Northeastern Kananaskis Gets a Facelift

Long the unloved part of Kananaskis, despite their popularity, The Elbow Valley and West Bragg Creek in Kananaskis have been the beneficiaries of investment and some major upgrades. Part of that is due to the repairs required to restore the damage done by the 2013 flood; part due to an enhanced trail system and a surge in visitor traffic.

The Provincial Recreation Areas at Allen Bill, Fullerton Loop, River Cove, Elbow Falls, Cobble Flats, Forgetmenot Pond, the Little Elbow Trail and West Bragg Creek will, by the end of October, 2017, have been reborn. The biggest project was the new parking lot, landscaping and facilities at the West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area. Seriously inadequate parking for 100 cars, now accommodates almost 500, with pavement and slot lines.

Allen Bill appears to be getting a lot of attention, but the dam and the pond upstream from the dam are gone. Another major upgrade is Cobble Flats, with a new paved access road, paved pathways and loads of picnic tables. It appears the administration is trying to encourage family picnics there over Elbow Falls which will have few tables and a bare minimum of pathways. I say that because it will always be a popular destination for visitors.

The other important notable event of 2017 was the threat of wildfire and the ever-present smoke from the fires in British Columbia. At one point I heard they planned to close Kananaskis due to the risk of wildfire. It’s also important to note, there is a bear warning for the area. Carry bear spray.

Moving forward, we now have excellent facilities to enjoy all of the wonderful experiences available in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Read the details of the plans behind these upgrades

Allen Bill, Fullerton Loop and River Cove Upgrades

• The Elbow River Shoreline is Being Improved

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• Machines and Equipment used to upgrade Allen Bill

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• Allen Bill Parking Lot is Closed During Upgrade

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• There Are Two Toilets - This is the Far End

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• A New Trail is in the Works. Most Trails are Paved - Accessible

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/allen_trail.jpg
  

• The New, Enlarged Fullerton Loop Parking Lot

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/fullerton_parking.jpg
  

• Fullerton Loop Facilities

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/fullerton_toilet.jpg
  

• River Cove Group Campground has Been Restored

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rivercove_entry.jpg
  

• The Old Road was Destroyed. The New Entry to the Campground

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/rivercove_road.jpg
  

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Elbow Falls Upgrades

• There once was a river here, now it's way over there

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• Wrecked Trails are being Replaced, but not Picnic Tables

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• The River at the Upper End of the Rec Area

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_river.jpg
  

• A Work in Progress

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_sign.jpg
  

• All the upgrades feature large piles of dirt

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_dirt.jpg
  

• A new trail (paved?) is being built parallel to the parking lot

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_hightrail.jpg
  

• The Upper End of the Lower Trail, Near the River

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_lowtrail.jpg
  

• Access to trails is limited

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_toilet.jpg
  

• The Shoreline is Being Restored, but there isn't much river left there

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/elbow_shore.jpg
  

• These Machines are Smaller Than the Allen Bill Equipment (a smaller project?)

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Cobble Flats Upgrades

• Cobble Flats Will Change, but this bridge will still be there

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cobble_bridge.jpg
  

• Access to Cobble Flats has been closed during the upgrade

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cobble_entry.jpg
  

• Cobble Flats from the Road

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• More big machines working here as well

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cobble_machine.jpg
  

• Cobble Flats will be popular for picnics. Great mountain views

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cobble_road.jpg
  

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West Bragg Creek Upgrades

• Cars, Horses, Dogs, People, Bikes and Cows all come together in the Parking Lot

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wbc_horses.jpg
  

• Parking for 485 cars

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wbc_parking.jpg
  

• Trails Association Office/Info Centre and anothe toilet (I think there are three)

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wbc_facilities.jpg
  

• Horse Trailers have their own Parking Lot

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wbc_horsetrailer.jpg
  

• The Equipment Enclosure

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wbc_enclosure.jpg
  

• New toilets, new bear-proof bins and new signage

  https://braggcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wbc_toilet.jpg
  

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