Trail Report Trail Report - Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area

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HEAVY RAINFALL AND INCREASED BEAVER ACTIVITY HAS CAUSED FLOODING on a number of our trails throughout the park.

Not all trails are being maintained by park staff as access is highly restricted
Please be cautious, do not attempt to cross damaged sections of trail and respect all trail closures.

The trails at Cooking Lake-Blackfoot total approximately 170 km in length and provide recreational opportunities to a multitude of users. From cross country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding in the winter season to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use in the summer, these trails provide ample opportunity to experience nature first-hand. Weave through forests of spruce, poplar and birch while taking in stunning views of waterfowl-filled wetlands.

Maintaining the trail system is a big job and Parks staff work hard to ensure every user has the opportunity to enjoy their time on the trails. As such, these trails are divided into prioritized sections in the winter season, or zones, to allow for timely and effective mowing, fallen tree removal, snow grooming and track-setting. These zones have been determined based on trail use and demand and weather trends. Priority Zone 1 trails are often maintained first, followed by Zone 2, 3, and 4 respectfully.

Select the Priority Zone tab below the map to check the status of those trails.

During the summer, you can view the trail sections by staging area.

Please note, distances on map may vary slightly from the trail report table. Please refer to the trail report table for most accurate distances.

Maps: Winter Trails Map | Live Grooming Trail Report | Summer Trails Map

Updated: October 23, 2020 | Print Report

Trails are dry with wet spots. Use is at your own risk.

EQUESTRIAN NOTES:

BLACKFOOT TRAIL is now open to equestrian. Trail condition beyond Field 6A access is unknown.

CLOSURES:

JJ TRAIL
GROUSE TRAIL
DON'S WAY
WAPITI TRAIL

General Information:

Be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Crossing any hazardous area is entirely at your own risk.
Be aware of natural hazards such as rocks, downed trees, flooded areas and open water may be encountered from flooding.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
If walking or jogging on winter trails, please DO NOT walk on/along the set tracks. This damages ski tracks and makes it dangerous for skiers. Please stay to the side.
Snowshoeing, dogs, and bikes are not permitted on trails that are double-track set in winter.

Trail	Length	Comments	Status
Baker Springs	1.2 km		Open
Blackfoot West (from Waskehegan Staging to Round Up trail)	13.6 km	Northwest corner of Blackfoot trail (known as J.J. trail) is closed due to beaver activity, flooding and major damage to bride. Impassible. The rest of the trail in the northwest, to Field 6A is open.	Partially Closed
Boundary	2.0 km		Open
Central Alleyway	15.2 km		Open
Cutoff	0.4 km		Open
Detour	2.1 km		Open
Don's Way	3.2 km	CLOSED due to flooding and beaver trenching.	Closed
Ed's Way	2.0 km		Open
Flattail	0.4 km		Open
Grouse	1.2 km	CLOSED due to flooding, beaver trenches and damage to the trail.	Closed
Hare	0.9 km		Open
J.J.	1.3 km	Closed due to beaver activity and flooding. Bridge is off its foundation. Sections impassible.	Closed
Lost Lake	14.9 km	May be some sections that are flooded/ice covered and there is beaver trenching between Arrowhead Lake and Meadow Shelter.	Open
Meadow	0.8 km		Open
Neon Lake	1.8 km		Open
North	3.5 km		Open
Running Dog	3.0 km		Open
Spruce Hollow	2.7 km		Open
Swan	0.5 km		Open
Wanisan	4.0 km		Open
Wapiti North (from Winter to Blackfoot trail)	1.6 km		Open
Waskehegan North (from Central Alleyway to Blackfoot Trail)	1.2 km	Culvert at Dynamite lodge recently replaced. Proceed with caution as ground is soft.	Open
Waskehegan South (Central Alleyway to Lost Lake Trail)	1.8 km		Open
Winter North (from Central Alleyway to Wapiti trail)	1.2 Km	This section of trail unmaintained.	Warning
Winter South (from Lost Lake trail to Central Alleyway)	2.4 km		Open

Updated: October 23, 2020 | Print Report

Trails are dry in most areas.

