Willmore Wilderness Park Is Home to Cougars
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Ancient glaciers, high mountain Park Guide peaks, thick forests and raging Wildlife Backcountry Hiking Contact rivers define these 4,597 km² of untamed wilderness. Backpackers and horseback riders seeking a true Willmore’s wildlife thrives in the natural Safety Many of the park’s well-established trails follow Alberta Parks backcountry experience can explore surroundings of the park. Grassy slopes provide in the historic footsteps of Aboriginal hunters, Web: albertaparks.ca over 750 km of trails where wildlife excellent winter ranges for sheep and goats. fur traders, coal miners and trappers. The Rock Hinton Office: 780–865–8395 abounds. Visitors to Willmore must Almost 20% of Alberta’s mountain goats and The wild and rugged nature of Willmore Lake staging area provides a popular access Visitor Centre: 780–865–5600 be experienced and well equipped 20% of the province’s bighorn sheep live in Wilderness is an irresistible draw for many into the Willmore via the Mountain Trail. For Toll Free: 1–866–427–3582 Willmore for backcountry adventure. Willmore and the park is also home to woodland visitors. Yet, the dangers of Willmore can provide those with only a few days to explore, Seep caribou, moose, elk, grizzly bears, black bears, a challenge for even the most seasoned outdoor Creek Trail soon heads north off the Mountain Fire Bans in Alberta Wilderness Park cougars, wolves, wolverine, and numerous small enthusiasts. Trail to provide quick entry into alpine country Web: albertafirebans.ca mammals. with plentiful wildlife and extensive views. Further Park Access • Only minimal trail maintenance occurs and along, Mountain Trail bends southwest and Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) there are no developed campsites in the climbs to Eagle’s Nest Pass, offering a fine base Phone: 911 Hunting & Fishing park. To the uninformed, the 750 km network camp for day-trip explorations of the surrounding Willmore is located southwest of the town of trails and vast mountain ranges can be alpine lakes and ridges. Mountain Trail then Conservation Officer on Duty of Grande Cache in west-central Alberta, Hunting and fishing are permitted in Willmore, disorienting. heads northwest along Rock Creek and provides Phone: 780–865–6972 approximately 300 km northwest of the City of subject to Alberta big game and fishing • Good maps, a GPS and survival gear are a access via West Sulphur Trail, to higher alpine Edmonton. It is bordered on the west by the regulations. To ensure personal safety, park necessity. terrain. Report-A-Poacher Province of British Columbia and on the south by visitors are encouraged to wear bright colours • There is no cell phone service in the park. Phone: 1–800–642–3800 Jasper National Park. The north end of the park during hunting seasons. For detailed information • There are no bridges and river crossings can While most trips into Willmore are multi-day joins with Kakwa Wildland Park, which forms the on hunting and fishing in Willmore, obtain the be especially dangerous at high water. expeditions, there are also day-trip options. The Forest Fires Kakwa-Willmore Interprovincial Park. There are Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations and the • Check local weather forecasts before you go. 2.5 km trail from Sulphur Gates staging area to Phone: 310–FIRE (3473) three main access points into Willmore: Rock Alberta Guide to Sportfishing. Mountain whitefish Be prepared for sudden changes in mountain the scenic Eaton Falls makes a nice half-day Lake Provincial Park, and Sulphur Gates and Big and bull trout can be found in deeper pools. Bull weather. outing, and the 18.5 km climb to the panoramic To Grande Berland Provincial Recreation Areas. Rock Lake trout are listed as a threatened species in Alberta • Snow is possible any month of the year. views of Adams Creek Lookout from Big Berland Prairie and Sulphur Gates are equipped with equestrian and are “catch & release” only. Hypothermia and wet cold conditions can River staging area is a reasonable overnight trip. 40 facilities. turn a fun adventure into a life threatening Grande Cache emergency. While you hike: Trapping • Grizzly bears, black bears, and cougars live in Note the park. • Use well-defined trails and avoid short-cuts Willmore 40 To Edmonton Wilderness 1 Motorized vehicles (including motorized Trapping is a traditional activity in Willmore • It is recommended that family and friends across switchbacks. Short-cuts result in Park Edson boats) are prohibited. Written authorization Wilderness. If you spot traps, do not touch them be informed of your planned route, camping erosion and create unwanted parallel trails. Hinton is required to land aircraft in the park. or interfere with trap lines. Keep your dog on a spots and estimated return time. • Never drop litter along trails; please