<<

Ancient glaciers, high Park Guide peaks, thick forests and raging Wildlife Backcountry Contact 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 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 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, , 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 & 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 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 . It is bordered on the west by the regulations. To ensure personal safety, park necessity. terrain. Report-A-Poacher Province of 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 . The north end of the park during hunting seasons. For detailed information • There are no bridges and crossings can While most trips into Willmore are multi-day joins with , 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, 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 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. All toilets and waste water pits should fire pit. and claw marks on bear trees. A dead or for food. Supplemental feed should be stored be filled with soil and levelled when you vacate • Use only dead wood. Live trees in the scavenged animal site is especially dangerous. in sealed containers to prevent tampering by your campsite. subalpine areas grow very slowly and should • Hang all food, garbage, and scented items wildlife. Using hay as supplemental feed has • Avoid washing in streams and lakes. never be used for campfires. high in a tree at least 100 m from your the potential to introduce noxious weeds into Detergents, soap and toothpaste are harmful • Never leave a campfire unattended. Make sure sleeping area to discourage bears from the backcountry; grain or alfalfa pellets are to fish and other aquatic life. Scatter all wash the fire is out and cold to the touch before investigating. Never store food or scented preferable. water so that it filters through the soil. retiring for the night and before leaving camp. items in a tent. • Use ropes or approved electrical wire to make • Garbage should always be packed out of Soak it thoroughly and stir it – and then soak • Make sure that your cooking area is 100 corrals. Make sure that horse holding areas the backcountry, never buried. Wildlife can it again. meters from your sleeping area to prevent are located at least 100 metres from any easily find and dig up old garbage pits, even • Do not bury your fire as the embers can food-odour contamination. Never sleep in watercourse or body of water. in winter. Once accustomed to human food, continue to smoulder and can re-emerge as a clothes worn while cooking. • Don’t tie horses to live trees; this can cause these animals may become a problem for wildfire. • Pack out all garbage in sealed bags. Never damage to bark and eventually kill a tree. future visitors. • During periods of high fire hazard, campfires bury food scraps. • Scatter manure before breaking camp. may not be permitted. • At night, use a flashlight and move cautiously around your campsite. k e e r C

k a e P Willmore Wilderness Park Map s i c n l 170000 a 180000 i 190000 200000 210000 220000 230000 240000 250000 260000 270000 280000 290000 r a F r Mount May T r e iv Wanyandie Flats East R Settlement a w South Kakwa River k Willmore Wilderness Park a K Kakwa th Legend L u a o C S re Trails Park Boundaries Cabins ch Wildland Little e Putzy Creek Primary National Park M Patrol o Rim Ridge × u n Park Secondary Provincial Park ta Historic in × T Roads Provincial Recreation Area ra La Crèche Mountain il Divided Highway Wildlerness Park Points of Interest 0 0

0 il 0 0 a 4 Lane Undivided Road Wildland Provincial Park Grave 0 0 r æ 0 9 T 1 9 9 Bear Creek 50 9 5 0 5 e e 2 Lane Undivided Road Campsites # Fire Lookout k k a a

L

# L 1 Lane Undivided Road Jasper National Park, Hiker Campground PointofInterest a i Ê l a i li Narrow Creek c i Interchange/Ramp # Jasper National Park, Horse Campground e c Glaciers

C e C 2 Lane Gravel Road # Primitive Campsite Goat Cliffs Background Shading Mount Hamell 1 Lane Gravel Road p Alberta Paradise Basin Cecilia Lake Unimproved Road q Camping C Copton Pass Sheep Creek British Columbia o Flood Mountain te Railways C re Index Contour Line (500m) !È Staging Area e k Syncline Hills T Contour Line (100m) ra i 1 l 500 Ambler Mountain 2 0 0 0 Grande Mountain 0 0 Susa Creek 0 2 Settlement

