snowshoe

courtesy WBNP

Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest national park. It was established in 1922 to protect the world's largest herd of free-roaming wood bison, currently estimated at more than 5,000. It is the only known nesting site of whooping cranes.

The Trans Canada Trail is a 21,500-kilometre recreational trail winding its way through every province and territory, from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic Oceans. When completed, it will be the world's longest recreational trail, linking close to 1,000 communities and over 33 million Canadians. Thousands of people use the Trail to walk, hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe, and snowmobile.

For the average hiker, cyclist, snowshoer, and skier, the Cassette rapids provide some dramatic whitewater vistas, though they appear from shore to be less-impressive than the Pelican rapids. Kayakers will beg to differ, however. The proof is in the vegetation.

Due in large part to the spray generated by these rapids, and the resulting humidity, the trees along this part of the river are enormous compared to their counterparts downstream.

photo by Jessica CoxThe Pelican rapids are accessible all year-round, by foot and bicycle from April to October (depending on snowfall), and by ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile from November to March (depending on snowfall). These are magnificent whitewater rapids, and an outcrop of Canadian Shield granite jutting up from the water allows hikers to walk halfway across the expansive river (dependent on water levels) from June through October.

photo by Jessica CoxRapids of the Drowned are the most visible rapids to residents of, and visitors to, Fort Smith. They are the rapids beside which the community is situated, and can be seen from “The Lookout” on Marine Drive. These rapids are a designated Historic Site of Canada.

Axe Handle Hill

Axe Handle Hill Park is located at the eastern end of the Town of Fort Smith between Pine Crescent and Park Drive.

When using the trails along the Slave River during the summer (May through October), it is important to be aware of wildlife, particularly black bears. Be Bear Aware. Black bears use the river as a migration route, and though human encounters with bears are rare, they do happen. Inform yourself about how to avoid an encounter with a bear, and know how to react if one does occur.