important information for all visitors - alberta.ca · • designated trails are available for use...

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No open fires are allowed. If you use wood burning campstoves, ensure spark arresters are on the chimney. Plan and prepare your meals well. Avoid unnecessary packaging, repack into zip lock bags; take only what you will need. If you pack it in, pack it out! Garbage must be packed out, never buried or burned. Wildlife that find and dig up garbage become accustomed to human food and become problem wildlife. Feeding wildlife creates similar problems. Please help us out by packing out any garbage that you may come across from previous visitors. The maximum stay for camps is 16 days. All camps must be completely removed at the end of your stay. Any abandoned items will be removed and disposed of by Conservation Officers. Respect the Rights of Others: OHVs should yield to hikers, cyclists and equestrian users. Please be considerate of neighbouring private land. Obtain permission from all leaseholders or landowners prior to accessing or crossing any lands other than the wildland park. Access to the heritage rangeland can be restricted by the leaseholder of the area for management purposes. Never park your vehicle so it blocks access to a cattle guard, loading ramps, other vehicles or roadways. Leave gates as you find them. Wildlife and livestock need space, quiet and time to feed. Respect these needs. Report vandalism or other illegal behavior. Important Information for All Visitors Safety in the Backcountry Know the basics of navigation, first aid and minimum impact camping. Know your route and the area; obtain proper maps and keep track of where you are at all times by map and compass, GPS, or both. Carry extra batteries and have a compass available in case the GPS fails. Consider a personal SPOT GPS device for emergency communications. Inform family, friends or authorities of your route and your expected return time and leave a note in your vehicle. Bring sufficient supplies and gear such as food, matches, first aid kit and emergency blanket, even on day trips. Bring extra clothing and safety supplies, Bob Creek Wildland is a remote location and the weather can change quickly. Check weather conditions before you go. Be prepared for weather changes. Dress in layers. Bring clothing and equipment that will keep you warm, dry and comfortable. Use caution when fording streams - they can be dangerous, especially when stream flows are high. Travel in a group. If you get lost, stay put. Keep warm and dry. In an emergency, think first … then act. This will increase your chances of survival. Familiarize yourself with wildlife safety techniques. When heading into bear country: Welcome to Bob Creek Wildland and Black Creek Heritage Rangeland. Located in SW Alberta, between the Livingstone Range of the Rocky Mountain Front, the Oldman River and Highway 22, these protected wildlands surround one of Alberta’s unique ecological areas known as “The Whaleback”. Together Bob Creek Wildland and Black Creek Rangeland protect the largest intact expanse of montane landscape in Alberta. The unique features of this natural region support elk herds, grizzly bears and wolves, species at risk while at the same time continuing the historic uses of the land. Please be respectful of the grassland, wildlife, cattle and the other users of this area. Beneath this wild prairie is sedimentary rock, folded and faulted, with ridges that follow major fault lines. Several ice ages over the last 100,000 years eroded this underlying rock and combined with the unique weather patterns of SW Alberta to create the landscape. Today, the land is characterized by rolling fescue grasslands, steep forested and grassy ridges, with many springs and small creeks along the valley bottoms. All users are reminded that compliance checks may be performed by conservation officers at any time. When you are in the area please ensure that you are compliant with all provincial and federal regulations including, but not limited to, possessing valid hunting licenses, as well as valid insurance and registration for your OHVs. Contact Alberta Parks Office Phone: (403) 382–4097 Toll free: 310–0000 Web: albertaparks.ca Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) Phone: 911 Conservation Officer Phone: (403) 382–4097 Forest Fires 310–FIRE (3473) Report-A-Poacher Phone: 1–800–642–3800 Recommended Resources Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations Published annually, available where you purchase fishing permits and online at www.srd.alberta.ca Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations Published annually, available where you pick up hunting permits and online at www.srd.alberta.ca Parks Brochures online at albertaparks.ca: Bear Smart Living With Cougars Regulations brochure Research & Collection Permits Filming & Photography in Alberta Parks Anglers Please Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors” World Class Fishing is just outside the wildland, at Maycroft Provincial Recreation Area. There you can park in designated day use parking and carefully access the Oldman River. Be extremely cautious of high water and cliffs when navigating to the edge of the river. Please follow the fishing regulations from the sport fishing guide, available wherever you purchased your fishing license. ISBN: 978–1–4601–0504–7 Printed August 2013 Warn bears of your presence by making noise. Avoid any kill sites you may come across. Be aware of bear signs such as tracks, droppings, diggings and food sources such as carcasses and berry patches. If you see a bear, or fresh bear