MacLean Mountain Riding

[thejean]

I'm sure this has been asked before but is there any off trail mountain style sledding to be had in or near Maclean? I have a snowbike and am thinking I can likely find my way up to some incredible areas but just have never tried yet. Whereabouts do the parks begin (no ride zone)? Any maps would be appreciated. Looks like one should be able to access some nice alpine areas from Maclean if you go far enough. Thoughts?

 

[thejean]

Just looking at some maps, it seems one could find decent elevation within the Elbow-Sheep Wildland area and without getting too close to the Peter Lougheed park. Thoughts? Can one ride on Moose Mtn or do you have to keep to the Maclean boundaries?

 

[camarogreg]

I haven't ridden Maclean in the winter, but the Calgary Snowmobile club has started a grooming program at Cataract Creek, about an hour South of Maclean.

 

[thejean]

I haven't ridden Maclean in the winter, but the Calgary Snowmobile club has started a grooming program at Cataract Creek, about an hour South of Maclean.

I have ridden out there and over the pass into the BC side and it was really good. But man, what a stupid long trail ride! If I could find a better way over the pass I'd be all over that but it's pretty white knuckle rising over those rocks on a snowbike! 8-|

 

[camarogreg]

Lol, yeah a lot of references of the Fording trail similar to the moon. The Sheep area won't be open unfortunately either. Unless things have changed, trails at Maclean are snowmobile only after Jan 1, but I think that is often not the case. Cataract or Crowsnest are the closest options for those of us South of Calgary.

 

[Skyhigh]

Mclean is technically closed to motorbikes after Dec 1. Not sure what a CO would think of your snow bike. That being said, Mclean isn't worth riding unless there has been alot of snow and no chinooks. There are some fun cutblocks, but they need alot of snow to fill in.

 

[JZ1]

Mclean is technically closed to motorbikes after Dec 1. Not sure what a CO would think of your snow bike. That being said, Mclean isn't worth riding unless there has been alot of snow and no chinooks. There are some fun cutblocks, but they need alot of snow to fill in.

No bikes law must not be a enforced because the area is overrun with bikes and quads 365 days a year

 

[retiredpop]

Can one ride on Moose Mtn or do you have to keep to the Maclean boundaries?

I haven't ridden Maclean in the winter, but the Calgary Snowmobile club has started a grooming program at Cataract Creek, about an hour South of Maclean.

I have ridden out there and over the pass into the BC side and it was really good. But man, what a stupid long trail ride! If I could find a better way over the pass I'd be all over that but it's pretty white knuckle rising over those rocks on a snowbike! 8-|

I'm pretty sure Moose Mountain is off limits to anything motorized. Snowbikes are not allowed at Cataract Creek as they are classed as motorcycles. There was a discussion on these forums regarding this under the Cataract Creek thread. Follow the rules guys even if you don't like them.

 

[retiredpop]

No bikes law must not be a enforced because the area is overrun with bikes and quads 365 days a year

Quads are allowed because I believe the rule is no wheeled vehicles over 1000 lbs in the winter.

 

[X-Treme]

Quads are allowed because I believe the rule is no wheeled vehicles over 1000 lbs in the winter.

So, do they have a scale out there for enforcement? Cause my quad is right around 1000lbs. With me on it, it's certainly over. How can they enforce a ridiculous rule like that?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk.

 

[retiredpop]

So, do they have a scale out there for enforcement? Cause my quad is right around 1000lbs. With me on it, it's certainly over. How can they enforce a ridiculous rule like that?

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That was a few years ago when I saw the signs. Back then the quads were a lot smaller and it was probably just an arbitrary limit to differentiate between quads and 4x4's. If you really want to know I'm sure you could google it.

 

[JZ1]

either way Maclean Creek is not a good area for sledding anyway. i dont belive the laws out there are enforced at all, there are designated sled only trails that are over run with quads, motorbikes and side by sides

 

[Teth-Air]

You might be better off going West off highway 22 at the North end of chain lakes. The South side of the gravel road is mostly open all the way to Crowsnest pass. At the top of the road where it meets the forestry trunk road has some open hills. As long as you stay on the South side you should be good. Stay out of the Shell sites too as they might get pissy as the gas is sour down there.

 

[JZ1]

You might be better off going West off highway 22 at the North end of chain lakes. The South side of the gravel road is mostly open all the way to Crowsnest pass. At the top of the road where it meets the forestry trunk road has some open hills. As long as you stay on the South side you should be good. Stay out of the Shell sites too as they might get pissy as the gas is sour down there.

would that be west on hiway 532? is there a staging area out there?

 

[retiredpop]

either way Maclean Creek is not a good area for sledding anyway. i dont belive the laws out there are enforced at all, there are designated sled only trails that are over run with quads, motorbikes and side by sides

So true. We never go there anymore for that reason.

 

[Teth-Air]

would that be west on hiway 532? is there a staging area out there?

Yes, 532 and there are some camp spots along the way on the South side where you can stage.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Gentlemen,

I have before me the "Public Land Use Zones of Kananaskis Country" map. published July, 2015.

To keep it simple, I will paraphrase the regs:

Within Maclean Creek - there are no specifically designated snowmobile trails, they are either "Single Track", "Quad Trail", "Truck Trail", "Shared Use Road", or "License of Occupation (LOC) and Public Access" roads.

Regardless with respect to if they are enforced or not, there are two (2 ) regulations with regards to OHV's at Maclean Creek from Dec. 1 - Apr. 30; both "not to exceed 450 kg (1000 lbs.) with 3 or more tires, as well as Quad Trails - "an overall width of under 1.2 m (50")" or Single Track Trails - "an overall width under 0.9 m (36").

Overall, the regulations stipulate that "Motorized use is limited to the designated trails shown on the map on the other side of the brochure." i.e. - no off-trial riding, OFFICALLY.

Alberta does not have the snow that the interior of B.C. does, this is fact, and why I believe the regulation are written as they are. With regards to snow bikes, officially you are not to ride off trail anywhere in Alberta. I also know that these modified motorcycles are designed to operate on snow only, and deep snow at that (the better), and not on trails.

So the question becomes, are you going to respect the Alberta regulations? Are you going to organize and work toward changing the regulations (I will volunteer to help)? Are you going to operate your snow bikes in B.C. only?

More information here:

 

[Kaz Dog]

BTW - Change is coming with regards to the Alberta backcountry, so my government contacts tell me. The public will not be consulted, they will just appear - at this point.

 

[Kaz Dog]

What are "we" (backcountry motorized users) going to do about it? I suggest join a club, organize your own, or sit on the sidelines and complain.

 

[JZ1]

Yes, 532 and there are some camp spots along the way on the South side where you can stage.

Is there a map of this area? Seems to be in between Cataract and Crowsnest area