A black bear damaged and entered an unoccupied tent in the Quaite Creek area of Kananaskis Country, prompting Alberta Parks to close part of the trail system and the Quaite Valley Backcountry Campground.
The closure has been in effect since Monday, but it was not listed on the Alberta Parks website until Tuesday. It affects the Quaite Creek Trail from the junction with Razor’s Edge near the Trans-Canada Highway to the McConnell Ridge Route junction. The campground and surrounding area are closed until further notice.
Razor’s Edge and Jewell Pass trails remain open.
The closure follows multiple wildlife advisories already in effect across the Kananaskis Region, where bear and cougar activity is common at this time of year.
On May 8, Alberta Parks issued a warning for the Kananaskis Country Golf Course and Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, citing black and grizzly bear sightings.
A bear-related closure has been in place since May 14 for the Rockwall Trail and the meadow surrounding the Peter Lougheed Discovery and Information Centre due to repeated bear activity.
On May 30, a cougar advisory was issued for the Gunnery Mountain area after two hikers reported being followed. The warning applies to Gunnery Mountain, Gunnery Creek Trail, and the Highwood Compound Provincial Recreation Area.
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In all cases, Alberta Parks is reminding visitors that wildlife encounters can happen anywhere in the region and at any time.
To stay safe, visitors should:
– Make noise and travel in groups
– Stay alert and watch for animal signs
– Keep pets leashed
– Carry bear spray, ensure it is accessible, and know how to use it
"Cougars can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region and at any time," Alberta Parks stated in the Gunnery Mountain advisory.
All wildlife sightings should be reported to 403-591-7755.
Alberta Parks has also extended the seasonal vehicle closure of Highwood Pass to support security measures for the upcoming G7 Summit.
Highway 40 South, which normally reopens to vehicles June 15, will remain closed until June 21.
"From June 1–20, there will be no cyclist or pedestrian access from the north," Alberta Parks said. "During those dates, cyclists and pedestrians will still have limited access via the south and will be turned around just north of the Ptarmigan Cirque parking lot."
Travellers should expect increased security presence and signage marking closure points.
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