Despite the best efforts of the KCTUG (K-Country Trail Users Group) that included a letter writing campaign to various ministers and a presentation to the KCICC (K Country Interdepartmental Consultive Committee), K Country has turned down our request to open up the stretch of road between Gorge Creek and Volcano Ridge trailheads. Their decision “was guided by current provincial parks legislation and policies, staff knowledge of existing and potential future trails opportunities, as well as stakeholder and public unput.”
A bit of background info: The road, which is a public road, was damaged by the 2005 floods. When the Sheep River management draft plan came out it intimated that ALL the road between Gorge Creek and Ware Creek trailheads was in really bad shape and of course people responded to the draft plan accordingly. However, this wasn’t so. The only stretch of bad road occurred just west of Ware Creek trailhead. The section between Gorge Creek and Volcano Creek was in perfect condition. One would think, therefore, that there was no reason not to open up this bit of road to hikers who have been using the Volcano Ridge trailhead for decades.
Trying to get answers has been a frustrating business. On this issue, dialogue with K Country has been less than insightful throughout and we still don’t know the real reason behind the closure. If we did, we might be able to accept it and move on.
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Spent some time in the area 11/24/09. Very sad to see the clear cutting going on in the Ware area. The GORGE CREEK TRAIL ROAD is a very beautiful drive,one that I have been waiting 5 years to enjoy again.Being closed down because of conditions is an ALBERTA GOVERNMENT CRIME and should be delt with.This is a PUBLIC ROAD and is required to be kept in good condition but I do not have five cows or an oil rig behind my name so the government officals ignore the people who put them in office. A typical ploy by an electted offical.SAD.So what do I do drive into an area that is being ignored by our government. EXCEPT if your a cattleman the clear cutting goes on. Roads left in poor condition from these loggers,fire pits left on roadsides and hillsides torn up by clear cutting.If you happen to have a drilling rig and need to get into the area the road would be fixed no questions asked.The GORGE CREEK TRAIL ROAD has been ignored long enough.TRAVEL ALBERTA should change and read TRAVEL ALBERTA SEE THE SIGHTS FROM BEHIND BARB WIRE AND LOCKED GATES. A trade mark of THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT.