Dear editor,
The Fitzhugh recently published an article about wildland trails appearing on a popular mobile app. On behalf of the working group of the Jasper Trails Project (2005-2008) and more recently the Japer Trail Alliance (JTA), I’d like to clarify and illuminate the facts, the whys, and the rationale behind the conception and subsequent birth of wildland trails in Jasper National Park (JNP).
Paul Clarke wrote “despite being adopted as official trails, Parks Canada decided it didn’t want to formally promote them and opted not to include them on maps. According to Loni Klettl, Parks didn’t want to publicly advertise the trails because it didn’t want to have to maintain them.” When being interviewed for an article, one has little confidence that all your words will be printed. In this case, I forgot to include a large and important chunk of wildland history. For wildland trails’ sake, I’m setting the record straight.
The Jasper Trails Plan was approved in 2009. The wildland trails and subsequent management were created to define the wildland trail classification, and are unique to JNP. Wildland trails are generally narrower, provide the greatest degree of challenge or technical options, offer solitude, aid in keeping users happy on the official trail system, provide a unique trail experience and contribute to trail system connectivity. Use is to be kept low to maintain the character of the trail and to protect high quality wildlife habitat, which several wildland trails bisect (Ganges, Whistler Shoulder). They are to be maintained by certified JTA and Jasper Park Cycling Association (JPCA) volunteers, and, back then, the community requested that the trails not be publicized. These are the terms that sealed the deal, meaning official, but not on maps.
Fast forward to 2016. Time and technology instigated Google Maps, Strava, and Trailforks, which dominate a user’s conscience, motivates and influences trail choices and decisions. From the side of a trail one can find the route, order pizza, check the weather and order from Amazon. Gone are the days of bribing the bartender, cajoling the bike mechanic or sweet-talking the waitress for a hand drawn map of the “secret trails.”
Parks Canada has the final say, but it will be up to us, the users, to appreciate and respect the history, which influenced the rationale. Discover your own wild spirit whether its technology or dabbling with exploration and sweet-talking. Either way, strive to preserve aspects of the original premise, while grasping the realization that there is also an inevitable evolution. Wildland trails, as they are, are a really good thing.
Loni Klettl
Jasper Trail Alliance