0 Joachim 0 0 Mount Côté 0 0 Settlement 0 0 Surprise Pass 2391 m Peavine Lake 0 8 8

9 Mitayimin CreekAbbott Creek 9 5 Cote Creek 5 20 Grande Cache Lake Muskeg River 00 Settlement Locality Bastille Mountain 20 Grande Cache Lake 00 T re nc Sulphur Gates Joachim Lakes h C !È Pierre Greys Lakes re ek Provincial Recreation Tr Pierre Greys Sheep Creek Cabinail Area Victor Lake rail Grande Cache ek T Victor Lake Mount Louie Lakes Provincial Cre × Settlement C ep # o Park Shee he # w p C æ S 1 r 5 L eek 6 0 Trai 0 ic l k

9 M C l Mount Stearn o r i p Ê u e a 00 n e Sheep Pass r 20 Adolphus Creek ta k T in Turret Ridge q T 1 T k S 0 r r e a a h 0 0 i e 0 li r e 0 l Casket Mtn C ep 0 2 t Dry Canyon C 1 2231 m e Llama Flats 50 00 k re 0 0 Intersection Mtn 20 s e 0

0 a k 0

0 2452 m C T 0 0 r 0 7 ai 7 9 l Llama Mountain M 9

5 o 5 2301.4 m 1 u 50 n 0 #ta Map Projection: 1 i Casket Lake 5 n 2 0 Pearl Creek T NAD 1983 10TM (Tranverse Mercator) AEP Forest 1:130,000 Casket Pass 000 Kvass Flats 0 15 # ra 00 # i Haight Creek l l km Tra#i Mount Mawdsley # ek Gentian Creek 2134 m 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 0 re Berland River 0 C 5 p 2 2 ee 0 # Sh 00 k e A la Peche Lake Muddywater River e # 7 r

Forgetmenot Pass C Ê Mount Braithwaite Knife Mountain 2 k 0 Muddy Cabin 0 2057 m 0 2134 m c Mt Fetherstonhaugh 0 Hoff 0 Franks Creek i R 0 2 2088 m L × Mt Sprague 1

5 w 2530 m 00 # o Mount McQueen o 2286 m C Muskeg River c 2000 Big Berland Provincial Recreation Fetherstonhaugh Pass 0 0

0 k 8 0

0 Area 0

0 # 0

6 l 1 6 i 9 5 9

5 2500 y a 0 5 0 r 0 0 l 1 0 i T 5 2 a 0 2 r 0 5 n 20 0 i 20 T 0 0 0 2 0 a 0 0 Mt De Veber K t 0 e v n 0 a 2 Adams Creek Lookout Province 2573 m n s 0 u i s 0 C o 0 2177 m P r e 2 Morkill Pass e M 11 0 k k 0 of T W 0 c ra 2500 alto # a il n C J re British Columbia ek Trail Trail # 0 Ridge Creek k Mt Forget 0 Sulphur River ee 5 Cr 2121 m 2 et 1500 Mount Jobe 10 uns æ S S Childear Mountain ass Creek Trail u # æ Kv # ns 12 1 e 5 × Sulphur Cabin t 20 # Red Tail Cabin 0 × C 00 #× 0 Winney Cabin# re Renshaw Creek × Sunset Cabin e 2 k 25 ## 0 T 00 0 r s Trail 13 0 a Winnefred Lake æ R N il #

