Wildlife Safety

• Be respectful of wildlife; familiarize yourself with wildlife safety techniques. • Make plenty of noise when hiking, especially when Kootenay Plains approaching blind corners, dense shrubs and streams. • It is best to leave your pet at home; if you do travel with Ecological Reserve a pet, keep it on leash at all times (loose dogs can attract and irritate bears). guide • Always keep your group together and keep your children close at hand, especially at dawn and dusk. Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve protects Intersected by the Siffleur and North Saskatchewan , • If you see signs of bear activity (i.e. fresh diggings along one of the best examples of montane habitat in the open plains are dominated by grasses, forbs and stands trails, bear scat, claw marks on trees), go back the way of aspen and limber pine trees. The surrounding slopes you came. all of . Shielded within the front ranges are forested mostly by white spruce and lodge pole pines. of the , this unique grassland Waterfalls and deep gorges are scenic features along the Contact and forest mosaic is home to many species of Siffleur . rare plants, provides important habitat for wildlife Strongly influenced by the surrounding mountains, wide Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation and has been a culturally significant area for shape of the valley and persistent winds, the climate of Rocky Mountain House District Office thousands of years. the Kootenay Plains is relatively dry and warm. These 1st flr. Provincial Building favourable climatic conditions result in excellent habitat for 4919–51 Street a wide diversity of wildlife and plant species. Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1B5 Recreational Activities Phone: 1–403–845–8349 Toll-free: 310–0000 Hiking is permitted on all trails. Hikers should wear sturdy Web: www.albertaparks.ca footwear as the terrain can be rocky and uneven.

To Book Group Camp Mountain biking is permitted on the Glacier Trail and Phone: 1–403–721–3975 trail as far as bridgeonly , other areas of the ecological reserve are either unsuitable or too Report a Poacher: 1–800–642–3800 fragile for mountain biking. 427-FIRE: 1–780–427–3473 Emergency: 911 Equestrian travel is permitted on the Glacier Trail only Location for access to Whiterabbit trail. Equestrian users are not Big Horn Backcountry Map permitted to use the suspension bridge over the North Phone: 1–403–845–8250 This area can be accessed along the David Thompson Saskatchewan River to access this trail. Equestrian staging Highway #11 about 150 km west of Rocky Mountain and river crossing is at Preachers Point Staging Area. Edmonton House or 20 km east of the Hwy 93 junction at 16 16 Saskatchewan Crossing. Fishing is not permitted in rivers or creeks within the 16 Ecological Reserve or Wilderness Area boundaries. Fishing Jasper is permitted in the . 22 2 Site Description Rocky 93 Mountain Backcountry hiking in the Bighorn Backcountry and House The Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve encompasses 11 11 Red Deer can be accessed via the Kootenay approximately 34km2 of the North Saskatchewan River Kootenay Plains Plains Ecological Reserve. For more information and Ecological Reserve valley south of Abraham . It is bordered to the east, AB BC backcountry maps please contact the Rocky Mountain 2 west and north by the Bighorn Backcountry area and to the 22 House District office. Ban south by the Siffleur Wilderness Area. 1 Calgary 1 1 The Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Area, including Two O’Clock Creek campground and the Cavalcade group camp, is located adjacent to the ecological reserve. The Stoney First Nations’ land, also adjacent, is used for religious and ceremonial purposes. Printed March 2011 ISBN: 9780–7785–9348–5 © Alan Marshall Kootenay Plains Area Map N

To 0 1km 60 km Two O’clock Creek Campground To Nordegg

4 3 2 Hikers 6 5 1 Trails 7 11 8 9 • Extensive and harmful trail braiding is already damaging Siffleur Falls the popular Siffleur Falls trail, please follow trail signs and Bicycle Trail Parking This popular and scenic hike starts from the Siffleur Falls 10 respect trail closures. 12 Camping Picnic staging area leading hikers across the open plains and up 11 14 Area Area 13 Drinking Registration 15 the Siffleur gorge. This 4 km hike (one way) is of moderate 16 17 Water difficulty. Stay on main path and behind guard rails at all Mountain Bikers 20 Preachers Point Equestrian Telephone 18 Staging Area Trail times to ensure your safety. It is possible to continue along Garbage Viewpoint 19 To Calvalcade Group Area this trail to the 2nd and 3rd falls. • Please share the trail; reduce speed on downhill sections Hiking Trail Washrooms

and blind corners. Use sound signals when coming from Multi-Use Hiking Trail Trail Kinglet Lake behind or entering blind corners 11 Trailhead and access point for the steep ascent up to • Mountain biking is not permitted on the Siffleur Falls Kinglet Lake or Tuff Puff trail. trail beyond the Siffleur River bridge. • Mountain bikers wishing to reach Siffleur Falls, can drop Glacier bikes at the Siffleur River bridge and hike the remainder North Suitable for hiking, mountain biking or equestrian Saskatchewan of the trail. Kootenay River use. Glacier trail also provides access to the Bighorn Plains PRA Backcountry. Equestrian Whiterabbit Two O’clock Creek/ Creek Calvacade Campgrounds Siffleur Backcountry Access Glacier A direct trail for backcountry hikers or campers heading into • Glacier Trail is the only trail for equestrian use; it provides Trail access to the Bighorn Backcountry. Si eur Falls the Siffleur Wilderness Area. Staging Area • Horses are not permitted on the suspension bridge. Landslide Lake Interpretive Fire Trail Located immediately west of the Kootenay Plains, this two km looped trail winds through an area impacted by a recent Camping Facilities Si eur prescribed burn forest fire. Falls Along Highway #11, 1 km north of the Siffleur Falls Staging Area, the Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Area Kinglet Lake Si eur Responsible Use provides basic camping facilities and a day use area. It Trail Falls Trail includes Two O’Clock Creek with 20 basic campsites and Kootenay • Open fires are prohibited. Cavalcade Group Camp for group bookings. Plains • Leave no trace­­—pack out everything you pack in. Ecological • It is extremely important for personal safety and Reserve conservation of this protected area to stay on designated There is no cell phone reception. In case of an trails at all times. emergency, a pay phone is located at the highway pull-out 1 km north of the Siffleur Falls Staging Area, Lanslide Lake • Travelling off trail can destroy fragile and rare plant Glacier Interpretive Si eur in emergency situations requiring assistance of Alberta Fire Trail Whirlpool Trail species. Point Backcountry Parks staff please dial 403–845–8585. Access Trail Si eur • Disturbance of areas off trail exposes the very thin underlying soil that is quickly eroded by the strong winds Wilderness in the area. To Ban Loudon Si eur Area Park Gate Creek River • Please contact the Rocky Mountain House District Office 15 km for information about stewardship and trail adoption opportunities.