Bryant Creek and Aylmer Pass
Protecting People and Bears in Core Areas
 Printable Version (PDF, 792 KB)
© Brian Wolitski |
© Parks Canada |
Management strategies to reduce bear-human
conflicts are being updated in 2008 in the Bryant
Creek and Minnewanka areas of Banff National
Park.
These initiatives involve managing access in
2 special areas of concern during berry season.
The goals of these actions are to increase public
safety, and to minimize displacement of grizzly
bears from prime food sources at a critical time of
the year.
Improving Public Safety, and Conserving Grizzly Bears
© Parks Canada / S. Michel |
Over an eight-year period (1998 - 2005), five bear
attacks occurred in two locations in Banff
National Park - Allenby Pass near Bryant Creek,
and on the Aylmer Pass trail near Lake
Minnewanka. Both locations contain seasonally
important grizzly bear habitat. The key
attraction is an abundance of an important food
source for grizzlies – buffalo-berries. All of the
bear attacks resulted from hikers traveling alone
or in a small group, who surprised female
grizzlies with cubs along these trails during
berry season.
Since 2006, new measures have been in place to
proactively manage visitor access to smaller
selected areas where the attacks have occurred,
to both protect visitors and minimize
disturbance to bears feeding on berries. Based on
an evaluation of these management approaches
over the past two years, some minor changes
will be in effect starting in visitor season 2008.
The following will now be in effect:
Allenby Pass Restricted Access
(Bryant Area)
From August 1 – September 30,
“restricted access” will be in
effect for the Allenby Pass area
- Hikers or horse groups wishing to travel between Brewster Creek and Bryant
Creek will be allowed to travel over Allenby Pass by special permit only
during the restricted access period. Permits are available by personal appointment
at the Banff Information Centre (403) 762-1550. For hikers, permit conditions
include a minimum group size of four adults (age 16 and over), with larger
groups recommended. For horse groups, a minimum of 2 riders is required.
- The purpose of this action is to increase public safety. Hikers have surprised
bears here in late summer and been seriously injured.
- Groups with permits will not have access to other trails in the Allenby
Pass restricted area - specifically the higher-route trail to Assiniboine
Pass, the Og Pass trail, and the highline trail from Og to Allenby Pass.
These will be closed to all users during restricted access. Backcountry
visitors interested in using these trails are encouraged to plan their trip
earlier in the season.
- Br17 campground is outside of the restricted area and remains accessible.
Note: Visitors will still be able to hike to and from Assiniboine
Lodge during restricted access via the lower-route trail to Assiniboine Pass
or Wonder Pass.
Allenby Pass Restricted Access (Bryant Area)
Printable
version (PDF, 443 KB)
© Parks
Canada |
Aylmer Pass
(Minnewanka Area)
GROUP ACCESS
Buffalo-berry
©
Parks Canada |
From July 15 to September
30, group access will be
required by law for the
Aylmer Pass trail from the
Lake Minnewanka trail to the
Park boundary, including the
trail to Aylmer Lookout.
Group access means that
people must travel in a tight
group of four or more for
safety reasons. Anyone not
complying with a minimum
group size of 4 may be
charged and subject to a
court appearance and
maximum fine of $5000.
- The Lm8 campground will also be closed during this period.
- The Lake Minnewanka Lakeshore trail is not affected by group access,
and will remain open.
Aylmer Pass Trail Group Access and LM8 Campground Closure (Lake
Minnewanka Area)
Printable
version (PDF, 443 KB)
© Parks
Canada |
Core Areas: Critical Habitat for Female Grizzlies
The Bryant Creek area is one of three "core areas" for grizzly
bears in Banff National Park. Aylmer Pass is very close to another –
the Flint’s Park / Cascade area. The Lake Louise area is the third.
These core areas contain critical bear habitat, and a concentration of female
grizzlies live and raise their cubs here.
Concentrations of Female Grizzly Bears in Banff
National Park
Printable
version (PDF, 150 KB)
© Parks
Canada |
Buffalo-berries and grouse-berries are a key food source for grizzly bears.
Buffalo-berries are usually ripe from mid-July through September, followed
by grouse-berries which can last well into October. Grizzly bears on the Eastern
Slopes of the Rockies are food-stressed, and depend heavily on berries to
put on weight for hibernation. During berry season, hikers can easily surprise
bears that are preoccupied with feeding on berry bushes.
Banff National Park is committed to contributing to maintenance of a non-declining
and viable population of grizzly bears in the regional landscape, as outlined
in the Park’s Management Plan amendment: A Conservation Framework
for Grizzly Bears (2004). High female grizzly bear survival is key to sustaining
grizzly bear populations into the future. By allowing female bears and cubs
to make more efficient use of high quality habitat with fewer disturbances at
critical times of the year, these new management strategies will directly contribute
to the conservation of grizzly bears.
Staying Safe in
Critical Bear Habitat
© Parks Canada |
While all of Banff National Park is bear country, if you’re hiking in a "core area",
you’re REALLY in bear country. Here are some extra safety precautions you should
take to avoid a surprise encounter with a bear:
- Make noise…on a continuous basis to let the bears know you are coming, so they
can move off and avoid you.
- Travel in groups…we recommend larger groups of four or more, travelling tightly
together at all times.
- Each member of your party should carry bear spray, and have it readily available.
- Watch for fresh bear sign, e.g., tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs. Leave the area if the
signs are fresh.
- We recommend leaving your dogs at home. If you do bring them, they must be on a leash. Dogs will
not be allowed in the Allenby Pass Restricted Access area.
Thank you for your co-operation in promoting public safety and bear conservation in Banff Nation Park. For more
information on this or other bear management and safety measures in the park:
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