signs, leave the area and notify Conservation Officers or Alberta Parks staff. For detailed information about safety in bear country, read our Bear Smart brochure, downloadable from www.albertaparks.ca. Don’t forget, other wildlife like moose, can also be dangerous. Stay alert and aware to avoid dangerous close encounters. Minimize Your Impact Backcountry camping is permitted in Bob Creek Wildland. It is not permitted in the Heritage Rangeland at any time. In the wildland, backcountry camping is not permitted within 1 km of the Camp Creek Access Point. Camping is also not permitted within the confines of the Bob Creek Staging Area or the Camp Creek Access Point. Be aware of your effect on the environment and act responsibly. Familiarize yourself with all regulations in effect. Choose lightweight equipment that is durable and safe. Park your vehicle in a designated parking area. Do Not park on roadside meadows or other sensitive areas. Wash and relieve yourself at a minimum of 50 metres (150 feet) from any water source. Bury human waste and toilet paper. Equestrian Users Please Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors” Enjoy your ride and please show respect to the natural environment in the following ways: Park your horse trailer only in designated parking location and never block cattle guards, other vehicles, loading ramps or roadways. Use processed (cubes or pellets) or certified weed free hay. Do not leave unused feed behind. Do not clean out your horse trailer in the parking lot. When around water, stay on hard ground surfaces and avoid soft ground conditions to prevent steam bank erosion and possible bogging of your horse. Be extremely careful around springs, wetlands and small muddy stream crossings. Do not tie or highline your horses to evergreen trees or cottonwoods or near creeks or springs. Aspen are a tree species that is taking over the fescue grassland and can work well for tying your horses. Hikers Please Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors” When hiking, keep your groups to a maximum of 10 and be respectful of the grassland, wildlife, cattle and other users. The following guidelines will help you enjoy your hike. Avoid low wet areas; when this is not possible, take care to minimize your disturbance of vegetation. Bob Creek Wildland and Black Creek Heritage Rangeland is a wilderness area. All visitors must be prepared for backcountry conditions. Ensure you have enough gear and safety equipment should you need it due to changing weather conditions and enough experience to safely travel in the area. Keep litter in your pockets or bring along a bag to put it in. The best way to access Bob Creek Wildland and Black Creek Heritage Rangeland is from the south end. Cyclers Please Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors” Please show respect to the natural environment in the following ways: When coming up behind other trail users and when approaching blind corners, use your bell to warn others of your presence Stay alert! Remember, you are traveling fast and you could startle bears or other wildlife if you move too quietly along trails; be extra cautious. When approaching horses, say hello to the rider to let the horse know that you are human. Move your bike off the trail and keep it between you and the horse. This will facilitate passing and will put you in a safer position as the horse is passing. Follow the instructions of the rider. Stay on trails. Hunters Please Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors” Hunting is permitted in Bob Creek Wildland and subject to wildlife regulations pertinent for Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 308 and WMU 402. Off-Highway Vehicle (OHVs) Users Please Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors” OHV use (snowmobiles and quads only) is permitted on designated trails only. Off trail use is prohibited. Be responsible when using your quad or snowmobile by complying with the following: OHV operators will be required to produce valid registration and insurance. Only snowmobiles and quad motorized vehicles are permitted on designated trails in the Bob Creek Wildland. You can use a snowmobile and quad to access a camping area within 100 metres of the designated trails, so long as there is an established trail to it. A quad has been defined as a four-wheeled, (but also includes three-wheeled) vehicle that: has low ground-pressure tires, (10 psi or less) has a vehicle weight not exceeding 386 kilograms has no tracks has a wheel base of 1.55 metres or less, and width of 1.22 metres or less is steered by changing the horizontal alignment of front wheels must be equipped with functional headlights, tail-lights, and spark arrestor. Quads and snowmobiles must meet current provincial regulation standards. These OHV standards exist to ensure rider safety and to minimize environmental impacts. Stay on designated trails at all times (designated trails are shown on the map). Designated trails are available for use from May 1 through December 20. Don’t drink and ride. Use of low-pressure tires is mandatory to reduce impacts (i.e., scarring). Avoid spinning quad tires in mud or on soft trails. Minimize ground disturbance when entering, crossing, and exiting creeks that are part of the designated trail system. Sediments are harmful to fish and habitat. Be aware of the potential negative effects of recreational OHV use (wildlife disruption, soil and water contamination, loss of vegetation cover, soil erosion, noise). Obey all lawfully posted signs. For more information about recreational access on leased lands visit mywildalberta.com. PARK GUIDE Bob Creek Wildland Provincial Park

