Comments on: Here we go again — in the Ghost

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 04:41:26 +0000

I have not spent much time in the Ghost area. That said, I have spent a significant amount of time in the Kananaskis South to Waterton. I agree that there are larger issues at play here in addition to the smaller individual user group interests.

I believe that oil and gas development, logging, and cattle grazing are the three largest destructive forces at play in the forest reserve. The first two are often contemplated but the third seems to be overlooked.

Having traveled extensively in the southern areas, it is unbelievable to me the amount of damage to high erosion areas made by cattle. I am not condoning high marking on dirt bikes, descending through alpine meadows on mountain bikes, or sliding down scree slopes in hiking boots, all of which cause environmental damage. What I am saying is that cattle urinate, defecate, compact soil and highly impact waterways, slopes adjacent to waterways and all matters within the ecological environment of the forest.

Why is so much effort being directed at the user groups with lower levels of impact? I understand that hikers, bikers, equestrian users, OHVers all have an idea of an acceptable area. Is it possible to overcome these issues with designated trail systems, education and enforcement?

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:34:48 +0000

Hello Dustin,

FYI Dirt bikes (two stroke) produce the equivalent pollution of 30- 50 four stroke vehicles. As I have hiked sections of the proposed dirtbike trail I would also add that trail locations are not respectful of erosion or tree damage.

http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/21-two-strokes-and-youre-out

By: darin

darin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:49:48 +0000

My conundrum is why should I follow the rules when I know the small footprint that I make is nothing but a tear drop in the damage caused by logging. You closed the trails I used to love riding and where I never encountered anyone, horse or hiker, because you claimed I damaged the land…and then you strip log it and lay waste so that a hiker/biker/horse enthusiast can’t even think about venturing across the land. You have instilled no confidence in your management of our resources and your hipocracy will not get my vote or my respect. See you on the trails legal or not!

By: Dave Duncan

Dave Duncan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:43:30 +0000

K-country is not a park, and it too has been and will be logged eventually. People tend to forget this, especially in K-country and now in the Ghost. Good point though! K-country is a prime example of a forest reserve that has had laws laid down to stop OHVs running wild. People now assume it is a park. It works! MacLean creek has become the designated “off-road area” however it closes down for winter and this pushes all the off roaders into the Ghost.
The Ghost is also the source of power for Banff. The water was diverted into a dammed valley (Minnawanka) and when you think about it, it’s a clean power source for Banff, thus “Ghost” (no water) River. If it was not for Trans Alta building the road into the Ghost, we would not even be having these discussions. If Trans Alta where trying to do the same thing now, there would be a lot more arms up in the air.
The Ghost is an awesome area that has world class climbing. I personally think the “Ghost” is the bottom of the “Big Hill” and above that is forest reserve. I think of the logged area as just access to the Ghost. I myself climb (ice and rock), hunt, and off-road (to access all these activities). I hunt above the “big hill” and I climb, obviously west of that. I see two worlds and sometimes three when you include dirt bikers. I’ve been on the “Ridge” having a picnic with my family and I’ve gotten into a fight with a dirt biker after he almost smoked my 2 year old with his bike. I’ve rolled into the Ghost on a Monday morning to witness all the trashed left behind from long week-end parties. I’ve sat on the Ridge and watched half a dozen “off-roaders” driving up (in) the river. I’ve also led some of the best ice pitches of my life in the Ghost. I’ve had my truck charged by a Grizzly sow with a couple of cubs above the big hill.
The Ghost is an amazing place that has all impacted us (good and bad). We need to appreciate it at this time, in this decade. Someday there might be a highway going up the guts of it with an interpretive centre, a restaurant and a Grey Hound full of tourists. I feel that we need to look further into the future to protect the Ghost. I would love to see my son one day go out and buy a “good” 4×4 so he can access an ice climb or rock route. I also agree with David Wagner, that we need to look at the big picture as well. The Ghost is one small area. We are blessed to have a “wilderness” area of this calibre so close to the city. We need to protect that, however as Calgary grows, we might have to travel further for a wilderness experience. I wish that someone in particular had all the answers to make everyone happy. The fact is that everything is changing. Change is part of growth and growth is inevitable.
I apologize for not always doing my part.
Just my thoughts, not yours!

By: colin

colin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:34:06 +0000

This stuff is all missing the point. The Ghost should be a park, K country North.
What the logging is doing to the Ghost is unbelievable, they are screwing up the area for all our lifetimes, and huge damage to water ecology and everything else. How can anyone in their right mind worry about a few dirt bikes, and then let logging companies clear cut huge areas and build roads all over.
Its criminal.
Everyone who cares about the Ghost should be fighting the logging, that’s the real issue here.

By: Dustin Ring

Dustin Ring — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:52:27 +0000

Ok, Dirt Bikes do less damage to the environment than cars in the city do driving to work every day. I agree that in some ways it makes a footprint in the wilderness, much less than hiking. But dirt biking is a great way for family and friends to get along and just have a good time without the pressures of city life working. I’m Fifteen years old and I have been riding since I was Three. Dirtbiking is my life and I will not let the goverment take it away from me. So if the people involved in the Ghost Access Management Plan decide to take away more decent trails in Alberta we will find more, thus causing more damage than needed to the environment.

Dirtbiking is fun, we have clubs and many different organizations that clean up many of the trails and create bridges aross rivers to better protect the environment. These people who work long hard weekends out in the Mountians such as Waiparous and McLean Creek would be verry pissed if the government overlooked their efforts, and so would I.

By: Bob dyilan

Bob dyilan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:54:44 +0000

i agree with david

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:53:28 +0000

i change my stance to agreeing with david

i cant spell

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:46:02 +0000

I have not read any thing on this web but i think mike is right.

By: Lesueur Ridge « MMhikes.com

Lesueur Ridge « MMhikes.com — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:41:19 +0000

[...] great spring hike in the off-highway vehicle area near Waiparous. According to the article posted on Kananaskis Trails, there are plans to have a new ATV trail that will be crossing and [...]