Winter camping / snow shelter building (near Calgary) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Simon96Taco · 12-18-2013, 01:08 PM

Wondering if any CP'ers like to get out camping in the winter, particularly ones that like to build their own snow shelters (I like to build a quinzhee) ?

I'm looking for tips/advice for places to go do such a thing for a night this weekend. There should be PLENTY of snow this year!

In years past I've gone out to a few places:

Mclean Creek - Pros include close by, open in winter, fire pits ready made etc. Cons are that the gate into the "free zone" is closed after Dec 1st, meaning you have to stick to the paid area. I don't mind paying at all, the issue is the snowplows that push up all the soft snow into hard banks, and make it impossible to shovel enough fresh snow to build a quinzhee. I'd probably have to bring a tent. It's also hard, (actually, impossible) to gather firewood in the paid camping area.
Ice-fishing lakes (like Pine Coulee) - Pros are the nice flat surface with more snow than anyone would ever wish for to build a quinzhee. Can also ice-fish right outside your door (or even inside!) if you're so inclinded. Cons are that you're not really supposed to sleep out on them, no shelter from the wind, and no firewood available.
Private Land - I have access to some which is close by...it's just not very "camping" feeling...bit too close to the city, but good for the snow situation.

Any suggestions?

I don't have a quad or snowmobile (but do have a stock 4x4 4runner), so I can't go TOO far off the beaten track, but am willing to put in some work if necessary.

Thanks!
S

Robotic · 12-18-2013, 09:49 PM

Buddies of mine go out to Mclean Creek and sleep in their Jeep. Not sure if that what your after as its not a snow shelter situation. Its just a beer fest, 4x4'ing in the woods drunk, and pass out in a sleeping bad in the back of your Jeep kinda thing.

jayswin · 12-18-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robotic

Buddies of mine go out to Mclean Creek and sleep in their Jeep. Not sure if that what your after as its not a snow shelter situation. Its just a beer fest, 4x4'ing in the woods drunk, and pass out in a sleeping bad in the back of your Jeep kinda thing.

What's the cop presence like out there in the winter? Do they pretty much have free reign and don't have to look out for anything, or do the cops still regularly drive around and check **** out during the winter?

J epworth · 12-18-2013, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

What's the cop presence like out there in the winter? Do they pretty much have free reign and don't have to look out for anything, or do the cops still regularly drive around and check **** out during the winter?

You're building a murder quinzhee, admit it...

pylon · 12-19-2013, 01:27 AM

http://www.nfb.ca/film/How_to_Build_...mp-share-panel

Now I wanna go build an igloo.

worth · 12-19-2013, 03:02 AM

Holy man...elementary school all over again.

Robotic · 12-19-2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

What's the cop presence like out there in the winter? Do they pretty much have free reign and don't have to look out for anything, or do the cops still regularly drive around and check **** out during the winter?

Don’t see many people as we get to some hard to reach places. You'll see the odd couple on snowmobiles, but that’s about it.

Ducay · 12-19-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robotic

Buddies of mine go out to Mclean Creek and sleep in their Jeep. Not sure if that what your after as its not a snow shelter situation. Its just a beer fest, 4x4'ing in the woods drunk, and pass out in a sleeping bad in the back of your Jeep kinda thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robotic

Don’t see many people as we get to some hard to reach places. You'll see the odd couple on snowmobiles, but that’s about it.

I love CP. Guy discusses driving drunk? Not a peep.

Guy wants to return a DVD to Walmart? All hell breaks loose.

Hevishot · 12-19-2013, 08:41 AM

Maclean Creek is closed to Dirtbikes and Trucks but not ATVs and side by sides (utvs) until April 30. If you are caught with a truck out on the trail expect a 300.00 ticket or more depending on the wardens mood. You can obtain a fancy authorized vehicle placard if you are doing trail work and such but the deadline was end of November.

Simon96Taco · 12-19-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robotic

Buddies of mine go out to Mclean Creek and sleep in their Jeep. Not sure if that what your after as its not a snow shelter situation. Its just a beer fest, 4x4'ing in the woods drunk, and pass out in a sleeping bad in the back of your Jeep kinda thing.

