Magee Lake NA

Magee Lake, named after an early settler [1], lies within the Chain Lakes. Nearby Morningside, once home to a mental hospital, now has limited facilities. The area is ideal for a half day walk, botany, bugs, fungus, and dog walking, with options for snowshoeing.

Parlby Creek looking west and part of the Chain Lakes which includes Magee Lake, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
Parlby Creek looking west and part of the Chain Lakes which includes Magee Lake, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.

Assuming you have a capable vehicle, take the time to follow RR 244 down to a stunning valley of Parlby Creek. Steep hills on other side of the Chain Lakes valley contain the water and creates a dense green corridor. The creek connects two of the Chain Lakes including Magee Lake downstream. This section of road is unmaintained, posted ‘Use at Own Risk’ and is probably impassable during heavy rains and questionable in the winter. A 4×4, high clearance vehicle, common sense, and a sense of adventure are all required.

Getting stuck notwithstanding, the drive out to Magee is rural stunning. Large farm operations and bucolic-beauty at its best.

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: ADVENTURE.
  • Worth Visiting particularly in conjunction with other sites nearby.
  • No Washrooms.
  • Not Kid Focused although the nice playground in Morningside might buy you temporary compliance.

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 4/5:
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 109.3km
  • Trail Classification: Overall (4 out of 5); Rating: ; Access: ; Develop: ; Maint: ; Season: : ATV Track has had low recent use but was subject to abuse previoiusly. As a result, there are deeply gouged areas..
    • The Drive Out: Stunning along both quiet paved and gravel roads.
      • Morningside is a pleasant small town off highway 2A.
      • Given its proximity to Lacombe, it no longer has any services (food, gas, etc.).
      • A porta-pottie was behind the community hall and there is a park for kids to play in.
      • A CPR station was established here in 1892 and the area was named for a suburb of Edinburgh Scotland where a famous mental hospital was located.
      • The original Alberta mental hospital was built here, named Morningside, but burned down soon afterwards and relocated north in Ponoka [2].
  • Cycling in the area can benefit from paved and quiet secondary highways, for example, TWP 420 which runs east-west from Morningside.
  • Nice rural drive through mixed farm land.
  • Morningside community hall, P.Potter 2024-08-14.
    Morningside community hall, P.Potter 2024-08-14.
  • Playground and a lending library, P. Potter, 2024-08-14.
    Playground and a lending library, P. Potter, 2024-08-14.
  • Playground in the main square of Morningside, P. Potter, 2024-08-14.
    Playground in the main square of Morningside, P. Potter, 2024-08-14.
  • Looking north into the small town/hamlet of Morningside, P. Potter, 2024-08-14.
    Looking north into the small town/hamlet of Morningside, P. Potter, 2024-08-14.
  • The Other Shoe: Fat biking and dog walking are options. Should be passable for snowshoeing but challenging for skiing.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: Magee Lake NA – 2024-08-24
  • Range Road 244 north of the NA as it drops down to cross Parlby Creek, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Range Road 244 north of the NA as it drops down to cross Parlby Creek, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Parlby Creek looking west and part of the Chain Lakes which includes Magee Lake, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Parlby Creek looking west and part of the Chain Lakes which includes Magee Lake, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Boundary sign, midway along the border and looking west from RR 244, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Boundary sign, midway along the border and looking west from RR 244, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • ATV track heading west from RR 244 into the NA. It loops throughout the property, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    ATV track heading west from RR 244 into the NA. It loops throughout the property, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Entrance to the ATV track heading west into the NA, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Entrance to the ATV track heading west into the NA, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Boundary sign, SE corner looking west from RR 244, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Boundary sign, SE corner looking west from RR 244, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Beaked Hazelnut waiting for a nearby squirrel, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Beaked Hazelnut waiting for a nearby squirrel, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Looking roughly east from the NW corner of the NA, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Looking roughly east from the NW corner of the NA, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Likely Coyote scat left on the trail, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Likely Coyote scat left on the trail, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Fruit of Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra), 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Fruit of Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra), 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
  • Late fruit of common raspberry, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
    Late fruit of common raspberry, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Peel Library. Geographic Board of Canada, Place-Names of Alberta (1928), p. 82 (accessed August 16, 2024).
  2. DONOVAN, LARRY. ALBERTA PLACE NAMES: The Fascinating People & Stories behind the Naming of Alberta. Canada: DRAGON HILL PUB, 2007.
  3. Magee Lake NA|SAPAA.

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.

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