Town Creek Natural Area

Town Creek NA is 40 KM West and South of Pigeon Lake. Twin Lake Campground is nearby as well as bed and breakfast accommodations.

Red moss colony along the East-West cut line, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
Red moss colony along the East-West cut line, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.

Mystery. The exploration started with a mystery, involved making a decision, and several hours exploring this site. The mystery was a crude and robust sled that seems to have been pulled behind a vehicle along the service road. What it carried, who built it, and who owns it is unclear.

Wet Decision. For the first half of the exploration, I followed a well-built service road that ends in the adjoining property. A cut line headed South intersecting a partially overgrown line heading West and back to HWY 20. I opted to follow a cut line which bisects the site into North and South portions. It was a bit wet in the middle but no boot sucking holes were discovered. Next time, I will try to circumnavigate the property.

Moderate Usage. Tire tracks along the road and a new culvert diverting Town Creek suggests the area is important enough to spend money on. Other than a discarded culvert, the road, and older ATV tracks, the site is in good shape. A location to re-visit in the future!

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?: 4/5:
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 91 km
  • Trail Classification: Rating: 12; Access: Granted; Develop: Limited Development. ; Maint: In Disrepair or Abused; Season: Two Seasons: Wet areas means the cut lines are best accessed during a dry fall or in the winter.
    • The Drive Out: Highways 13 and 20 are both interesting and fun to drive on. Twin Lakes Campground is nearby as well as Pigeon, Battle, and Gull Lake.
  • The Other Shoe: Fat biking (service road only), walking, snowshoeing, and XC Skiing.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2024-09-24. Weather: Hot and clear skies.
  • An interesting looking and very robust sled found at the gate off HWY 20, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    An interesting looking and very robust sled found at the gate off HWY 20, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking East from HWY 20 into the site, note homemade sled, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking East from HWY 20 into the site, note homemade sled, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking NW towards HWY 20 and the wet area adjacent to the gate, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking NW towards HWY 20 and the wet area adjacent to the gate, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking NE into the site along an access road, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking NE into the site along an access road, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking S into a small pond from the service road, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking S into a small pond from the service road, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking NE towards a beaver dam blocking Town Creek, note the large culvert in the foreground, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking NE towards a beaver dam blocking Town Creek, note the large culvert in the foreground, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking W along the road, the sled tracks can be seen between the tire tracks on the right, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking W along the road, the sled tracks can be seen between the tire tracks on the right, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Fall colours and a wet area, looking E and at the Eastern border, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Fall colours and a wet area, looking E and at the Eastern border, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • Looking E into the adjoining property, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
    Looking E into the adjoining property, Town Creek NA, 2024-09-25, P. Potter.
  • 2024-09-24 Town Creek Route Map
    2024-09-24 Town Creek Route Map

Notes and Reference

  1. Town Creek NA | SAPAA.
  2. DONOVAN, LARRY. ALBERTA PLACE NAMES: The Fascinating People & Stories behind the Naming of Alberta. Canada: DRAGON HILL PUB, 2007.

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.