International Trails Day is an annual celebration of trails, trail development and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. It is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in June. This year, 2011 is the 9th annual celebration. The Wood Buffalo Adventure Club participated in the RMWB’s Amazing Families Race by providing Bear Awareness Activities.
Lake O’Hara 2011 Trip
One of the most photographed areas in Canada, Lake O’Hara can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. The area offers hiking experiences, ranging from gentle strolls through alpine meadows to challenging high-alpine routes. Located in Yoho National Park, there are several day hikes that visitors can enjoy.
Members of the Wood Buffalo Adventure Club explored numerous trails. The first was the Lake Oesa trail. After circling Lake O’Hara, the trail meandered up a valley filled with ponds and several waterfalls, finishing at Lake Oesa. There was lots of snow in the mountains, and along the shoreline. Barry spotted several fossil corals along the way within the quartzite. The rocks in the area (mostly quartzite) are similar to the
rocks in the Lake Louise area. The quartzite itself is very hard and pure, with
pink, orange and green colours. This type of pure quartzite is mined in Ontario
to make glass.
Helen, Shirley, Wes, Ian and Barry hiked to Opabin Lake. After arriving at the lake and spending some time by the shore, the group decided to explore the Yuckness Ledges, a path along the face of Mount Yuckness going from Opabin Lake towards Lake Oesa. This turned out to be the highlight of the trip with some rock scrambling, and excellent views of Lake O’Hara and surrounding mountains. Barry indicated that “This hike will go down as one of my three most spectacular hikes ever!” The group rounded off the trip by visiting Morning Glory Lakes.
Adventure Hike
The Wood Buffalo Adventure Club is proud to take part in Alberta Environment Week. From June 5 – 12 you can take part in activities that help lessen our environmental footprint. Environment Week celebrates Alberta’s environment. It is a great time for
Albertans to host and attend events that include some learning, some fun and
some action. Action is doing something on purpose to lessen your impact on the
environment. Celebrating and action projects are great ways to bring a community
together towards a greener future.
Hangingstone River Geology Hike
Ever wonder where the oil came from in the oil sands? Is there oil everywhere?
This hike takes us to two cliff exposures of good oilsand, along with other
features you will want to see (some fossils too!). We follow a 4 km trail
around the Hangingstone River and climb up a hill towards the Abasand
subdivision to a lookout for lunch. The trail continues to loop through the
forest eventually returning to Grayling Terrace.
Wednesday Night Hike
Each Wednesday we meet at the Doug Barnes Cabin and explore a different trail on the Birchwood Trails. With more than a 130 km, there are plenty of trails for us to explore. Visit http://woodbuffalo.ab.ca to download a trail map.
Off the Beaten Trail
Tired of the same old vacation destination? Want to learn more about exotic locations and explore new vacation options? Join us for Off the Beaten Trail. Held during the winter months, you’ll learn about interesting trips and vacation destinations from travelers who have experienced it first hand. The evening also includes dinner and a short awareness training presentation on everything from how to dress in winter, to bear awareness.
Abasand Hike
Here are photos taken when we were hiking in Abasand.
Beaver Creek
These are photos taken for Beaver Creek Hike.
Crow Lake
Here are photos taken when we were hiking in Crow Lake.
Fort Chipewyan
In the winter of 2010 WBAC travelled up the ice road to visit historic Fort Chipewyan. Fort Chipewyan is Alberta’s oldest community and is located on the northwestern tip of Lake Athabasca. Fort Chipewyan was built in 1788 as a trading post for the NorthWest Company and was important to the fur trade. WBAC visited its small museum which displays this community’s rich past. In addition to the museum, WBAC also took part in dog sledding and ice fishing.
Winter roads link the community to Fort McMurray in the south and Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories. The WBAC traveled the 280-km trip from Fort McMurray to Fort Chip by convoy, enjoying the beauty of the Canadian Shield along the way!
Grand Rapids
Here are photos taken when we were in Grand Rapids.
Little Fisheries
Little Fisheries is a beautiful trail that starts at the Thickwood Golf Course and begins with a steady climb to a plateau overlooking the Athabasca River. The trail loops at the top with options of shortening or lengthening the distance. Points of interest include a fire pit, marsh with bridges and plenty of viewing points of the Athabasca River.
Maqua Lake
Maqua Lake Provincial Recreation Area is located south of Gregoire Lake Provincial Park and is near the edge of the Boreal Highlands Sub-region. Maqua Lake provides the only automobile access to this sub-region within the parks and protected areas network. Camping at Maqua Lake is an annual event for the WBAC. Each summer the club enjoys hiking, swimming and canoeing in this beautiful and picturesque park.
Gregoire Lake
Gregoire Lake is a large, shallow lake located 30 km southeast of Fort McMurray in Gregoire Lake Provincial Park. Gregoire Lake supports three First Nations reserves, two camps, Anzac, and Gregoire Lake Provincial Park. Gregoire Lake is located in the Boreal Mixedwood eco-region of the province. Recreational activities on the lake include boating, windsurfing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and fishing for walleye. There are a number of trails located in the provincial park for day hikes. For hike details and maps, please visit the Alberta Parks webpage.
Skyline
Here are photos taken when we were hiking with Skyline.
Winter Camping
It maybe cold but it sure was fun. One of the best things about winter camping is quinzee building. Quinzees are great winter shelters that will keep you toasty warm no matter how cold the temperatures get!
Trail Clean-Up
Doing our part to keep the city clean. The WBAC adopted a portion of the Birchwood Trails for the RMWB’s summer clean-up. The Club performed four clean-ups between May and September. As a thank-you, the RMWB set up a placard at the beginning of the Birchwood Trails acknowledging the club’s contribution to the Community Clean-up Initiative.
SPCA dog walk
On the last Saturday of each month, the WBAC meets at the Fort McMurray SPCA to give some adorable dogs a walk. For walk details, please see our Events Calendar.
Berg Lake
Berg Lake is located in Mount Robson Provincial Park, the second oldest park in British Columbia’s park system. At 3,954 meters, Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. In summer of 2010, members of the WBAC hiked the Berg Lake Trail. Berg Lake Trail is one of the best known trails in the Rocky Mountains which can be hiked by both beginner and advanced hikers. Gaining just under 800 meters in 23 kilometers, the trail traverses three biogeoclimatic zones. For more information on the Berg Lake Trail, please visit BC Parks.
Snowshoeing is fun
Snowshoeing is a fun, inexpensive and active way to visit the outdoors. It provides a great cardiovascular workout and is a wonderful way to meet new people! Want to join us? Check out our events calendar for the next snowshoeing activity on the Birchwood Trails.
Family Day
The Wood Buffalo Adventure Club held a winter family day event that included snowshoeing, ice fishing, quincee building and other fun outdoor activities.
