GD Canada Map D. Elk River Rd. Wildfire Closure. 8/25/23

[ntaylor]

North of Round Prairie, the Mt. Bingay Wildfire has closed Elk River Rd. Here is the closure order and where to check for status updates: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/area-restriction-in-effect-for-mount-bingay-wildfire/

This is a tough detour since the Elk Valley has few southbound linkages into it if Elk Pass must be avoided. One thing is for certain: don't proceed southbound over Elk Pass until you are certain the closure has been lifted. Otherwise a rider could be stranded on the south side of Elk Pass.

A communications staff person at Regional District of East Kootenay, who also happens to organize a mtb event in the area, has suggested the following detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44200652

Southbound riders would leave main GD Canada route at the junction of Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Rd. and Kananaskis Lakes Tr. in Lougheed Provincial Park, and follow PR 40 over Highwood Pass south to Coleman, then west on Crowsnest Hwy/PR 3 to Sparwood to rejoin the main route. This detour will increase overall mileage, is on a mix of paved/unpaved roads, and has virtually no services between Kananaskis Lakes area and Coleman, a distance of about 100 mi. Coleman is an all service town.

Nathan
ACA

[BillBekay]

Thank you for the information. Is it possible, as an alternative to the proposed detour, to follow Allison Creek Road and Dutch Creek Road (Between Hwy3 /Crowsnest Highway and Dutch Creek Recreation Area)?

[ntaylor]

Follow-up: This closure on Elk River Rd. has been lifted.

Nathan
ACA