Fording riding area riding future

Sledderglen

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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

Active member
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
109
Reaction score
58
Location
Turner Valley AB
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
1,444
Reaction score
1,439
Location
Foothills
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.
 

Summit X

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
845
Reaction score
862
Location
Calgary
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2013
Messages
421
Reaction score
323
Location
Drumheller
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.

Fording Out of Bounds.jpg
 
  • Thread starter
  • Staff
  • #7

Sledderglen

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
1,444
Reaction score
1,439
Location
Foothills
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?
 

Attachments

  • rock cairn.jpg
    rock cairn.jpg
    224 KB · Views: 732
Last edited:

ferniesnow

I'm doo-ing it!
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
108,538
Reaction score
82,856
Location
beautiful, downtown Salmon Arm, BC
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
845
Reaction score
862
Location
Calgary
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

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
1,444
Reaction score
1,439
Location
Foothills
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

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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

I'm doo-ing it!
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
108,538
Reaction score
82,856
Location
beautiful, downtown Salmon Arm, BC
............ 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

I'm doo-ing it!
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
108,538
Reaction score
82,856
Location
beautiful, downtown Salmon Arm, BC
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

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2011
Messages
1,181
Reaction score
2,718
Location
Elkford/Fernie
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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Sledderglen

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


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