Burtonsville Island NA

Burtonsville Island is not worth visiting due to challenging access, high water levels, and a lack of trails. Overall, it rates the area a 1 out of 5; only winter (with landowner permission) or water borne access is possible.

The end of the legitimate track' and the backwater created by the Beaver Dam about 100 M to the left; note the white speck across the water which is a boundary sign, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
The end of the ‘legitimate track’ and the backwater created by the Beaver Dam about 100 M to the left; note the white speck across the water which is a boundary sign, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.

Sometimes trips are exciting and produce spectacular results. A visit to this area was exciting, for the wrong reasons, and failed to yield setting foot on the NA. Burtonsville Island is just that, an Island. Beavers have created a backwater on the North side of the island and a wet land downstream of the dam.

It is this wetland that started my adventures. I managed to nearly lose my rubber boot to all but the top 2 inches down a very deep hole. After 15 minutes of using a hiking pole as a lever, it was finally dislodged. 15 minutes after that, the RCMP called to inform me that I was trespassing in a gravel pit and had to leave. Fortunately all was forgiven and the kindly caretaker pointed me toward a trail running to the west of the property.

The trail ends abruptly at the river but now filled with water as it is on the upstream side of the beaver dam. High water and lost time rescuing boots meant that my one visit to Burtonsville Island was cut short without actually stepping foot on the NA.

I will update this page (with permission from the gravel pit) or a water borne visit. In the meantime, Burtonsville is definitely in the don’t bother visiting category.

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: Likely very challenging. Reports from the site security at the nearby gravel pit suggests that previous trails are now overgrown and animal tracks are the only ones available to an intrepid walker on the island.
  • Not Worth Visiting unless from the river.
  • No Washrooms.
  • Not Kid Focused

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council, Border Paving owns much of the adjoining land.
    • Access to the easterly portion can be attempted by contacting Border Paving, the landowner. Phone number, 780-967-3330, 888-846-8649.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 1/5: Overall (1 out of 5); not worth it.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 72.6km
  • Trail Classification: Overall (1 out of 5); Rating: 0; Access: Granted (from the west); Develop: No trail; Maint: No Human Interventions. ; Season: Single Season: Best visited in the winter.
    • The Drive Out: Great drive out from Edmonton. The massive coal operations, generation plants, and rural landscapes make it worthwhile. Excellent historical signs describing early settler life.
  • The Other Shoe: Access via the river, e.g., canoeing.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2024-09-18. Weather: Warm 15 C, No Wind.

(On smart phones, swipe to advance the pictures)

  • Causeway through the gravel pit, looking south towards the NA, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    Causeway through the gravel pit, looking south towards the NA, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • River channel downstream from the Beaver Dam, looking southwest into the island/NA from the NE corner, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    River channel downstream from the Beaver Dam, looking southwest into the island/NA from the NE corner, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • Mid-September and the water level, and underlying mud, make the river channel impassable, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    Mid-September and the water level, and underlying mud, make the river channel impassable, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • Looking downstream and South East along the river channel, the NA island is on the right, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    Looking downstream and South East along the river channel, the NA island is on the right, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • Looking straight down on my rubber boot, with about 2 inches of freeboard, well stuck in a hole, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    Looking straight down on my rubber boot, with about 2 inches of freeboard, well stuck in a hole, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • A successful extraction from the hole/gumbo of a lost rubber boot, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    A successful extraction from the hole/gumbo of a lost rubber boot, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • A successful extraction from the hole/gumbo of a lost rubber boot, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    The two RCMP vehicles who came out to investigate my arrival on the site, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • The end of the 'legitimate track' and the backwater created by the Beaver Dam about 100 M to the left; note the white speck across the water which is a boundary sign, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    The end of the ‘legitimate track’ and the backwater created by the Beaver Dam about 100 M to the left; note the white speck across the water which is a boundary sign, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • With high water levels and various delays, the nearest I got to the Beaver Dam; looking East and downstream with the NA to the right, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    With high water levels and various delays, the nearest I got to the Beaver Dam; looking East and downstream with the NA to the right, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
  • Two different route attempts to visit the island. Blue via the gravel pit and purple the 'legit' route, With high water levels and various delays, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.
    Two different route attempts to visit the island. Blue via the gravel pit and purple the ‘legit’ route, With high water levels and various delays, 2024-09-18, Burtonsville Island NA, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Burtonsville was named for the 1912 post master of the community, Cornelius Burton. Hills of Hope road side sign: Burtonsville Community.

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.