Ukalta Dunes NA (PNT)

The Ukalta Dunes Natural Area offers undisturbed environments. This area is suitable for botany and hunting, but not for casual visitors. It features limited access, with only a single ATV track.

Up close and personal with a low growing ground cover, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
Up close and personal with a low growing ground cover, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.

Ukalta Dunes NA (PNT) [1] is a quarter section South of TWP 580 and West of RR 175. It is mostly undisturbed and has micro-climates of coniferous trees and marshy areas.

Hunting, Botany, not YEGVille. A botanist would have a field day working their way through these climates. A hunter would appreciate the healthy population of ungulates (based on tracks and scat). Anyone trying their luck on the game trails will need to expect lots of bushwhacking and should have a keen sense of direction.

Notsomuch YEGVille. A single ATV track runs from the NE corner to the SE. The surrounding parcels are Crown land although likely under a grazing lease. A pristine bit of interesting nature – just not much to do for a YEGVille’r.

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

The Fast Facts

  • Winter Challenge Category: NOT MUCH HERE.
  • Not Worth Visiting unless you are in the area or are driving by.
  • No Washrooms.
  • Not Kid Focused

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council, Protected Notation Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 1/5: Mostly pristine save for one ATV track on the east site. Otherwise, the site is effectively impenetrable.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 80.9km
  • Trail Classification: Overall (1 out of 5); Rating: ; Access: ; Develop: ; Maint: ; Season: : The powerline access has sufficient space to make for an interesting day of trumping through the snow. Potential for fat bike, etc. – with landowner permission, of course!.
    • The Drive Out: The drive through the Alberta industrial heartland is fascinating. Beyond this, pretty farms and the first inclination of the boreal forest.
  • The Other Shoe: Hunting and botany.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2024-08-30. Weather: Very Warm and sunny. Comments: see the post on the combined visit with Ukalta and historical parks in the area.
  • Looking south into the NA along the ATV track which runs through the east portion, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking south into the NA along the ATV track which runs through the east portion, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Access gate in the NE corner of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Access gate in the NE corner of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking south from TWP 580 along the equivalent of RR175 which runs East of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking south from TWP 580 along the equivalent of RR175 which runs East of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • The almost park like understory of the spruce forest on the east side of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    The almost park like understory of the spruce forest on the east side of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • What a difference a few metres make, the understory of the mixed forest toward the middle of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    What a difference a few metres make, the understory of the mixed forest toward the middle of the NA, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Gate in the Southeast corner of the NA and the end of the ATV track, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Gate in the Southeast corner of the NA and the end of the ATV track, Ukalta (PNT) NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Ukalta Dunes (PNT) | sapaastewards.com
  2. Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006, p. 332.

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.