Yeah, not exactly what I'm looking for. I can sleep in the runner, sure, but I'm keen to build a snow shelter. So are the couple of guys coming along. The beerfest is a given.

As Hevishot mentioned also, the trails are closed to full sized vehicles. I don't have a quad or other that would be allowed out on the trails.

I'm thinking of heading out to Waiparous instead, which I believe is open year round. I am not at ALL familiar with the area, having only been out there once or twice, ten years ago, but I'm hoping to find a decent spot to shovel some snow into a pile with available firewood nearby.

Wish me luck!

Hevishot · 12-19-2013, 10:36 AM

Park at the Wiaporous gravel pit or fallen timber campground hike in about 0.5km and start digging. Atleast your vehicle will be semi safe.

undercoverbrother · 12-19-2013, 10:39 AM

I have done it before on the walk up to Turbine Canyon. The trail is empty and we just located a good site and had at er.

Simon96Taco · 12-19-2013, 03:37 PM

Thank you both for the suggestions.

It looks like we're headed to Waiparous.

What do you mean by "at least your vehicle will be semi safe" ...........?

I'll report back with how it went!

S

Hevishot · 12-19-2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon96Taco

Thank you both for the suggestions.

It looks like we're headed to Waiparous.

What do you mean by "at least your vehicle will be semi safe" ...........?

I'll report back with how it went!

S

At the first staging area there have been a few smash and grabs of change and gear out of peoples vehicles. Also occured once at the paved loop at Maclean Creek.

Simon96Taco · 12-19-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hevishot

At the first staging area there have been a few smash and grabs of change and gear out of peoples vehicles. Also occured once at the paved loop at Maclean Creek.

Oh that really sucks

I'd like to keep the vehicle close by if possible...maybe I'll try and continue up the road further in the 4runner, or take it down a side road somewhere that I camp directly next to? Not being familiar with the area, I'm not sure if that's going to be possible. I think it will partially depend upon how much snow is/isn't on the roads.

S

ken0042 · 12-19-2013, 05:12 PM

When looking for spring camping I had looked into Fisher Creek. There was a huge parking area and then a bunch of campsites with a dozen or so metres. So something that could allow you to build your own quinzhee, but still be close enough to the vehicle in case you need to.

Google maps did show the highway as being closed, but when we went it was closed just after the campground entrance.

Hevishot · 12-19-2013, 06:46 PM

Fisher Creek is open all year and there is a self registration booth. It sucks because you have to take the back highway to get to it. A few of the sites are nice but some are really buggered from the flood. The gate into the Maclean Creek FLUZ is locked until April 30. You can go through the staging area and up the logging road/truck trail and on the right hand side you can technically free camp. Its pretty level and big enough for multiple people to camp up there if need be.

Simon96Taco · 12-19-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

When looking for spring camping I had looked into Fisher Creek. There was a huge parking area and then a bunch of campsites with a dozen or so metres. So something that could allow you to build your own quinzhee, but still be close enough to the vehicle in case you need to.

Google maps did show the highway as being closed, but when we went it was closed just after the campground entrance.

Did you access Fisher Creek from the north (i.e. did you drive south from the Mclean Creek entrance), or did you drive up somewhere from the south, like from Millarville or something?

Hevishot · 12-19-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon96Taco

Did you access Fisher Creek from the north (i.e. did you drive south from the Mclean Creek entrance), or did you drive up somewhere from the south, like from Millarville or something?

You will have to go from Millarville. Or from the Bragg Creek turnoff go left than first right and follow that highway past all the nice houses and than turn right back onto the Millarville highway.

Simon96Taco · 12-20-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hevishot

Fisher Creek is open all year and there is a self registration booth. It sucks because you have to take the back highway to get to it. A few of the sites are nice but some are really buggered from the flood. The gate into the Maclean Creek FLUZ is locked until April 30. You can go through the staging area and up the logging road/truck trail and on the right hand side you can technically free camp. Its pretty level and big enough for multiple people to camp up there if need be.

I think it's making sense now. I thought only OHV's were allowed through the staging area at this time of year though?