Hikes posing health risk as many look to escape COVID

CALGARY (CityNews) – As health officials recommend staying close to home this summer, many Albertans have taken to exploring the Rocky Mountains.

But it’s now posing a threat to public health.

“It could be stressful if all of a sudden, you’re passing somebody every 30 seconds because some of the trails are really narrow,” said Richard Campbell, founder of 10Adventures.

A tweet with a picture taken May 16 shows masses of people heading west.

https://twitter.com/collenbe/status/1261713133959172097

A couple of months later, it’s a similar sight on weekends.

“Trails are getting really busy,” said Campbell. “So often when you go out, you’ll notice parking lots are getting really full. They’re overflowing onto the roads and there’s just a lot of people out.”

The tourism company 10Adventures brings people closer to nature with guides, tips and tourism info. Campbell says when hiking, people must stay aware of COVID-19 and social distancing.

“Not sharing water bottles and food. A lot of people are carpooling again so that puts you in an enclosed space,” he said. “They do recommend wearing a mask if you’re going to get within six feet of somebody else.”

Canadians can use AllTrails to determine hiking spots and notify other hikers of potential issues on a hike, such as the volume of people using the trails.

“Anything around Lake Louise has always been popular,” said Campbell. “So Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise, and Kananaskis area, and the area around Canmore become more popular.”

 

While the Rockies offer spectacular views, it might be best to avoid busy areas – especially on weekends – and try out some lesser-known spots, some even closer to home.

Finding new trails to explore can be as easy as googling ‘hiking in Calgary’.

“You can find trails that aren’t as busy, so for example the Smith-Dorrien Highway runs parallel to Kananaskis, going into Kootenay National Park, you’ll find the trails are less busy there,” said Campbell. “Going down to Castle Provincial Park, two hours south of Calgary, it’s very quiet there.”

Campbell echoes what Alberta’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw has said, urging those heading to the mountains to have a back-up plan if the trails are too busy.

Doing some research to find out how wide the trail is will also help to maintain safety.

“Trails in the Canadian Rockies can range from fire roads, which allow for great social distancing, down to really narrow mountain paths, so you should be aware of what type of trail you’re going on,” added Campbell.