July 20/14 - AB Fire Ban in Crowsnest & Not on BC side

Well hello gang! Its been a while but there isn't much weather that isn't good for quadding so it seems mute to report much. Weather has been smoking hot hitting +32 last week but this week is a nicer +23 with a slight breeze to keep you happy. Riding in the trees is cool and relaxing temperature wise. SO we have had questions about the fires and bans etc. Kelowna has a fire going and we have been getting some smoky days on and off and Banff had a lightning strike in a control burn area so they let it burn under control. We hadn't had any fire bans until the 18th when the Municipality of Crowsnest decided to have a fire ban so no open camp fires. But the BC side in the Southeast region is permitting open camp fires. So we can have campfires here and also on the BC side of the border. In both situations though, propane fuelled appliances are acceptable. Please use extreme caution when having fires of any kind. Contain them and keep them small. Put them out with lots and lots of water not just a couple of glass fulls. Stir it around and make sure all the coals are soaked. If you want more info then go to www.albertafirebans.ca or www.http://bcwildfire.ca/hprscripts/wildfirenews/bans.asp Fire bans get turned on and off without much notice so please check the websites before having a fire. The quadding is a bit dusty in spots but clear everywhere and the fishing is good in the mornings down at Summit and Island Lakes. Plan to BBQ still if you wish. Fingers crossed we get some nightly little showers to settle everything down a bit. Cheers - V

Jun 20/14 - +19 Sunny & Drying quickly

It is a beauty day here on the Divide. We made it through the 3 days of rain and flood alerts and now the sun is out and the guys said that up higher they even ran into a bit of dust on the trails! Thank you to everyone who checked in on us - your concern was much appreciated! We have a nice breeze but nothing gusty. Curt and Tyler and Cooper are going to head out on the trails tomorrow so we will have some trail photos. Here is the Summit Log Cabin and the trail out the gate. Weather looks good for the entire weekend! We have the Divide cabin and the Summit Log cabin open July 10th weekend and then we had a cancellation for the Summit Log cabin for the July 17th weekend. Our prices are $189/night based on double occupancy for a minimum of two nights and $15 per additional person. If you stay 4 nights then we only charge a flat rate of $189/night and no charge for additional people to the cabin max. Our prices are increasing for bookings November 1st fwd to $199/night with the same arrangements as the input costs of propane almost doubled this year among gas/diesel prices, insurance etc but we know that riding from your cabin door and being free to walk/quad down to the lake to fish and bbq what you caught or hunted while the kids roast marshmallows is a better experience than a hotel room in the city for more right!! Have a tow rope for creek crossing misfires and check out www.quadsquad.ca and support the club that keeps riding areas open! Cheers - V

June 18/14 - Weathering the Weather Just Fine

Morning, I would send photos but they look just like the ones I posted last. We had heavy rainfall last night but it quit around 3am. Everything is fine but the creek is definitely up and rolling hard and fast. We have one more night of possible rain but we have had the lightest touch from this storm with Pincher getting hit with hard rain yesterday per notes from friends. I hope everyone down stream is having a better time of it than last year. One more night to go in the warning and then Thurs is supposed to get to temps of +20 and mostly sun with sun and hot temps all through to and including the weekend. We have the Divide Cabin open if you want to get out and enjoy the trails and sun this weekend! Cheers - V

June 17/14 - Flood Alerts but All looks Good Instead!

Good Afternoon! Well Elk Valley and Crowsnest and Pincher among other areas were put into a flood alert on Environment Canada and it has been raining steadily since yesterday afternoon but its supposed to rain til Wed middle of the night and then the sun comes out everywhere Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun etc. Temps will go from +6 to +20 by Sunday. The rain hasn't been as heavy as first thought and the creeks are managing it readily. Your trails for the weekend will be greasy and wet but that is better than dusty for most! Creek crossings will be higher and care must be taken when considering routes with creeks ie: Trail of Seven Bridges.(no bridges!). Just thought I would check in with everyone and let them know that so far we are doing just fine and looking forward to Thursday. Cheers - V

June 5/14 - Grouchy Griz

I went up to open up the cabins this morning as we are full this weekend and this guy and I just missed each other....I walked in the front door and Sommer looked out the back window and said ahhhh...Mom...there's a bear in the back yard. Sure enough a Grizzly was eating the lush grass back there by our fire pit just off the deck. Curt gave him a yell and he gave Curt the..."ya whatever - get lost buddy" posture and went back to eating. So Curt pulled out the shot gun and let off 4 shots which only got him to casually walk back up the yard and into the creek. Not the usual response. So....one...you can be very close to a bear and not know it....two...if they don't scare off easily you have a problem...three...do not kill one without extreme cause as it is a huge fine and possible jail time - so be proactive when out on the trails and try to avoid encounters. Weather is supposed to be a bit rainy tomorrow but then beautiful at around +20 to +23 Sat and Sun. Join the Quad Squad out here and help support the volunteers in their efforts to keep areas and trails open..go to www.quadsquad.ca - Cheers - V

May 19/14 - Guests had lots of mud & fun

Morning, our guests have checked out and I got it wrong - they didn't go over McCool Pass they went over Tent Mtn Pass aka B Road. Yesterday they went up Trail of 7 Bridges and they said that was the best part of the whole trip and they had a blast daily. They came back thoroughly covered in slurry. We had rain on and off but mostly at night and yesterday was sunny for the most part of they day. Today is overcast and +16. Supposed to be Sunny all week except for Friday that has rain forecasted and then +21 & sunny on Sat. We have this coming weekend open and now that I know you can get around I say have at it! Cheers - V

May Long Weekend/14 - Snow still above 5500

Good Morning Off Road Vehicle Enthusiasts....well its May long weekend and temps are in around the +15 here but Cooper said it was super hot at Elko Motocross track yesterday when he and Jesse took the bikes out for the day. It rained last night and this morning but it has stopped and its warming up a bit. Nice day out for getting a bit mucky. Summit lake has seen some winter kill - Eagles and Bears are getting their fill. Fish will be looking for some munchies so these cool temps should make for a bit of good fishing in some of the hot spots. We have a big crew here this weekend as you can see from the photos. We don't allow RV's unless you book the entire resort and then for a fee you can bring RVs. They made it up to the Tent Mtn gate yesterday and had to break a bit of trail. Today they are going to tackle McCool Pass to Corbin and they know they will be using the block n tackle lots and still may not make it but they are a skilled and determined bunch! Cooper and I are driving around to see Archie at Corbin from A&E Racing - I will get a few photos of the staging area. Ride safely and only on open trails. Don't muck around in the creeks or rip up on the roads/hwy - we want to keep the privileges we have and conservation agents will be out in full force to ensure those who abuse it get fined. Support your local clubs and the Quadsquad.ca - memberships are super inexpensive and they lobby on your behalf and maintain trails with volunteers. Get ready for a great season! Cheers -V