A cougar warning is now in effect for the Ole Buck Mountain area following multiple sightings reported on the trail system.
The advisory, issued Friday by Alberta Parks, applies to Ole Buck Mountain, the Ole Buck Loop Trail, and the Sibbald Lake area, including the campground and day use zones.
“Although an advisory is in place for this area, cougars can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region and at any time,” Alberta Parks stated.
Visitors are advised to travel in groups, make noise on the trail, keep pets leashed and remain alert for signs of predators. Cougar sightings should be reported immediately to 403-591-7755.
Bear feeding prompts closure on Peter Lougheed trail section
A separate grizzly bear closure is in place starting June 14 for a portion of the Peter Lougheed Paved Trail between Lower Lake Campground and Sarrail Campground.
Alberta Parks said the order was issued after a grizzly bear was spotted feeding on a carcass in the area.
Affected areas include the Lower Lake Trail, Lower Lake Day Use, Lower Lake Group Use, Mount Sarrail Walk-in Tenting Campground, and portions of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
“Although an advisory is in place for this area, bears can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region at any time,” Alberta Parks noted.
Bear spray is recommended and should be carried where easily accessible. All bear sightings should be reported to 403-591-7755.
Highway 40 parking banned June 14–18 for G7 Summit security
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on June 14, roadside parking is banned along Highway 40 from the Highway 1 junction to the winter gate at the Kananaskis Lakes Trail.
The restriction, which runs through June 18, applies to all motorized vehicles. Parking is permitted only in designated Day Use areas, including:
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Barrier Dam
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Barrier Lake
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Canoe Meadows
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Galatea
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Grizzly Creek
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Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre
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King Creek
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Old Baldy Pass Trail
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Opal
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Wasootch
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Widowmaker
In a June 10 news release, the RCMP-led Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) said the restriction is “to ensure the safety of internationally protected persons, summit participants and for the safe movement of police vehicles working along the corridor.”
RCMP will staff accreditation checkpoints on Highway 40 and “remind motorists of the restrictions as they travel through the Kananaskis Valley.”
The ISSG stated that “no monetary fines” will be issued, but that “any motorized vehicles parked in the restricted area may be subject to removal and then secured in a location where they can be safely returned to the owner at the cost of impound fees.”
The restriction is being enforced under Section 43 of Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act in coordination with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors.
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