Volunteers help clear wind-toppled trees on popular trails near Bragg Creek, Alta. - Action News
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Volunteers help clear wind-toppled trees on popular trails near Bragg Creek, Alta.

A windstorm that knocked down over 1,000 trees and scattered forest debris in a recreational area near Bragg Creek, Alta., has prompted volunteers to lend a hand in the cleanup.

Windstorm felled more than 1,000 trees in the West Bragg Creek trail system

Work cut out for Bragg Creek Trail clean up crews after severe wind storm

3 years ago
Duration 2:43
A wind storm Dec. 1 blew down more than a thousand trees on the Bragg Creek Trail system. It will likely take weeks for volunteers and parks crews to clean up the destruction, but they're taking it one trail at a time.

A windstorm that knocked down over 1,000 trees and scattered forest debris in a recreational area near Bragg Creek, Alta., has prompted volunteers to lend a hand in the cleanup.

The group, Bragg Creek Trails, teamed up with crews from Alberta Environment and Parks to clearthe West Bragg Creek trail system this week.

And after a few days of using axes, saws and lots of elbow grease, they've made a lot of progress cutting up and removing the large trees.

Conrad Schiebel,president of Bragg Creek Trails, says some sections have already been completely cleared, including most ski trails.

Conrad Schiebel, president of Bragg Creek Trails, says several sections are still covered with toppled trees. (Dave Gilson/CBC)

"When we came out to the trails, we were just overwhelmed by the amount of damage that had occurred out here on the trail system. So we estimate, having done a reconnaissance,that there's probably in the neighbourhood of a thousand trees down across the trail network," he said.

He describes the scene as looking like a "bomb went off."

"We're seeing 100-year-old trees that have come down that we've very seldom seen before," he said.

The small crew has worked on cutting up and removing the large trees from a hillside trail. (Dave Gilson/CBC)

"We've been working on getting those cleared with Environment and Parks staff as well, to help us out to start getting the trails cleared and safe again."

Damage to the area is still being assessed and it's unclear how long the cleanup will take, saysSchiebel.

"We're trying to open just one trail up at a time."

It's estimated the storm toppled more than a thousand trees along the West Bragg Creek trail system. (Dave Gilson/CBC)

Steven Burgoyne uses the trails a couple of times a month for cross-country skiing, among other activities. He says he appreciates the effort of those working hard to clean up and remove the fallen trees.

"What's been cleared looks like a lot of work," he said.

"These trails are invaluable so I think it's important to maintain them, and I'm quite grateful for the volunteers who come out and do that job."

For those looking for updates on when they can start using certain trails,the group'swebsite provides regular updates.

Those using the trails are being told to be careful when going into the area, especially in uncleared sections. (Dave Gilson/CBC)

With files from Dave Gilson