Medicine Lodge Hills NA

The Medicine Lodge Hills Natural Area provides a scenic and mostly undisturbed setting ideal for exploration. With sandy soil and mixed forest cover, it is best enjoyed in the fall. The area’s unique topography and limited ATV traffic make it a worthwhile visit.

Looking west atop of the rise in the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
Looking west atop of the rise in the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.

Geologically, the Medicine Hills soil is very sandy with a clay base, almost akin to what you find north of Edmonton. The site is covered with a mixed forest evergreens and decidious trees.

There are at least three distinct historical cut lines, two running east-west from Range Road 31 with another running north-south about 100M in from this road. A loop of sorts is possible with a return (or start) walking along the road to the neighbouring farm to the south.

The cutlines have seen very limited ATV traffic, at least for the year of visit. They are over grown and slowly returning to nature.

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: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK and NOT MUCH HERE. Snowshoeing is possible but not sure it would be worth going all the way unless it is part of another trip.
  • Worth Visiting if in the neighbourhood. Bring a 4×4 if the road is wet and definitely a car with good clearance.
  • No Washrooms and not Kid Focused

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council, Protected Notation Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 4/5: Nice drive out and fairly undisturbed. Cut lines makes for a passable trail. Nice local vistas.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 117.9km
  • Trail Classification: Overall (4 out of 5); Rating: ; Access: ; Develop: ; Maint: ; Season: : Trail is likely nice in the fall and when the foilage is dropping..
    • The Drive Out: Highway 12 west of the Highway 2 offers incredible rural vistas. Range Road 31, north of Highway 2 is gravel and may be challenging in the winter.
  • The Other Shoe: Potential for horseback riding if in the neighbourhood. Probably too over grown for fat biking, etc.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: Medicine Lodge Hills NA – 2024-08-24

(On smart phones, swipe to advance the pictures)

  • Looking east along the southern border of the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Looking east along the southern border of the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Looking south on Range Road 31 with the NA on the left, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Looking south on Range Road 31 with the NA on the left, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Southern neighbours of the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Southern neighbours of the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Thin forest cover on top of a very sandy sub-strata, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Thin forest cover on top of a very sandy sub-strata, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Boundary sign on the NW corner of the NA, private land starts immediately to the left of the sigh, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Boundary sign on the NW corner of the NA, private land starts immediately to the left of the sigh, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Old cut line an ATV ingress to the NA; a good example of the sandy soil of the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Old cut line an ATV ingress to the NA; a good example of the sandy soil of the NA, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Intersecting the ATV track coming in from RR 31 is this overgrown cut line with a single track; likely hosting the occasional motorcycle, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Intersecting the ATV track coming in from RR 31 is this overgrown cut line with a single track; likely hosting the occasional motorcycle, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Abandoned access gate (but no fencing) 'securing' a gas pipeline underneath, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Abandoned access gate (but no fencing) ‘securing’ a gas pipeline underneath, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • Wide cutline, looking south towards the farmer access road, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    Wide cutline, looking south towards the farmer access road, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
  • From the southern properties access road, looking north into the NA and the start of the overgrown cutline, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.
    From the southern properties access road, looking north into the NA and the start of the overgrown cutline, Medicine Lodge Hills NA, 2024-08-14, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Medicine Lodge Hills 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.