Join Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) for a variety of summer stewardship activities that are both educational and recreational. These activities are hosted by local experts and promote conservation and reclamation of the Castle Wildland and Castle Provincial Parks.
All events require registration. Please call the Leader listed for each specific activity to confirm your attendance and receive any information (start time, meeting location) relevant to that activity. This will also allow the Leader to contact you should any changes occur prior to the activity.
Do:
- Bring water and food for the day.
- Pack appropriate clothing for changing mountain weather; hat, rain gear, gloves.
- Wear appropriate/sturdy footwear.
- Bring walking poles if you prefer.
- Pack bear spray.
- Take great pictures.
- Bring a bike if it is requested.
Don’t:
- Bring dogs or other pets.
- Remove rocks, flowers, or other beautiful finds from the area.
Download the 2019 CCWC Summer Stewardship Schedule.
Activity Schedule
May 26 – Table Mountain (2230m)
Start out in a cool aspen forest, eventually reaching a gully where the climb begins. From an ascent up the south facing slope, the trail takes you to the plateau with amazing views. The summit requires a bit more hiking but it is worthwhile!
Leader: Kris Larson (403) 339-6179
Elevation gain: 810 m
Time/distance: 4.5 hrs/5 km (one way)
Rating: moderate to difficult
June 22 – Carbondale Ridge (not the lookout!)New in 2019!
Grassland hike to Carbondale Ridge above Castle Falls. Enjoy a hike and end your day with a jump into the Castle River.
Leader: Wendy Ryan (403) 627-4106
Elevation gain: 810 m
Time/distance: 4 hrs/8 km (round trip)
Rating: moderate
June 30 – Yarrow Basin (2005 m)New Hike for 2019!
Mount Yarrow is an unofficial peak on the southeast end of Spread Eagle. The beautiful valley along Yarrow Creek is filled with meadows, waterfalls, wild flowers and plenty of wildlife.
Leader: Kris Larson (403) 339-6179
Elevation gain: approx. 1000 m
Time/distance: All day/24km (return)
Rating: moderate to difficult + bike
July 7 – Barnaby Ridge, east end (2471 m)
Led by a Castle Parks Interpreter, this hike has an amazing panorama across the West Castle Valley and offers rewards of lakes, larches and views! Expect a chilly (or refreshing) river crossing above knee height and a lot of elevation gain/loss.
Leader: Sabrina Ryans, Alberta Parks (403) 707-8053
Elevation gain: 1000 m
Time/distance: 5 hrs/8 km (one way)
Rating: moderate to difficult
July 10 – Minimum Security Camp Weed Pull
This is the 4th year that CCWC supporters will help reclaim this area. Please join us to pull some weeds, have fun and meet other people interested in removing invasive species from the area.
To register, please call the CCWC office at (403) 627-5059 or Wendy Ryan at (403) 627-4106.
July 13 – Blind Canyon Basin
The trail into Blind Canyon starts at the Yarrow Creek staging area. Hike to the Roy Marshall and Bertha Echland homestead along the Blind Canyon creek.
Leader: Rob Goasdoue (587) 788-0665 or (403) 894-2297
Elevation gain: 700 m
Time: 6 hrs (return)
Rating: moderate to difficult
July 17 – Paradise Lake
Moderate mid-week hike into Castle Wildland Park for the family.
Leader: Andrea Hlady (403) 875-8442
Elevation gain: 435 m
Time/distance: 2.5 hrs/4.5 km (one way)
Rating: moderate
July 20 – Drywood Mountain (west summit)/Bovin Lake (2514 m)
Bikes will be used for the first 4 km followed by a 2-hour hike to Bovin Lake. From the lake, those feeling energetic can scramble up the south slopes of Drywood and to the west summit.
Leader: Kevin Kelly (403) 627-5128
Elevation gain: 840 m to west summit
Time/distance: 6 -9 hrs/18 km
Rating: difficult to strenuous/scramble + bike
July 22 – 12th Annual West Castle Wetlands Ecological Reserve Weed Pull
Bring a digging tool, insect repellent, water and lunch. Many hands make light work. Meet at the Castle Mountain Resort parking lot at 9:30 am and stay for treats after!
To register, please call the CCWC office at (403) 627-5059 or Wendy Ryan at (403) 627-4106.
July 28 – Victoria Mountain (2569 m)
Bike into Whitney Canyon and hike along an old horse trail. The summit (the highest peak on the Front Range) on this scramble will leave you breathless with magnificent views of Castle Peak to the west, and many peaks into the Waterton area.
Leader: Kris Larson (403) 339-6179
Elevation gain: 1,100 m
Time/distance: All day/20+ km (return)
Rating: moderate to difficult + bike
August 10 – South Fork Lakes (2040 m)
Ford the West Castle River through knee-deep water. Bring water shoes to cross in. Explore the three South Fork Lakes, enjoy stromatolites, larch covered slopes and vista views. Optional scramble up Barnaby Ridge (extra 225m elevation).
Leader: Rob Bronson (403) 978-5756.
Elevation gain: 630 m
Time/distance: 2.5 hrs/3.8 km to first lake (7 hours round trip)
Rating: moderate to difficult
August 12 – Front Canyon Reclamation Hike and Weed Pull – Blind Canyon
In conjunction with the Nature Conservancy of Canada we will, for a fourth year, complete a weed pull at the old farm site in the canyon. There will be a moderate hike of about 1.5 hours into the site. Packhorses will assist in removal of the weeds. Please bring a hand digging tool and pruners for the burdock.
To register, please call the CCWC office at (403) 627-5059 or Wendy Ryan at (403) 627-4106.
August 17 – Rainy Ridge/Middlepass Lakes (2429 m)
From Castle Mountain Ski Resort we will bike approximately 4 km, then hike several kilometers to Middle Kootenay Pass. At the Pass, it is a moderate scramble along the west ridge of Rainy, essentially following the Continental Divide to the summit. Scree slopes will take us down into BC to the larch covered shores of Middlepass Lakes.
Leader: Kevin Kelly (403) 627-5128
Elevation gain: 1000 m
Time/distance: full day/25 km
Rating: difficult to strenuous/scramble + bike
August 19 – Sartoris Road Weed Pull
This is a great way to educate yourself on the invasive plants of southwest Alberta. CCWC will be removing invasive species from the Sartoris Road area and many hands make light work! If you are a Geo-casher, there is one in this area to find. We will be working along Lynx and George Creeks and the main Sartoris road. Bring a lunch, drinking water, sun screen and insect repellent.
To register, please call the CCWC office at (403) 627-5059 or Wendy Ryan at (403) 627-4106.
August 25 – Bovin (Blue) Lake
Bovin Lake (or Blue Lake) is at the head of South Drywood Creek. Bike on a gravel road to the trailhead and then hike along an old reclaimed road to the lake, approximately 3 hours one way to the lake area. If time and energy permits, hikers could go up to the ridge that looks into the South Castle Valley.
Leader: Kris Larson (403) 339-6179
Elevation gain: 430 m
Time/distance: 8 hrs/15km (return)
Rating: moderate to difficult + bike
August 26 – West Castle Valley Weed PullNew in 2019!
This reclamation work takes place at the site of an old sawmill site that is in a big open meadow with the West Castle River running through it. The valley was heavily logged 30 years ago and invasive plants were brought in with the increased traffic and on equipment. You have the option to bike a short distance into the site.
To register, please call the CCWC office at (403) 627-5059 or Wendy Ryan at (403) 627-4106.
September 9 – Annual Great Shoreline Clean-Up
Our efforts for the Great Shoreline Clean-Up are focused on the Beaver Mines Lake. Join us as we remove trash from the lake’s shores, identify the sources of debris, and discuss ways to change the behaviors that cause people to leave this debris.
To register, please call the CCWC office at (403) 627-5059 or Wendy Ryan at (403) 627-4106.
September 12 – Suicide Creek Tarn – Yoga Hike
Join Karla Breeze of Shanti Hollow Yoga and Retreat for a hike infused with yoga! This is a moderate hike with stops in an open meadow and on the Continental Divide! The yoga is for all levels and might be a nice way to introduce you to this practice.
Leader: Karla Breeze (403) 627-7704
Elevation gain: 450 m
Time/distance: 2.5 hrs/4 km (one way)
Rating: moderate
September 22 – Whistler Lookout (2,210 m)New in 2019!
This trail winds up and eventually opens up to beautiful views to the west. You’ll visit the Lookout site on the ridge!
Leader: Kris Larson (403) 339-6179
Elevation gain: 750 m
Time/distance: Full day/15km (return)
Rating: moderate to difficult
