Please be advised that Alberta Parks is closing Yamnuska / Îyâ Mnathka this summer from the end of May to November. Trail crews will be on-site upgrading sanctioned trail sections, constructing new sections and decommissioning non-sanctioned routes.

To support trail construction activities, Alberta Parks is closing all access to the mountain for the following reasons:

• To reduce danger to hikers, scramblers and climbers as contractors work on the mountain by moving heavy equipment around sloped terrain, long-lining heavy helicopter loads, and dislodging rocks.
• Vice versa, the contractor needs to be safe from members of the public moving around the mountain potentially dislodging rocks that quickly become dangerous projectiles downslope.
• The contractor needs to be able to work efficiently without keeping track of the public in the area.

Visitors looking for alternatives can call the Kananaskis Information Line at 1-403-678-0760 or stop by any Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre.

Please be advised that there will construction and BLASTING activities to support the Cougar Creek Flood Project. To ensure visitor safety around the construction site, Alberta Parks is closing the access to Cougar Creek canyon for all recreational uses. In addition, the Lady MacDonald Trail will be closed during blasting. 

The area closure will include:

• Cougar Creek Canyon from the junction of Montane Trail and Lady MacDonald Trail upstream for approximately 1 km.
• Lady MacDonald Trail is CLOSED.
• Montane Trail and Horseshoe Trail are OPEN.

Please follow direction on construction signage and fencing.

The closure will be effective: August 4, 2020 until further notice.

Visitors looking for alternatives to Cougar Creek canyon may consider Ha Ling, Grassi Lakes, Heart Creek or Grotto Canyon.

• Effective Date: June 10, 2020 until further notice
• Where: Heart Creek drainage, including informal parking for Heart Creek hikes in the Highway 1 ditch
• Why: Be advised that the Municipal District of Bighorn has begun construction of a flood mitigation project on Heart Creek upstream of Highway 1.

The informal parking in the Highway 1 ditch for access to Heart Creek is not available at this time. Recreational users accessing Heart Creek, Heart Mountain and the Quaite Valley connector trail must park in the Heart Creek Day Use Area.