CLOSURES:

None

General Information:

Crossing any hazardous area is entirely at your own risk.
Be aware of natural hazards such as rocks, potholes, downed trees, flooded areas and open water may be encountered from flooding.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Snowmobiling:

All snowmobiling access is closed
30 cm of snow base required to open access

Trail	Length	Comments	Status
Highline	3.1 km		Open
Lost Lake	14.9 km	May be some sections that are flooded/ice covered and there is beaver trenching between Arrowhead Lake and Meadow Shelter.	Open
Middle	1.3 km		Open
Moose Link	2.4 km		Open
N.U.L. North	4.0 km		Open
Porcupine	0.5 km		Open
Push Lake	1.9 km		Open
Siksika	5.8 km		Open
Winter South (from Lost Lake trail to Central Alleyway)	2.4 km		Open

Updated: October 23, 2020 | Print Report

Trails are dry with wet spots. Use is at your own risk.

Wapiti trail is unpassable beyond the 6th km due to flooding.

CLOSURES:

TIE-IN

Equestrian notes:

All equestrian trails from Central staging area CLOSED to equestrian use, with the exception of:
- CENTRAL ALLEYWAY
- N.U.L. ROADS
- OPEN PASUTRES/FIELDS

General Information:

Be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Crossing any hazardous area is entirely at your own risk.
Be aware of natural hazards such as rocks, downed trees, flooded areas and open water may be encountered from flooding.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
If walking or jogging on winter trails, please DO NOT walk on/along the set tracks. This damages ski tracks and makes it dangerous for skiers. Please stay to the side.
Snowshoeing, dogs, and bikes are not permitted on trails that are double-track set in winter.

Trail	Length	Comments	Status
Baker Springs	1.2 km		Open
Beaver	3.3 km	Section of trail is under construction. A large excavated area exists	Open
Central Alleyway	15.2 km		Open
Cutoff	0.4 km		Open
Long Run	26 Km		Open
N.U.L. Cycling Connector	2.7 km		Open
N.U.L. East	4.5 km		Open
N.U.L. North	4.0 km		Open
N.U.L. West	2.9 km		Open
Round Up	5.2 km		Open
Running Dog	3.0 km		Open
Swan	0.5 km		Open
Tie-In	1.0 km		Closed
Wapiti South (from Central to Winter trail)	6.5 km	Trail is not passable beyond the 6th km from Central Staging Area.	Warning

Updated: October 23, 2020 | Print Report

Lamont County has restricted traffic along the main access road - range road 195 - from HWY 16 south to Blackfoot Staging Area. County ban information can be found HERE.

The staging area will remain open for access and use but will be closed to heavy truck and trailer access.
A 50% weight restriction has been placed on the road. This means smaller passenger vehicles are permitted, however heavy trucks & horse trailers are not permitted on RGE RD 195.

TRAILS ARE WET IN THIS AREA. Use at own risk.

Trail	Length	Comments	Status
Blackfoot East (from Blackfoot Lake Staging to Round Up trail)	11.2 Km	Section of trail starting at staging area has deep water. Cross only at your own risk.	Warning / Wet
Buck Run	2.0 km		Open
Central Alleyway	15.2 km		Open
Elkhorn	1.6 km		Open
Faraway East	6.2 km	Use caution at start of trail from Blackfoot Staging area. Deep swamp may be difficult to pass through.	Open
Faraway West	1.3 Km	Closed due to extreme flooding.	Closed
Gas Line	0.3 km		Open
Heron Hollow	2.5 km		Open
Long Run	26 Km		Open
Morningside	2.1 km		Open
Muskrat	1.1 km		Open
N.U.L. East	4.5 km		Open
N.U.L. West	2.9 km		Open
Norris Ridge	1.5 km	Closed due to extreme flooding.	Closed
Outlet	0.3 km		Open
Springs	2.0 km	Closed due to extreme flooding.	Closed
Wellsite	1.1 km		Open
Whitetail	3.1 km		Open

Trail Report

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot PRA

How to Use the Trails