Cataract/Etherington 2013/14 Thread

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
I thought the CSC was the spearhead club for Cataract...what is the Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Trails Committee.....is this a recognized body?

It is a committee of the CSC, operating at arms-lengths, within the club.
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
LATEST UPDATE TODAY: Forestry Trunk Road from Highwood House (Hwy 40/541 meeting) south is open to Cataract Creek. Now to check the trails!

[h=1]More highways repaired and reopened in K-Country[/h]November 12, 2013 Media inquiries
The latest flood repairs give Kananaskis Country enthusiasts nearly 50 more kilometres of access in this amazing recreation area.

New sections of Highway 40 and the Forestry Trunk Road are opening to traffic – ahead of schedule – on November 12, providing access for back country visitors, snowmobilers and hunters.

This brings the total to 119 kilometres of these two roads now safely re-opened to public traffic, after extensive repairs due to damage from the June floods.

A 33-kilometre stretch of Highway 40, from Highwood House to Lost Lemon Hill, is being reopened. Nearly 120 sections required repair, from ditches and slopes to entire sections of highway.

A 14-kilometre stretch of the Forestry Trunk Road, from Cataract Creek to the junction of Highways 541 and 40 at Highwood House also required repairs to 20 sections of highway.
 

Snow67

Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
19
Reaction score
34
Location
High River AB
So what is plan for clean up with all this snow are we still trying for nov 30-dec1 weekend and dec 7 weekend just need to get word out asap may not be able to get in with quads know
 

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
Currently, ESRD is reviewing the plan we have put forward, and I hope to hear back next week whether we are able to get on the land with quads on Dec. 1, for the trail safety check and maintanence. I am unsure of the current snow volume at Etherington Creek PRA parking lot, but plan to go there on Monday, November18, and assess this and the trail West in as far as time allows, on foot. As the area is open to snowmobiles as of December 1, if the volume allows, trail safety check and maintenance will go forward on sleds. I will post information when I have it.
 

Bunn

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2007
Messages
319
Reaction score
258
Location
Calgary
Thanks for the updates and ALL the hard work.I am hoping the snow will be deep enough to use the sleds.
 

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
Thanks for the updates and ALL the hard work.I am hoping the snow will be deep enough to use the sleds.
After the last 36 hours, it very well may be sleds. I plan on taking the snowshoes with me (as well as measuring tape, camera, notepad, pen, GPS - debating chainsaw right now), as they may come in handy.
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
IF THE SLEDDERS who accessed the Etherington Creek PRA (and trails?)from the 940 Forestry Truck Road gate yesterday - or the day before - are Snow and Mud'ers, would you please PM me as I was unable to access the area today, and would really like to know what the conditions there are. By no means am I looking to get anyone in trouble, I would just honestly like to know what you found "in there".
 

Sledderglen

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
IF THE SLEDDERS who accessed the Etherington Creek PRA (and trails?)from the 940 Forestry Truck Road gate yesterday - or the day before - are Snow and Mud'ers, would you please PM me as I was unable to access the area today, and would really like to know what the conditions there are. By no means am I looking to get anyone in trouble, I would just honestly like to know what you found "in there".


To much snow to snowshoe on?? Just kidding. Would be nice if the sledders the other day help you out with the info you need.
 

Snow67

Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
19
Reaction score
34
Location
High River AB
Are you still thinking Sunday Dec 1 was Think of Saturday as well to get jump on it how did today go for you how much snow is out there thinking will be using snowmobiles
 

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
Are you still thinking Sunday Dec 1 was Think of Saturday as well to get jump on it how did today go for you how much snow is out there thinking will be using snowmobiles
By regulation, no snowmobile is to be on the trails before December 1. This does not mean it does not happen - as noticed today while I was there - but there is no approval from ESRD before Dec. 1 currently, or "coverage/insurance", as is required. The committee members are working with Alberta ESRD and Alberta Parks Department to form a lasting relationship, and one does not do that by ignoring the regulations. On Wednesday, November 20, I will be publishing on this thread, my report from today. And there appears to be enough snow for sleds currently, but we will see how much stays around. While I was there, the temperature was +4 and the wind was blowing.
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
I did not have the time to post the post I wanted to today, with further information about the Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area. I have to run out the door to another meeting now, but I will return and tonight post the complete, proper information about the area.

