Genesee NA

The Genesee Natural Area is on the North Saskatchewan River. A loop trail provides for a moderately challenging walk. The area features a variety of trails; certain paths are discouraged due to safety concerns. Accessible from Edmonton, it offers scenic views and is suitable for walking year-round.

Looking NE at the river lookout, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
Looking NE at the river lookout, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.

Genesee Natural Area [1] (1.79 km2) protects a site along the North Saskatchewan River that contains some of the world’s best-preserved Late Upper Cretaceous plant fossils [2]. It is incised by two creeks and the vegetation is aspen-dominated forest with white spruce, balsam poplar and paper birch over a dense understory. The area is named for a settler from Genesee, NY, USA [3].

Fact Facts

Land to the East, West, and South (across TWP 504) is private. The site has been subject to OHV abuse in the past. Reclamation is proving effective. More recently trail cameras have captured a variety of wildlife (see: https://vimeo.com/user13493548, select videos from Gerald Romanchuk).

Multiple trails, Stick to the Loop. A legacy of OHV use and cutlines yields several trails and loops. This includes the West creek and an OHV track following the Eastern border. Both are NOT Recommended. The first is because the creek is active in the winter, the ice is rotten in many places. The latter is because there is not an obvious connection and route finding is needed to pick up the Eastern track. The loop in the map below is what I will return to for future visits.

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.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 4/5: Reasonably close to Edmonton, the loop to the river look out is challenging enough to be interesting.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 64 KM
  • Trail Classification: Rating: 8; Access: Granted; Develop: Traditional Trail. ; Maint: No Human Interventions. ; Season: All Season: The legacy ATV tracks are starting to grow back. Numerous dead falls makes this a challenging route.
Trail Classification System with examples - YEG-Ville.
Trail Classification System with examples – YEG-Ville.
  • The Drive Out: TWP 504 is very picturesque. Be sure to visit the Genesee Generating Station Viewpoint which is to the North of the plant just off HWY 770.
  • The Other Shoe: With the deadfall, exclusively walking.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2025-01-15. Weather: Warm in the single digits (2-5 C) and overcast. Comments: Visited with Danielle and Anne-Marie.

(On smart phones, swipe to advance the pictures)

  • Just off the parking lot turn off and looking North, a boundary sign and another explaining trail reclamation, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Just off the parking lot turn off and looking North, a boundary sign and another explaining trail reclamation, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Looking west along the pillars erected north of the parking area as part of the trail reclamation efforts in the site, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Looking west along the pillars erected north of the parking area as part of the trail reclamation efforts in the site, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Looking N across the North Saskatchewan at the river lookout, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Looking N across the North Saskatchewan at the river lookout, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • One of several gulleys leading to the river to the North, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    One of several gulleys leading to the river to the North, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Kill site for a rabbit with coyote scat next to it, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Kill site for a rabbit with coyote scat next to it, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • A 'plethora' of fungi, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    A ‘plethora’ of fungi, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • A wasps' nest abandoned for the season, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    A wasps’ nest abandoned for the season, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Visitors helping each other across one of a number of deadfalls on the trail, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Visitors helping each other across one of a number of deadfalls on the trail, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Walking along the West Creek, not a recommended activity, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Walking along the West Creek, not a recommended activity, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • The ice in places, along the creek, is 'rotten', Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    The ice in places, along the creek, is ‘rotten’, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Looking south down the Eastern boundary of the NA, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Looking south down the Eastern boundary of the NA, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
  • Example of an undulation the Eastern boundary trail takes, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.
    Example of an undulation the Eastern boundary trail takes, Genesee NA, 2025-01-15, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Genesee NA | SAPAA.
  2. Late Cretaceous | Wikipedia.
  3. Peel Library. “Geographic Board of Canada, Place-Names of Alberta (1928).” Accessed January 17, 2025. Peel Library, UofA, p. 56.

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.