Opal NA (West Parcel)

Opal NA is generally broken into East and West portions. The West parcels face disturbances from ATVs and illegal firing ranges. Nevertheless, beautiful jack pine forests are there to be enjoyed.

Jack pinecones waiting for the next forest fire, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
Jack pinecones waiting for the next forest fire, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.

Opal NA is divided into four distinct parcels (see map below). A visit to Opal East exposed an interesting story in which a local gravel company is protecting the site. Unfortunately, the West parcels remain unprotected and are subject to disturbances such as ATVs and illegal firing ranges.

Fact Facts

Order in Council (Red) and Protected Notation (Grey) parcels making up the East and West portions of the Opal NA.
Order in Council (Red) and Protected Notation (Grey) parcels making up the East and West portions of the Opal NA.

Would I go back? A definitive maybe. In the fall, it may make for an interesting fat biking course. Although the ATV tracks are challenging to walk on, they do provide access into the site. Finally, only 50 KM north of Wayne Gretzky, it is a nearby resource for those wanting to get out.

Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: Overall (3 out of 5) Isolated but also torn up by ATVs. A neighbour indicated there are numerous firing ranges in the NA as well.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 50 KM
  • Trail Classification: ; Rating: 24; Access: Granted; Develop: Limited Development. ; Maint: In Disrepair or Abused; Season: All Season: Portions of the ATV are deeply gouged and therefore treacherous to walk on.
Trail Classification System with examples - YEG-Ville.
Trail Classification System with examples – YEG-Ville.
  • The Drive Out: Highway 28 is moderately busy but otherwise filled with farms and emerging housing.
  • The Other Shoe: Fat biking is a possibility when the trail is drier.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2025-02-21. Weather: Warm, snowshoes accumulated ice blocks because the area was above freezing.

(On smart phones, swipe to advance the pictures)

  • Looking N into the private farmland to access to site; permission is required, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Looking N into the private farmland to access to site; permission is required, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • Classic jack pine forest with evenly spaced trees; looking West from the Eastern boundary, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Classic jack pine forest with evenly spaced trees; looking West from the Eastern boundary, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • Braided ATV trails through the jack pine forest, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Braided ATV trails through the jack pine forest, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • Looking NW into a wet area of the parcel, taken from the Eastern border, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Looking NW into a wet area of the parcel, taken from the Eastern border, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • An example of a speed bank being carved out of the sandy soil, looking East in the NE corner of the parcel, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    An example of a speed bank being carved out of the sandy soil, looking East in the NE corner of the parcel, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • Looking East along the North border of the NA, the end of the parcel is roughly where the trees fill in the cut line, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Looking East along the North border of the NA, the end of the parcel is roughly where the trees fill in the cut line, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • Looking west along the North border of the site, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Looking west along the North border of the site, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • Labrador tea about ready to awake from its winter slumber; East portion of the parcel, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    Labrador tea about ready to awake from its winter slumber; East portion of the parcel, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
  • More black knot, this time on a lodge pole pine fallen onto the Eastern boundary fence, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.
    More black knot, this time on a lodge pole pine fallen onto the Eastern boundary fence, Opal NA (West), 2025-02-21, P. Potter.

Usage: This site is intended for my personal use only and very select invited guests. My recommendation is for you to stay in bed with the covers pulled firmly over your head.