsewhere?

Looking for short loops as the kids are still young and know they'll tire out. Loops are marked in Yellow and curious to know if these river paths freeze up for use by sleds in the winter? If not it'll be ditch banging and maybe check out the pond just west of Cycleworks.

Anyone know for sure? Here's the area I'm looking to home base from near Cycleworks.

 

[Stickman70]

You need to check out the Cataract Creek / Etherington area. Great family area with trails and play areas. Also has warm up shacks with wood stoves if the kids need a break for a hot dog or something.
Nice area and fairly close to you.

 

[GasCan]

Thanks...been there many times.

Looking to do more ditch and river riding this year and will head to Cataract once in a while, or as I feel like loading up for the day.

 

[calgarysledguy]

Hey Graeme glad to see your getting back into sledding. I honestly cant see the sheep freezing up enough for safe sledding for experienced riding let alone new riders. I have been doing some fishing on this river and there are just so many big rocks sticking up and fast spots in the river. I just cant see it being a good idea. Maybe crossing here and there shouldn't be an issue. But to travel it for miles could be sketchy.

That being said i have also seen a track or two off the #2 and also seen moving water . It might be one of them things you need to check out for yourself and then you make the call if its safe or not.

Maybe we can hook up for a ride this winter. Im up for ditch banging

Cheers

 

[knee deep in it]

last time I checked, the Foothills county did not allow ditch riding near okotoks. When I go out for some testing, I go west of nanton as the Vulcan County does allow ditch riding.

 

[GasCan]

Maybe we can hook up for a ride this winter. Im up for ditch banging

Cheers

I'll get in touch and maybe we can catch a few rides this year. I did check with Foothills MD and they follow Alberta Highway act saying no sledding or off road vehicles on highways which is fence post to fence post including the ditches. I then asked a local RCMP and he said they don't really care unless they have complaints. The ones to watch for will be the Bylaw Billies the MD has working the area (cop wanna be's). They write $115 dollar tickets if they can catch you riding the Foothills MD.

Guess I'll be finding some fields to cross when I see one coming down the road. (lol)

 

[HRT Offroad]

I have seen plenty of sled and ATV tracks in past winters going up the Sheep River and under the bridge on South/Northridge Drive. I couldn't tell you how far they go, but I have definitely seen tracks.