The Friends of Kananaskis Chester-Sawmill trail project is underway! We’re in the 2nd year of work to re-open old winter trails in the Chester-Sawmill trail system that will be used as snowshoe, ski, and winter (fat) biking trails.
If you’re not familiar with these trails, they run roughly north-south between the Chester and the Sawmill day-use areas on the Smith-Dorrien Trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The region receives abundant snowfall every winter yet has suffered from a lack of attention in recent years, overshadowed by the ever-popular Chester Lake trails, which see winter use by backcountry and nordic skiers, as well as legions of snowshoers.
Some work was done to repair some 2013 flood damage at the Sawmill end, and there has also been the recent build of the new High Rockies trail, which bisects the Chester-Sawmill trail system. August 25 was our first day at the project this year and we’ll be back at it for the next few weekends. Sign up and join a trail day on Sept 8, 9, 15 or 16 for some trimming, brushing and removing deadfall and experience the amazing before-and-after trail transformation right before your eyes!