CLOSURE OF UPPER GRASSI LAKES TRAIL
Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park
ISSUE: Potential for significant rockfall on to a Parks trail and climbing routes on Upper part of Grassi Lakes Trail
·Grassi Lakes Trail is a very popular hiking trail and sport climbing area.
BACKGROUND:
·Spray lakes road lies directly above a canyon where the upper part of Grassi Lakes trail is situated. There are numerous climbing routes above the trail on the canyon wall.
·The road is very narrow and has a large number of large Gabian baskets full of rock installed below the road and above the canyon to help stabilize the roadbed.
·Parks was notified of the issue in the early afternoon of Aug 14 2007 by Volker Stevin, road contractors for the area under Alberta Transportation.
·The baskets were reviewed by District Officer Glenn Naylor and Public Safety specialist George Field, and immediately it was evident these posed a significant threat to hikers and climbers below.
·When asked when this was first noticed, Naylor was told early July.
·The baskets are sitting precariously on a steep slope above the trail, and some are hanging precariously. There is definitely a good chance them tumbling down the slope in a period of heavy rain especially.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
·Immediately close the upper portion of Grassi Lakes Trail to all use due to significant safety concerns. Officers closed this portion in the evening of Aug 14, 2007.
·It would remain closed until Alberta Transportation has the baskets removed and re-stabilized.
Contact: Glenn Naylor/George Field
Date: Tuesday August 13, 2007
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.