A recent storm that knocked out power in Jasper for hours also wreaked havoc with local trails, knocking down trees across the valley. More than 100 trees were felled by high winds in the Valley of the Five Lakes, as several fell across the busy trail. Hikers and cyclists were forced to go off trail in parts, or climb over several large trees.

Two trail crews were busy on Sept. 8 cleaning up the fallen trees on the Valley of the Five Lakes and the Overlander trails. Six members worked throughout the day to clean up the fallen debris on two of the park’s busier trails. Despite the fallen trees, the Valley of the Five Lakes trail was quite busy.

Parks did not hear many complaints about the fallen trees.

“We do regular checks in high use areas and respond to the public,” said Sean Nardella, spokesman for Jasper National Park.

Trail crews prioritize what areas need the most attention. It took a week for crews to get to the Valley of the Five Lakes trail. Trail crews have also been assisting firefighters battling the Mount Cumnock blaze, which nearly reached 1000 acres in size last week.