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Mon July 31, 2006 www.edmontonsun.com
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By BILL LAYE, SUN MEDIA

A bumper berry crop has prompted Parks Canada officials to move a planned trail closure at Banff National Park up by a week.

Parks spokesman Marjorie Huculak said plans to close - or at least restrict access - to the Allenby Pass and Aylmer Pass hiking paths in August were on tap since last winter, given the high number of human-bear encounters over the past five years in those areas.

“But Aylmer Pass is closed already,” Huculak said.

“It’s because we have a very abundant berry crop that’s a few weeks earlier than usual.”

Bears hibernate most of the winter, so they spend the summer months eating as much as they can to build up their fat reserves.

That means those going out in the woods today have to be careful, said Huculak, adding that the recent spell of nice weather has been bringing people out to Banff in huge numbers.

“People have definitely been enjoying the park,” she said.

“What we’ve been trying to do is warn people that they just need to take a few precautions while they’re here.”

The Aylmer trail closure includes Campground LM8 - near Lake Minnewanka, while restricted access rules along the Allenby Pass are in effect from Aug. 8 to Oct. 31.

People wishing to use that area must obtain a permit and hike only during restricted-access hours.

Outdoor enthusiasts in all backwoods recreation areas are advised to avoid hiking alone, make noise on the trails, watch for bear signs - like tracks or scat - keep pets on a leash and, if a bear is seen, to give it a berth of at least 100 metres.