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Page 1: Important Information for All Visitors - alberta.ca · • Designated trails are available for use from May 1 through December 20. • Don’t drink and ride. • Use of low-pressure

• Noopenfiresareallowed.

• Ifyouusewoodburningcampstoves,ensuresparkarrestersareonthechimney.

• Planandprepareyourmealswell.Avoidunnecessarypackaging,repackintoziplockbags;takeonlywhatyouwillneed.

• Ifyoupackitin,packitout!Garbagemustbepackedout,neverburiedorburned.Wildlifethatfindanddigupgarbagebecomeaccustomedtohumanfoodandbecomeproblemwildlife.Feedingwildlifecreatessimilarproblems.Pleasehelpusoutbypackingoutanygarbagethatyoumaycomeacrossfrompreviousvisitors.

• Themaximumstayforcampsis16days.Allcampsmustbecompletelyremovedattheendofyourstay.AnyabandoneditemswillberemovedanddisposedofbyConservationOfficers.

Respect the Rights of Others:

• OHVsshouldyieldtohikers,cyclistsandequestrianusers.

• Pleasebeconsiderateofneighbouringprivateland.Obtainpermissionfromallleaseholdersorlandownerspriortoaccessingorcrossinganylandsotherthanthewildlandpark.Accesstotheheritagerangelandcanberestrictedbytheleaseholderoftheareaformanagementpurposes.

• Neverparkyourvehiclesoitblocksaccesstoacattleguard,loadingramps,othervehiclesorroadways.

• Leavegatesasyoufindthem.

• Wildlifeandlivestockneedspace,quietandtimetofeed.Respecttheseneeds.

• Reportvandalismorotherillegalbehavior.

Important Information for All VisitorsSafety in the Backcountry

• Knowthebasicsofnavigation,firstaidandminimumimpactcamping.

• Knowyourrouteandthearea;obtainpropermapsandkeeptrackofwhereyouareatalltimesbymapandcompass,GPS,orboth.CarryextrabatteriesandhaveacompassavailableincasetheGPSfails.ConsiderapersonalSPOTGPSdeviceforemergencycommunications.

• Informfamily,friendsorauthoritiesofyourrouteandyourexpectedreturntimeandleaveanoteinyourvehicle.

• Bringsufficientsuppliesandgearsuchasfood,matches,firstaidkitandemergencyblanket,evenondaytrips.

• Bringextraclothingandsafetysupplies,BobCreekWildlandisaremotelocationandtheweathercanchangequickly.

• Checkweatherconditionsbeforeyougo.Bepreparedforweatherchanges.Dressinlayers.Bringclothingandequipmentthatwillkeepyouwarm,dryandcomfortable.

• Usecautionwhenfordingstreams-theycanbedangerous,especiallywhenstreamflowsarehigh.Travelinagroup.

• Ifyougetlost,stayput.Keepwarmanddry.

• Inanemergency,thinkfirst…thenact.Thiswillincreaseyourchancesofsurvival.

• Familiarizeyourselfwithwildlifesafetytechniques.

• Whenheadingintobearcountry:

Welcome to Bob Creek Wildland and Black Creek Heritage Rangeland.

LocatedinSWAlberta,betweentheLivingstoneRangeoftheRockyMountainFront,theOldmanRiverandHighway22,theseprotectedwildlandssurroundoneofAlberta’suniqueecologicalareasknownas“TheWhaleback”.TogetherBobCreekWildlandandBlackCreekRangelandprotectthelargestintactexpanseofmontanelandscapeinAlberta.Theuniquefeaturesofthisnaturalregionsupportelkherds,grizzlybearsandwolves,speciesatriskwhileatthesametimecontinuingthehistoricusesoftheland.Pleaseberespectfulofthegrassland,wildlife,cattleandtheotherusersofthisarea.