o 2 # c o

ky 0 2

0 0 0 r 0

1 P 0

0 5 a t 0 0 0 s South Muskeg River h 0

0 0 s T 0

0 2000 r 0 0 a B 5 Avalanche Pass il 5 0

9 9 0 l e Hanlon 5 5 i

Mt Talbot 2 r

a Interpass Ridge l 2

2373 m r a 0 H

2 0 0 n 0 20 T 0

0 0 0 d o

Rocky Pass k o

Phroso Creek 2 T B e B

0 f M r 0 e

0 r a e f

P 2 i P l C 0

0 0 Shale Pass 0 r

0 r 00 e 5 2 5 e w l 0 1 o 2 0 o a 0 Hardscrabble Creek r a 2 n l 000 2 s n i 0 25 S n # u 0 00 a Snow Cabin r 250 0 i # d 0 T m il # # d C Anthony Creek ra × Beaverdam Pass n m T # Snow Creek n o a 2 ll s l 00 ie s 2 r 0 2 1 o a 0 e C 5 Willmore Wilderness Park o 0 # 5 r 0 t P 0 0 2 B 0 e 0 n 0 0 n e 0 e if h Mt Campion k t a n 2 2484 m T k 5 u 0 # M k r 0 0 a 15 o c o 0 0 i 0 u a l E Ê 0 2 n J S va 5 i t n Mt Pauline 2 a s in T 2653 m 200 0 Mt Harvey ra 0 0 n T 0 il 0

0 r 0 0 2500 1 a 2 2436 m 0 5 00 i R 0 0 l 0 Jones Pass 5 0 25 2 R Mount Gaunce 4 0 # 0 4 0 0 9 0 Ê s 0 a 2286 m 9 5 0 il C 25 a 5 2 a # 0 Ptarmigan Lake 2500 r ## a 0Mt Hunter n T B æ 3 rs M n 2 n l o 2603 m um 50 ha u n g 0 g e 2500 P T C m o G o r r Zebra Mtn e n r p Mt Laut a e C e o o e il e 2558 m re Mount Renshaw M u In -T 2408 m k e Blue Grouse Pass s d h k Loren Pass e 2 2 i o 0 0 0 5 a T 0 0 0 r

0 e r P 0 0 # 1542 m 0 n a a 0 5 a Bury Ridge Mount Bazalgette i 2 0 1 2 T u l 2 s r 5 5 25 s æ a T 2438 m 2 0 00 Persimmon Range i ra R 0 l i R 15 C 2 l 00 000 # o 2 # #Blue Grouse Cabin a l Loren Lake 5 R # l 2 i 00 0 5 1A n e 0 n 5 0 2 0 r × Draco Peak a C lphu # Grizzly Cabin a Ê# g ail 2587 m u r r t S n 1B T e es # n e ek W × × Ê # re e # # g C k Summit Cabin Eagles Nest Cabin ep M e ## e T 2 o S r 500 u ## a Perseverance Mtn Smoky River n # × i 2 ta l 5 i 20 2426 m 0 n 0 2 Fault Creek 0 0 Sunset Peak T # 0 r 2 # 3265 m 0 a 5 # 0 il 00 0 # 0

0 Jackson Creek Trail 0

0 2500 Resthaven Mtn Twintree Creek il 0 0 Saurian Mtn ra 0 3 1 0 D T 3 4 3125 m 0 9 3016 m 5 n # Rock Lake 9 0 5 e i 2 5 00 Brewster's Wall a 0 5 30 Ê 0 2 2 250 s nt 0 500 0 o ou 0 Equastrian p l # M T a M Mt Lucifer T Desolation Pass t Eagles Nest Pass o Azure Lake h io 2 u q 3060 m e 2103 m 50 nt # Moose Landing Rock Lake 2 n 0 ai 0 A # 2 n 1500 & Home Bay 00 A G P # 0 T # n Mt Perce l a 00 ra Provincial Park c a Arcturus Basin il Wildhay River p 2 2 i 2754 m c s 5 50 e ie s Side Pass 0 0 Rock q Resthaven Icefield n r T 0 t t P r Arcturus Peak 2000 14 Lake !È W 44-40 Pass a a Daybreak Pass Rock Lake Green 2145m s Vega Basin il S # l 1500 p a s E t i l - E Sirius Peak a Daybreak Peak a Mountain l T h e N a tt u rr a ll F R r r q F T 2509 m li 2332 m 00 Saghali Mountain O G g T Barricade Mtn 5 2 E 2 A rr c h Vega Peak T C # la The Quoin h k 5 Glacier Pass U c t Chalco Mountain 2593 m 0 C U ie Starlight Range T e 0 R r 2454 m # Sheep Basin P r e P a a r 300 Mt Chown # S - ss il 0 ass - C # r P L 3884 m Noonday Peak cie n itt # U Gla ve le w p Hea H 0 # p tle ea lo 0 Rock Lake - Lit v l 5 il er en i 1 ra B W Solomon Creek l M T ue K E O e Twintree Mtn RE S O Wildland Park 25 C C k 00 Creek (Bri Mac) Pass H ta S 2543 m r C r a Chown Glacier e WIT lig E e L 0 Jackpine Mountain O h H 0 k M t 0 # /R O 0 Chalco Creek Mt Holmes Jackpine River Twintree Lake / n 0 A o R 0 r 0 # z ck R N 0 2502 m Mt Barra Topaz Lake # o 2 u 2 Mustard Creek C o T 9 r # 9 Jackpine Pass 2515 m e G re R h 5 c 5 M la e A e a c k k 2040 m cl i I s ar L e L en it r o Sweeney Creek Black Pass s tle P L P a o # ass H s EK a Korlei Pass Abrams Creek Mt Bess e s E k a - CR M McLaren's Pass v D ARY e 3216 m e U OUND # n M L RTH B T G W/ AI NO r # O TR TRAIL r ind ILL a s W # i to # l ne # Upper Holmes/ # Pa # Willow Creek ss Bess Pass Trail Smoky River Jasper W # Monte Cristo Mtn Snake Indian River o Bench Lake Creek Mt Kelsey lf T National Park 2482 m #r P # M a a The Notch o N il s N s o Bess Pass o o Wolf Pass Moosehorn Pass se Wolverine Mtn # r r t Jackpine Creek t h h N 2777 m h Blueberry Creek ## o O B il B Caribou Creek Byng Pass Snake Indian Mtn a r R o r n Whiteshield Mountain u Blue Creek # T o # 2929 m T n # ry u L H Babala Basin Mount Jessie d a n a Goodell Creek a d S n d B r . u ke O y l F o a i B U T a o r T r r r h y N a T k rt Laura Pass r y e o a D il r / T S N i A a r l d n a R n a u k i Y o e l B T h In R rt d 170000 180000 190000 200000 210000 A 220000 230000 240000 o 250000 260000 ia 270000 280000 290000 I N n L

Map Points of Interest • 1B. Coal Mine Cabins – from the Blue • 5. Ptarmigan Lake – largest lake in Willmore superintendent of the Rocky Mountain Forest • 10. Washy Joe Anges – Washy Creek was • 13. Grave of Pierre Delorme – died in 1906 Diamond Coal Company, 1928. Wilderness Park. Reserve in 1912. named in honour of Washy Joe, a trapper and after falling off his horse and hitting his head. Willmore Wilderness Park is rich in culture and • 2. Grave of Thappe – a member of the • 6. Grave of George Hargreaves – died in his • 8. Kvass Lookout – decommissioned in rancher and member of the Alexis Band. Pierre Delorme was 6 foot 8 and blind. history. During your explorations of the park, you Beaver tribe who died on a winter hunting trip. sleep in 1936 and buried at the base of Coffin 1972. • 11. Adam’s Creek Lookout – named in • 14. Rock Lake Lookout – decommissioned may encounter these points of interest: • 3. Grave of Baby Delorme – died 1908. Mountain. • 9. Sulphur Gates – dramatic cliffs and honour of Adam Agnes. opened in in 1969. • 4. Resthaven Mountain – highest point in • 7. Clark’s Crossing – a very dangerous confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur rivers. 1941. • 15. Curly Philips Historical Cabin • 1A. Steam Engine – from the Blue Diamond Willmore Wilderness Park (3,125 metres). river crossing named after Stan Clark, • 12. Grave of Madelaine Fraser – the mother Coal Company, 1928. of Adam Joachim; died in 1904.