Calgary Jeep Association
Off Highway Staging Area => Open Trail Rides => Topic started by: Sprockett on June 24, 2009, 09:17:34 PM
-
Me and S-Fly are heading out to McLean this weekend for a short easy run. We do not know the area well at all and are looking for suggestions on easier runs. I've heard Quirk Ridge is a good choice but we've no idea where it is. The 101 trail sounded fun as well. Can anyone suggest anything else or help us map the way?
I have the latest map of the area but it doesn't help much.
Here it is online as well.
http://srd.alberta.ca/lands/recreation/fluz/docs/FLUZ%20of%20Kananaskis%20Country_map.pdf
I suppose others are welcome to join but know that we are not particularly experienced so unless you're looking to 'lead' us around, we wouldn't make the best guides :D
I'm in a YJ, locked on 35s and my buddy is in an XJ open on 31 mts. We've not made it out to organized run this year yet and 3 times at top of the world is enough for one summer :)
-
The map you have sucks but you can use it. I lead a run last weekend through that area.
Quirk Ridge is a nice run, but do not try it if ya have more that 5 or 6 rigs. There will not be any room at the top to turn around. Seriously.
I would try to find a better map. I got mine at MEC, plastic coated, about $10.
Quirk Trail is the most westerly purple line on your map. The ridge run crosses Quirk Creek (that's marked). The trail run is a well maintained road.
There are plenty of places into that area. Straight west of the store past the gravel pit or Fisher West are 2 options. Just make sure you stay to designed Jeep trails. I don't think we could have navigated with this map alone.
-
Head to top of the world, thats a nice easy run.
-
Ryan, I can't make it out this weekend. Get the Gem Trek map (MEC has them) for Bragg Creek and Elbow Falls - it covers McLean Creek. My trail suggestions: Elbow River, Silvester, Quirk/Quirk Ridge, Cutoff, Fish Creek West, Valley, Fisher West, McLean Hill (ridge route) and Priddis East. These trails are all doable on 31" MTs, I ran alot of these trails with the stock 29" ATs. There are a few signs out there - look for them. Do some exploring, bring a compass or a GPS - it's an adventure, a winch is a handy item for any misadventures ;)
-
Head to top of the world, thats a nice easy run.
We've not made it out to organized run this year yet and 3 times at top of the world is enough for one summer :)
:)
I work not 3 blocks from MEC so I'll go get a map at lunch. Thanks for the suggestions on trails Tom but do any of these maps name trails? Or is it just signs on there?
Thanks guys,
Ryan
-
MEC. the company that openly supports closure of every motorized trail in Alberta. But, they sure have good stuff there.
-
Any map store and some book store sell the gemtrek maps. I think I have even seen them at soem gas stations. Great maps by the way
-
MEC. the company that openly supports closure of every motorized trail in Alberta. But, they sure have good stuff there.
What is the point of this post? If I guess it right, why did you feel the need to use sarcasm?
-
I think that he's encouraging you to spend your trail map dollars at places that don't advocate excluding us Jeep types from the wilderness.
He's probably using sarcasm because he's tired of saying the same thing over and over. Spinalguy has been part of the Jeep community through a lot of things.
-
Fair enough. Can I submit that not everyone who gets into 4x4 would be instantly aware of MECs current stance on motorized trails and sarcasm is unecessary and inciting.
-
Agreed...but also please understand that the actual tone of the sarcasm is VERY hard to read over the internet. I doubt that it was inteded to wind you up.
-
no.... it probably was.... and that is why we all love spinalguy!!
:) :)
-
The Gem Trek map names the trails.
If you have spent any time engaging in outdoor pursuits like: cycling, backpacking, hiking, climbing, canoeing, telemark or cross country skiing - you likely know about MEC and have bought clothing and gear from them. They offer good gear at reasonable prices (prices have risen over the years), and stand behind their products. My family jokes that I buy all my clothes from them :o I'm aware of their stance on OHVs and spoke to them about alienating that segment of the market. I guess we are a relatively small segment and the majority of their clientele support their position.
-
Ryan, don't be offended so easily. I do not patronize MEC anymore. I do a lot of outdoor activities besides wheeling and find they have some great products ;but I parked my old CJ in their parking lot a long time ago, and was given some "stares" from the staff. I spoke to the staff about local maps(for fly-fishing) and they didn't like that either(I kill poor fishys?) I found them to be "elitist" and "snobby" Please buy your map elsewhere or make a copy of mine. I do not want to support stores such as MEC anymore.
I don't think Spinal Guy was busting on you. He was one of my inspirations for getting back into wheeling. I remember when he did an article in "OFF The Beaten Path" and his enthusiasm for wheeling and the environment made me join the AURS so long ago. Don't get twisted in a knot over his remark...but if you did..he can probably work the kinks out of your back ;)
-
I've been on this website for probably close to or over 5 years now....since the last inception of the forum, possibly one before that I think.