Beneaththiswildprairieissedimentaryrock,foldedandfaulted,withridgesthatfollowmajorfaultlines.Severaliceagesoverthelast100,000yearserodedthisunderlyingrockandcombinedwiththeuniqueweatherpatternsofSWAlbertatocreatethelandscape.Today,thelandischaracterizedbyrollingfescuegrasslands,steepforestedandgrassyridges,withmanyspringsandsmallcreeksalongthevalleybottoms.

All users are reminded that compliance checks may be performed by conservation officers at any time.Whenyouareintheareapleaseensurethatyouarecompliantwithallprovincialandfederalregulationsincluding,butnotlimitedto,possessingvalidhuntinglicenses,aswellasvalidinsuranceandregistrationforyourOHVs.

ContactAlberta Parks OfficePhone:(403)382–4097Tollfree:310–0000Web:albertaparks.ca

Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance)Phone:911

Conservation OfficerPhone:(403)382–4097

Forest Fires310–FIRE(3473)

Report-A-PoacherPhone:1–800–642–3800

Recommended Resources

Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations Publishedannually,availablewhereyoupurchasefishingpermitsandonlineatwww.srd.alberta.ca

Alberta Guide to Hunting RegulationsPublishedannually,availablewhereyoupickuphuntingpermitsandonlineatwww.srd.alberta.ca

Parks Brochuresonlineatalbertaparks.ca:

• BearSmart

• LivingWithCougars

• Regulationsbrochure

• Research&CollectionPermits

• Filming&PhotographyinAlbertaParks

AnglersPlease Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors”

WorldClassFishingisjustoutsidethewildland,atMaycroftProvincialRecreationArea.ThereyoucanparkindesignateddayuseparkingandcarefullyaccesstheOldmanRiver.Beextremelycautiousofhighwaterandcliffswhennavigatingtotheedgeoftheriver.

Pleasefollowthefishingregulationsfromthesportfishingguide,availablewhereveryoupurchasedyourfishinglicense.

ISBN:978–1–4601–0504–7

PrintedAugust2013

• Warnbearsofyourpresencebymakingnoise.

• Avoidanykillsitesyoumaycomeacross.

• Beawareofbearsignssuchastracks,droppings,diggingsandfoodsourcessuchascarcassesandberrypatches.

• Ifyouseeabear,orfreshbearsigns,leavetheareaandnotifyConservationOfficersorAlbertaParksstaff.

• Fordetailedinformationaboutsafetyinbearcountry,readourBearSmartbrochure,downloadablefromwww.albertaparks.ca.

• Don’tforget,otherwildlifelikemoose,canalsobedangerous.Stayalertandawaretoavoiddangerouscloseencounters.

Minimize Your Impact

• BackcountrycampingispermittedinBobCreekWildland.ItisnotpermittedintheHeritageRangelandatanytime.

• Inthewildland,backcountrycampingisnotpermittedwithin1kmoftheCampCreekAccessPoint.

• CampingisalsonotpermittedwithintheconfinesoftheBobCreekStagingAreaortheCampCreekAccessPoint.

• Beawareofyoureffectontheenvironmentandactresponsibly.

• Familiarizeyourselfwithallregulationsineffect.

• Chooselightweightequipmentthatisdurableandsafe.

• Parkyourvehicleinadesignatedparkingarea.

• DoNotparkonroadsidemeadowsorothersensitiveareas.

• Washandrelieveyourselfataminimumof50metres(150feet)fromanywatersource.

• Buryhumanwasteandtoiletpaper.

Equestrian UsersPlease Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors”

Enjoyyourrideandpleaseshowrespecttothenaturalenvironmentinthefollowingways:

• Parkyourhorsetraileronlyindesignatedparkinglocationandneverblockcattleguards,othervehicles,loadingrampsorroadways.

• Useprocessed(cubesorpellets)orcertifiedweedfreehay.Donotleaveunusedfeedbehind.

• Donotcleanoutyourhorsetrailerintheparkinglot.

• Whenaroundwater,stayonhardgroundsurfacesandavoidsoftgroundconditionstopreventsteambankerosionandpossibleboggingofyourhorse.Beextremelycarefularoundsprings,wetlandsandsmallmuddystreamcrossings.

