Parks Canada is considering a new project to get backcountry hikers over the turbulent waters of Simon Creek and on their way to Athabasca Pass Historic Site.
While the notion of a new bridge—donated by trail users at no cost to the federal agency—was rebuffed three times by Jasper National Park’s highest office, a new idea has captured the agency’s attention.
The concept is a 100 metre long flying fox—or zip line. Proposed by the ACC at Parks Canada’s annual public forum, the zipline idea has created a big buzz around the agency’s Visitor Experience booth and now it’s moving toward an environmental impact study, according to spokesperson Juniper Verbraggin.
The notion was tossed out as something of a lark, said of the Jasper/Hinton Section of the Acrobatics Club of Canada. But Jasper National Park Superintendent Alun Fair seemed to like the idea of the low impact, high-amusement idea that would get trail users off his back, and into the backcountry.
“A zipline would be much cheaper than a bridge, and way more fun,” he mused. “The only problem would be getting horses across.”
He said that if the zipline gets the green light, the challenge of the equestrian crossing would be approached in due time.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there…er…well, you know what I mean,” he said.
The results of the environmental impact study should be known by next … April Fools!
Hope you enjoyed the joke! For trail users who are interested in a more serious effort to restore Jasper National Park’s backcountry assets, check out savethetrails.ca