I've seen Tom go ballistic on a couple of land issue posts, but as far as I can remember, it's always towards the issue, not the person posting. Like mentioned above, things written on the idjitweb are hard to decode sometimes. :)
-
Maybe we could do the show n' shine in their parking lot next year? ;D
-
but if you did..he can probably work the kinks out of your back
ha, nice
-
I suppose as a member of MEC I should be trying to fight their stance! If some of the groups they have supported in the past got their way, even hikers, canoers, backpackers, climbers etc. would be excluded from the back-country!
Edit: What about Camper's Village... I know they do stuff for outfitters etc. now that's horses, something that MEC probably despises too, despite that being what brought us non-indigenous peoples out here in the first place.
If it's not self-propelled, MEC wants nothing to do with it.
-
I doubt that MEC has any more influence on SRD's direction than the OHV crowd - which is none to minimal.
As a side note, the OHV users are not the only ones to lose trails. Cyclists lost access to all but 6 trails in Banff Nat. Park. Downhilling bikes could startle, scare or inconvenience hikers and trail riders (horse back). Rutting and erosion of trails caused by riders was a debateable issue. The trail ride outfits had a long history in the Banff and had alot of influence. The horses were here first and opened this country. The horse riders lost nothing and the mountain bikers lost it all except those 6 trails. Horses do far more damage to a trail than bikers or hikers.
Bikers still have access to all of the provincial parks except 1 trail? around the upper Kananaskis lakes, so there is plenty of riding to be had.
As an offroader we do get the short end of the stick when it comes to access.
-
Another great place for clothing and equipment is the new Bass shop on highway 2...... Great prices, great staff, an overall redneck amusment park. If you havent been there yet you should check it out.
-
I doubt that MEC has any more influence on SRD's direction than the OHV crowd - which is none to minimal.
As a side note, the OHV users are not the only ones to lose trails. Cyclists lost access to all but 6 trails in Banff Nat. Park. Downhilling bikes could startle, scare or inconvenience hikers and trail riders (horse back). Rutting and erosion of trails caused by riders was a debateable issue. The trail ride outfits had a long history in the Banff and had alot of influence. The horses were here first and opened this country. The horse riders lost nothing and the mountain bikers lost it all except those 6 trails. Horses do far more damage to a trail than bikers or hikers.
Bikers still have access to all of the provincial parks except 1 trail? around the upper Kananaskis lakes, so there is plenty of riding to be had.
As an offroader we do get the short end of the stick when it comes to access.
All quite accurate....but MEC's limited influence doesn't stop them from advocating restrictions on access to anyone that's not self-propelled. I for one am willing to alter my buying patterns based on someone's agenda, even if they haven't managed to get that agenda actioned....yet.
-
My jeep is self propelled............ I have had it pushed out several times ;D
-
Ryan, I can't make it out this weekend. Get the Gem Trek map (MEC has them) for Bragg Creek and Elbow Falls - it covers McLean Creek. My trail suggestions: Elbow River, Silvester, Quirk/Quirk Ridge, Cutoff, Fish Creek West, Valley, Fisher West, McLean Hill (ridge route) and Priddis East. These trails are all doable on 31" MTs, I ran alot of these trails with the stock 29" ATs. There are a few signs out there - look for them. Do some exploring, bring a compass or a GPS - it's an adventure, a winch is a handy item for any misadventures ;)
Valley trail is a dead end now >:(
Well it was last year befor mclean closed for the season
-
Ok guys, thanks for the suggestions, discussion and clarifications.
We're going out on Sunday morning...probably meeting at the store at 9:30am leaving by 10am. Hope to be home for dinner so not more then a few hours. Not sure we've totally decided which trail(s) to take but with a map and GPS we'll probably wander around :) If anyone wants to join that has good front and rear tow points and good AT or MT tires (31"min) , let me know here or by PM and we'll look out for you at the store.
Thanks,
Ryan
-
Well, we ended up taking the main North road (Elbow River trail?) past the gravel pit then straight down Sylvester. From there we went back to the main west road (McLean Creek Trail) on Fisher Trail West. Interesting descent on big, loose rocks with a few high ledges. As it turns out, a group of mostly stock rigs I was with on opening weekend tried climbing this trail in the snow but it ended with a broken Pathfinder. Looks like it would be an interesting climb in dry.
We got around OK with the Gem Trek map and a city Garmin GPS (just for the Lat/Longs). Interesting that the main north road, McLean Creek Trail as well as the entire Sylvestor trail showed in the Garmin as 'Unpaved Road'. This is a turn by turn auto GPS I mean not a handheld. This made things alot easier to navigate.
Anyways, thanks for the suggestions again.
Ryan
-
[quote
Valley trail is a dead end now >:(
Well it was last year befor mclean closed for the season
[/quote]
that used to be one of the better trails out there................
ryan, sounds like you ran the 101 trail. not a bad one