Lloyd Creek Natural Area

Lloyd Creek NA is a large site about 20 KM West of Pigeon Lake and South of HWY 13. Access is challenging and involves steep climbs, wet areas, and occasional cow herd (see the image gallery).

Looking S across the valley where TWP 460 runs at a single-track trail, originally a game trail broadened by human use, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter
Looking S across the valley where TWP 460 runs at a single-track trail, originally a game trail broadened by human use, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter

Lloyd Creek NA is a large site more than two section in land in area [1]. To aid in describing it, it is broken into five 1-quarter section blocks and two 2-quarter section blocks.

Lloyd Creek NA - Quarter Section Names.
Lloyd Creek NA – Quarter Section Names.

Access to the Eastern Portion of the site is primarily from the South via TWP 460, or from the North via the terminus of RR 13. The Western portion is yet explored and is surrounded by private land. Paid heed to the multiple no trespassing signs.

RR 13 – Service Road? As RR 13 heads South, the degree of excavation suggests it might have been a service road for logging, etc. This route has historically seen ATV traffic although little based on the September 2024 visit. A wet area and then a steep climb has further discouraged additional ATV traffic. Along the East border of the North Quarter, fencing is showing its age and in some cases is down.

Braids and Disturbances. Once into the main body of the site, there are several braided ATV trails. Wet depressions create gouged trails and the usual muddy disturbances. Past and more recent trail clearance (e.g. cutting dead falls) are evident.

Ungulates and Transits. Scats and tracks suggest ungulates such as moose enjoy the site. The route taken included a slight transit through the adjoining Crown Land adjoining East Twin Lake. This land is under a Tourism and Commercial Development Lease to the County of Wetaskiwin.

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

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 5/5: ATV tracks have both wrecked havoc and created easy to walk trails. Definitely semi-wilderness area worthy of further exploration.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 83 km
  • Trail Classification: Rating: 24; Access: Granted; Develop: Limited Development. ; Maint: In Disrepair or Abused; Season: All Season: Extensive ATV and other tracks have been maintained to clear dead fall, etc.
    • The Drive Out: TWP 460 is a little used gravel road that ends in private land. It is likely challenging after a snowstorm or recent rains, etc. RR 13 is a better road but requires a 300 to 1,000 M walk to get to ATV tracks. Nevertheless, both a beautiful and well worth the trip!
  • The Other Shoe: Fat biking, walking, snowshoeing.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2024-09-30. Weather: Warm with cool early start to the morning
  • Local farmer rounding up the herd, South of the site, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Local farmer rounding up the herd, South of the site, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking N into the site from TWP 460 at the SE corner at an ATV track, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Looking N into the site from TWP 460 at the SE corner at an ATV track, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking North along RR 13, HWY 13 is in the distance, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Looking North along RR 13, HWY 13 is in the distance, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking S along RR 13 and at a boundary sign at the NE corner of the site, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Looking S along RR 13 and at a boundary sign at the NE corner of the site, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking S along RR 13 flora relatively undisturbed, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Looking S along RR 13 flora relatively undisturbed, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking S and a steep climb just as RR 13 enters the site, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Looking S and a steep climb just as RR 13 enters the site, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking E along the N border of the site at a flood ATV track with braiding occurring, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Looking E along the N border of the site at a flood ATV track with braiding occurring, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
  • Route map, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.
    Route map, Lloyd Creek NA, 2024-09-30, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Lloyd Creek | 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.

1 thought on “Lloyd Creek Natural Area”

  1. OK, that email address seemed to work, without asking for a password.

    I wouldn’t say that snowmobile trails have wreaked havoc, although I didn’t see as much of the area as you did, Frank. I would say the one (ATV) trail we walked on was tolerable, and although a source on weeds, these do not seem to spread into the surrounding forest.

    Lloyd Creek is a great place for a hike through almost pristine poplar forest, with a plant composition showing the influence of the western foothills.

    There may be some further damage in wet years in the depressional areas of the trail, but if ruts are filled in (with weed-free material) and there is some removal of orchard grass in the southern portion of the site, I believe this main ATV trail is sustainable. The fact that the area is pretty remote probably means that it is only receiving local usage.

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