• Donottieorhighlineyourhorsestoevergreentreesorcottonwoodsornearcreeksorsprings.Aspenareatreespeciesthatistakingoverthefescuegrasslandandcanworkwellfortyingyourhorses.

HikersPlease Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors”

• Whenhiking,keepyourgroupstoamaximumof10andberespectfulofthegrassland,wildlife,cattleandotherusers.Thefollowingguidelineswillhelpyouenjoyyourhike.

• Avoidlowwetareas;whenthisisnotpossible,takecaretominimizeyourdisturbanceofvegetation.

• BobCreekWildlandandBlackCreekHeritageRangelandisawildernessarea.Allvisitorsmustbepreparedforbackcountryconditions.Ensureyouhaveenoughgearandsafetyequipmentshouldyouneeditduetochangingweatherconditionsandenoughexperiencetosafelytravelinthearea.

• Keeplitterinyourpocketsorbringalongabagtoputitin.

• ThebestwaytoaccessBobCreekWildlandandBlackCreekHeritageRangelandisfromthesouthend.

CyclersPlease Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors”

Pleaseshowrespecttothenaturalenvironmentinthefollowingways:

• Whencomingupbehindothertrailusersandwhenapproachingblindcorners,useyourbelltowarnothersofyourpresence

• Stayalert!Remember,youaretravelingfastandyoucouldstartlebearsorotherwildlifeifyoumovetooquietlyalongtrails;beextracautious.

• Whenapproachinghorses,sayhellototheridertoletthehorseknowthatyouarehuman.Moveyourbikeoffthetrailandkeepitbetweenyouandthehorse.Thiswillfacilitatepassingandwillputyouinasaferpositionasthehorseispassing.Followtheinstructionsoftherider.

• Stayontrails.

HuntersPlease Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors”

HuntingispermittedinBobCreekWildlandandsubjecttowildliferegulationspertinentforWildlifeManagementUnit(WMU)308andWMU402.

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHVs) UsersPlease Review the Section “Important Information for All Visitors”

OHV use (snowmobiles and quads only) is permitted on designated trails only. Off trail use is prohibited.

Beresponsiblewhenusingyourquadorsnowmobilebycomplyingwiththefollowing:

• OHVoperatorswillberequiredtoproducevalidregistrationandinsurance.

• OnlysnowmobilesandquadmotorizedvehiclesarepermittedondesignatedtrailsintheBobCreekWildland.

• Youcanuseasnowmobileandquadtoaccessacampingareawithin100metresofthedesignatedtrails,solongasthereisanestablishedtrailtoit.

• Aquadhasbeendefinedasafour-wheeled,(butalsoincludesthree-wheeled)vehiclethat:

• haslowground-pressuretires,(10psiorless)

• hasavehicleweightnotexceeding386kilograms

• hasnotracks

• hasawheelbaseof1.55metresorless,andwidthof1.22metresorless

• issteeredbychangingthehorizontalalignmentoffrontwheels

• mustbeequippedwithfunctionalheadlights,tail-lights,andsparkarrestor.

• Quadsandsnowmobilesmustmeetcurrentprovincialregulationstandards.TheseOHVstandardsexisttoensureridersafetyandtominimizeenvironmentalimpacts.

• Stayondesignatedtrailsatalltimes(designatedtrailsareshownonthemap).

• DesignatedtrailsareavailableforusefromMay1throughDecember20.

• Don’tdrinkandride.

• Useoflow-pressuretiresismandatorytoreduceimpacts(i.e.,scarring).

• Avoidspinningquadtiresinmudoronsofttrails.Minimizegrounddisturbancewhenentering,crossing,andexitingcreeksthatarepartofthedesignatedtrailsystem.Sedimentsareharmfultofishandhabitat.

• BeawareofthepotentialnegativeeffectsofrecreationalOHVuse(wildlifedisruption,soilandwatercontamination,lossofvegetationcover,soilerosion,noise).

• Obeyalllawfullypostedsigns.

• Formoreinformationaboutrecreationalaccessonleasedlandsvisitmywildalberta.com.

PA R K G U I D E

Bob CreekWildland Provincial Park

Page 2: Important Information for All Visitors - alberta.ca · • Designated trails are available for use from May 1 through December 20. • Don’t drink and ride. • Use of low-pressure

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