- Forestry Truck Road 940 is open from Highwood House south to the Wilkinson summit. BEWARE -there are two large "dips" in the road, one being massive, south of the 2 new Wilkinson Creek bridges, south of the cattle guard in the road (Cataract Creek also has a new bridge over it). DO NOT TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEED, THEY ARE SIGNED AS ROUGH ROAD, BUT THERE IS A BIG CHANGE IN THE ROAD FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TRAVELLED IT BEFORE, PLUS BEING ICEY ON THE APPROACHES. This road closes Dec. 1, as part of the snowmobile trails.
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
Conditions at the Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area, south of "Highwood House", on Monday, November 18.

- The Forestry Truck Road (F.T.R.) south of Highwood House (Hwy 940), is now open (as of Nov. 12) thru Wilkinson Summit, until the regular closure of Dec. 1. There are two deep/severe “dips” in the road now, south of the new Wilkinson Creek bridges, which will require STOP signs for sledders. If anyone drove along at high speed (as is usual for some/most) and came upon them, a hospital visit or death would surely result. There is also a new bridge crossing Cataract Creek.
- The Etherington Creek P.R.A. and its’ parking lot are gated and locked just off the F.T.R. Just down the road from the gate is a washout in the road, and it appears that an “engineered road” has been constructed underneath the flowing water. I did not walk all the way to the parking lot, as I did not know if there was anything further to be gained until it is determined if snowmobilers will be able to access the P.R.A. this winter. It is my most up-to-date information that the Etherington Creek P.R.A. parking lot unloading area WILL NOT be accessed this winter. I will have this confirmed before next Friday, and post here the information.
- The Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot along the F.T.R. is currently cleared and of the same dimensions as last year. The creek bank has eroded right behind the outhouse, losing – I believe – between 15-25 feet of area and the picnic tables that used to be there, on downstream to the day use picnic shelter. I have pictures and will post some.
- It appears that work was done within the Cataract Creek P.R.A. campground – either on the creek banks or the campground itself, as the campground road is cleared and there are heavy equipment tracks on the road.
- Contact must be made with AB Transport and the Municipality/grader operator to determine snow clearing on the road this winter. Opportunities abound for a change – for this winter only – as the only parking lot available, today, is the Cataract Creek P.R.A.’s, currently

I was unable to access the trails where I had wanted to so I concentrated my day along the F.T.R. to see the "southeast section" of trail - what is the Wilkinson Summit Trail once the gate closes on Dec. 1.
Please heed the previous warning about this trail, if you are traveling at high speed and come upon them quickly, injury or death may occur - and I am not joking around about this. I am hopeful that AB Transport will leave the signage there for the winter when they close the road, and I am trying to reach them now to have "STOP" signs placed at these dips as well.
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
View at Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot (where sleds are unloaded)
14 2013 11 18 New creek bank at Cataract Crk PRA 1.jpg
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
View from Day Use Shelter to the outhouse, Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot
17 2013 11 18 new creek bank at Cataract Crk PRA 2.jpg
At this time, I am unsure how to access the Cataract Creek Trail from this parking lot
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
The smaller of the two "dips" in the Wilkinson Summit Trail, south of the vehicle bridges.
This picture does not do the "dip" any justice as it does not look like much, but is approximately 40 feet in length and 8 feet deep.
The second "dip" is approximately 90 feet in length and 25 feet deep.
20 2013 11 18 less severe dip in FTR.jpg
 
Last edited:

Kaz Dog

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
749
Reaction score
1,399
Location
Calgary
OFFICIAL: SAFETY AND TRAIL MAINTENANCE DAYS for Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area

When: Sunday, December 1, and Saturday, December 7. We leave the staging point at 10 AM.

Where: At this time, we will plan to meet at the Cataract Creek P.R.A. parking lot, as the Etherington Creek P.R.A. is gated and locked.

What to bring: Your licensed snowmobile - trailer to haul equipment, if you have one
Equipment you are trained/confident in handling for tree removal from the trail, including but not limited to;
Good pair of leather gloves, Chainsaw, log roller, bow/hand saw, long pry bar.
Safety Equipment: an FSR radio for communication, S.P.O.T. device/satellite phone (if you have one), basic first aid kit.
Other: Camera, water container (full-you will need it), trail snack, small notepad/pencil.

What we have for you: After-Work BBQ and Beverages
- the Calgary Snowmobile Club will be providing hamburgers and hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages.


In the past 10 days, a lot has been able to happened with the opening of the 940 Forestry Truck Road, and the cumulative efforts of our government and club personnel. Of note is trail inspection days that will be completed prior to Dec. 1. An ESRD official and I, at the least, will access as much of the trial system as possible, which will set a plan up for the morning of Dec. 1.

Please PM me to let me know if you are able to join in, and I will keep you advised of any and all plans/changes for the day(s).
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom