Pristine alpine meadows, sub-alpine Park Guide forests, and clear mountain streams Park Access Wildlife Backcountry Contact make Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park a backcountry paradise. This 175 km2 protected area provides Whitehorse Wildland Park is located southwest & Natural Safety Alberta Parks prime habitat for bighorn sheep, of the town of Hinton. It is bordered on the west Web: albertaparks.ca by Jasper National Park. Travel through the Hinton Parks Office: 780-865-8395 Whitehorse grizzly bears and harlequin ducks. Features The wild and rugged nature of Whitehorse small town of Cadomin to Whitehorse Creek Visitor Centre: 780-865-5600 Provincial Recreation Area with a campground Wildland Park is a draw for many visitors. Yet, Toll Free: 1-866-427-3582 Other special features include backcountry dangers can provide a challenge for and equestrian facilities. This staging area marks Wildland Whitehorse Wildland Park is home to many even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. rare plants, alpine flowers, marine the main access point into Whitehorse Wildland Fire Bans in Alberta fossils, limestone caves with bat wildlife species including elk, moose, mule deer, Web: albertafirebans.ca Provincial Park Park. If you continue past Whitehorse Creek bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, wolves, cougars, • Only minimal trail maintenance occurs. hibernacula, the Cardinal Divide PRA for 20 km, you will reach the Cardinal Divide The network of trails and mountainous terrain hoary marmot and pika. The Park also provides Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) Viewpoint. Be aware that gravel roads can be can be disorienting. Viewpoint, and the Fiddle Pass breeding habitat for harlequin ducks dependent Phone: 911 route to Miette Hotsprings. Day rough and snow can occur in all seasons due to on fast-flowing mountain streams for nesting and • A good map, a GPS and survival gear are a hikers, backpackers and horseback the high elevation. rearing their young. The Park is home to 128 bird necessity. There is no cell phone service in Conservation Officer on Duty riders seeking a true wilderness species and more than 270 plant species. the park. Phone: 780–865–6972 Please Note: Motorized vehicles are permitted experience can explore picturesque Fossil impressions from prehistoric sea life can • There are no bridges, and creek crossings can on the main access road only and not on hiking be found imbedded in the tops of mountains. be expected. Report-A-Poacher waterfalls and view breathtaking trails. Written authorization is required to land Phone: 1–800–642–3800 Please be aware that removal of such fossils is • Check local weather forecasts before you go. Rocky Mountain vistas. aircraft in the park. strictly prohibited under the Provincial Parks Act. Be prepared for sudden changes in mountain Forest Fires Cadomin Cave is located just south of Cadomin. weather. Phone: 310–FIRE (3473) This extensive limestone cave system provides • Snow is possible any month of the year. important bat habitat and is one of only four Hypothermia and wet cold conditions can major bat hibernacula in Alberta. The cave turn a fun adventure into a life threatening Recommended Resources is closed to the public to reduce the risk of emergency. Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations white-nose syndrome spreading to the • Grizzly bears, black bears, and cougars live in Published annually, available where you purchase resident bats. the park. fishing permits and online at www.srd.alberta.ca • It is recommended that family and friends be informed of your planned route, camping Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations Hunting & Fishing spots, and estimated return time. Published annually, available where you pick up hunting permits and online at www.srd.alberta.ca Hunting is permitted in Whitehorse Wildland Park during open seasons. Hunters must hold Parks Brochures online at albertaparks.ca: a valid permit and are subject to Alberta • Bear Smart hunting regulations. • Living With Cougars Note: hunting is prohibited in the Cadomin Cave • Regulations brochure Preservation Zone. When hunting in the park • Research & Collection Permits please respect other users and recognize that • Filming & Photography in Alberta Parks there may be hiking, cycling, camping, or other activities going on in close proximity. No fishing is permitted in Whitehorse Wildland Park. June 2019 Camping Campfires Bear Safety • It is recommended that backcountry There are grizzly and black bears in the park. travelers use camp stoves. Backpacking By using a few simple techniques, you can Whitehorse Creek Provincial Recreation Area stoves are efficient and leave no fire scars in minimize the risk of a dangerous bear encounter. offers front country campsites and equestrian the backcountry. facilities including corrals, hitching posts and • If possible, never travel alone in the In emergency situations, a wood fire may be loading ramps. Visit albertaparks.ca for more • backcountry. A larger group is always safer a necessity. As much as possible, use an details. At the far west end of the campground is than a single hiker. existing fire pit. Use sites that are clear of dry the trailhead into Whitehorse Wildland. There are grass, bushes, leaves, tree trunks, tree roots, • Carry bear spray on a belt holster for quick four designated backcountry campsites in the access, and know how to use it. park: Trappers, Sawmill, Whitehorse Creek Falls, peat moss and overhanging branches. and Fiddle campsites. • Dig or scrape down to mineral soil. Clear away • Make plenty of noise when approaching blind any flammable materials within 1 metre of the corners, dense shrubs and streams, and • Please use existing campsites. Camp on fire pit. when walking into the wind. A loud shout durable surfaces such as gravel and areas every few minutes is more effective than with sparse vegetation. • Use only dead wood. Live trees in the subalpine areas grow very slowly and should bear bells. Do not wear earphones while on • Camp at least 60 meters from water. Avoid never be used for campfires. the trails. washing in streams. Detergents, soap and • It is best to leave your pet at home, but if toothpaste are harmful to aquatic life. Scatter • Never leave a campfire unattended. Make you do travel with a pet, keep it on a leash. all wash water so that it filters through the soil. sure the fire is out and cold to the touch before retiring for the night and before leaving Loose dogs can attract and irritate bears. • In areas without toilets, use a portable camp. Soak it thoroughly and stir it – and latrine and pack out your waste if possible. • Always keep your group together. then soak it again. Otherwise, make a cat-hole latrine (20 cm Be especially diligent at keeping children with • Supplemental feeds such as hay, grain deep) that naturally decomposes human • Do not bury your fire as the embers can Hiking you at all times. Equestrian Use pellets and alfalfa cubes can be used to waste. All toilets and waste water pits should continue to smoulder and can re-emerge as • Avoid areas if you see signs of recent bear prevent over-grazing. Supplemental feed be filled with soil and levelled when you vacate a wildfire. activities: fresh digging on trails, bear scat, should be stored in sealed containers to your campsite. • During periods of high fire hazard, campfires Many of the park’s trails follow in the historic and claw marks on bear trees. A dead or Horseback riding in Whitehorse Wildland is a prevent tampering by wildlife. Using hay Garbage should always be packed out of • may not be permitted. footsteps of indigenous hunters, fur traders, coal scavenged animal site is especially dangerous. traditional activity. Local outfitters can be hired as supplemental feed has the potential the backcountry, never buried. Wildlife can miners and trappers. • Hang all food, garbage, and scented items on to take visitors safely on guided trips into the to introduce noxious weeds into the easily find and dig up old garbage pits, even While you hike: designated bear poles or high in a tree at least backcountry. If you plan a horseback trip backcountry; grain or alfalfa pellets are in winter. Once accustomed to human food, preferable. these animals may become a problem for • Use well-defined trails and avoid short-cuts 100 m from your sleeping area to discourage into Whitehorse Wildland, please abide by future visitors. across switchbacks. Short-cuts result in bears from investigating. Never store food or these guidelines: • Salt should be kept in a waterproof container erosion and create unwanted parallel trails. scented items in a tent. and elevated above ground; this prevents • Use only established horse trails and routes. leakage into the soil which can attract wildlife. • Never drop litter along trails. Please keep a • Make sure that your cooking area is 100 Avoid braiding new trails. plastic bag handy and pick up any litter you find. meters from your sleeping area to prevent • Use ropes or approved electrical wire to food-odour contamination. Never sleep in • Horses are permitted on the Upper make corrals. Make sure that horse holding • Do not pick wildflowers. Collecting rocks, clothes worn while cooking. Whitehorse Trail, but the lower Whitehorse areas are located at least 100 metres from any fossils and artifacts is not permitted – take a Trail is designated for hikers only. photograph instead. • Pack out all garbage in sealed bags. Never watercourse or body of water. bury food scraps. • Be especially cautious when passing hikers or • Do not tie horses to live trees; this can cause • Your dog must be kept on a leash at all times. mountain bikers. Remember, wildlife regard your dog as either • At night, use a flashlight and move cautiously damage to bark and eventually kill a tree. prey or predator around your campsite. • Scatter manure before breaking camp. Trails and Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park Map Points of Interest 40 Wildland Zone/Park Boundary (no motorized access unless otherwise designated) All distances noted are one-way from the Cheviot Mine main trailhead.