The Barriers to Kananaskis Are Coming Down

With the odd exception the winter gates open by May 15, 2007. I know the gates are important. They protect the wildlife during the time when food supplies are not plentiful at higher altitudes. With the decreased traffic, the wildlife is not driven into the hills. While this is important, the gates block many fantastic hiking trails unless you feel like walking or cycling to the trail heads. For those that put in the effort to hike past the gates you usually get to see more wildlife than you might once the RVs hit the roads and the hikers and bikers the trails. Starting the 15th you should not see this when you try to approach most parts of K-country. Maybe I will take the day off.

Here is the status of the gates in Kananaskis Country from the south to the north.

Highway #940: The gates opened on May 1.
Highway #541: Closed until June 15.
Highway #546: Open on May 15.
Maclean Creek Trail Road: The gates opened May 1.
Highway #66: Open May 15.
Highway #68: Open May 15.
Powderface Road: Open May 15.
Highway #40: Closed until June 15.