keep a leash and do not approach traps with your pet. plastic bag handy and pick up any litter you find. Jasper • Do not pick wildflowers. Collecting rocks, 1 fossils and artifacts is not permitted – take a 93 photograph instead. • Your dog must be kept on a leash at all times. Remember, wildlife regard your dog as either Updated August 2016 prey or predator. ISBN: 978–1–4601–2503–8 • Avoid soft and marshy edges when watering horses. Backcountry Cabins Bear Safety Cougar Safety Crossing Streams and • Salt should be kept in a waterproof container and elevated above ground; this prevents The majority of cabins in the Willmore are patrol There are grizzly and black bears in Willmore Willmore Wilderness Park is home to cougars. Rivers leakage into the soil which can attract wildlife. cabins which are used by Conservation Officers Wilderness Park. By using a few simple These large and powerful cats will generally on backcountry patrols. These cabins are locked techniques, you can minimize the risk of a avoid encounters with humans. However, if Crossing streams and rivers can be the most and are off-limits to the general public. There are dangerous bear encounter. you encounter a cougar, do not run, but back dangerous challenge that hikers confront. River three historic cabins open for public use; these away slowly. If the cougar approaches or shows crossings can be deceptively hazardous. Even Camping include: Summit Cabin, Sulphur Cabin, and • If possible, never travel alone in the aggression, prepare to use your bear spray. a very shallow, swiftly flowing body of water can Sheep Creek Cabin. Please use cabins with care backcountry. A larger group is always safer Show the cougar you are not a prey animal and pack enough force to knock you off your feet. and respect, packing out all garbage and leaving than a single hiker. that you will fight back. Shout at the cougar and Use caution and common sense. After storm There are no official campsites in the Willmore. them clean and well maintained. • Carry bear spray on a belt holster for quick make yourself look larger by waving your arms events, it may be best to wait until water levels Equestrian Use However, as much as possible, use existing access, and know how to use it. and a walking stick. Never play dead with a drop, or backtrack to a different trail to get campsites; as it is always better to camp on sites • Make plenty of noise when approaching blind cougar. around a flooded area. When crossing, release that are already impacted; where additional use Campfires corners, dense shrubs and streams, and your backpack so you can shed it quickly, use a Horseback riding and outfitting in the Willmore won’t be detrimental to the environment. when walking into the wind. A loud shout hiking staff to provide balance, and cross facing are traditional activities with a rich history dating • It is recommended that backcountry travelers every few minutes is more effective than bear upstream. If the depth of the water is above your back to the fur trade. Local outfitters can be • Camp on durable surfaces (such as rock, use camp stoves. Backpacking stoves are bells. thighs, turn back and look for a better location hired to take visitors safely on guided trips gravel, and areas with sparse vegetation). lightweight, compact, efficient, and more • Remain alert. Keep your ears open. Do not to cross. into the backcountry. Outfitters have first-hand Place tents on non-vegetated areas. convenient to use than wood fires. As well, wear earphones while on the trails. knowledge of the landscapes and cultural • Camp at least 60 meters from water. All they leave no scars in the backcountry. • It is best to leave your pet at home, but if you stories. If you plan a horseback trip into the toilet facilities, waste water disposal and fuel • In emergency situations, a wood fire may be do travel with a pet, keep it on a leash. Loose Willmore, please abide by these guidelines: storage should be located at least 100 metres a necessity. As much as possible, use an dogs can attract and irritate bears. from lakes, rivers, and streams. existing fire pit. Use sites that are clear of dry • Always keep your group together. Be • Use established trails and routes. • In areas without toilets, use a portable grass, bushes, leaves, tree trunks, tree roots, especially diligent at keeping children with you • Be especially cautious when passing hikers. latrine and pack out your waste if possible. peat moss and overhanging branches. at all times. • Supplemental feeds such as hay, grain pellets Otherwise, make a cat-hole latrine (20 cm • Dig or scrape down to mineral soil. Clear away • Avoid areas if you see signs of recent bear and alfalfa cubes can be used to prevent over- deep) that naturally decomposes human any flammable materials within 1 metre of the activities: fresh digging on trails, bear scat, grazing and reduce competition with wildlife waste.