Red Tape, Fees and Legalese
There is no red tape to wade through here. Since the mountain is not in a national or provincial park, no entry or park fees need to be paid. Campground fees and fire regulations are all you will need to be aware of. Free camping is everywhere, so even campgrounds need not be utilized unless you are looking for pumped water or luxuries like showers and cut firewood. It is illegal to transport firewood across provincial borders, however, due to the possibility of spreading disease into healthy forests.
There is no red tape to wade through here. Since the mountain is not in a national or provincial park, no entry or park fees need to be paid. Campground fees and fire regulations are all you will need to be aware of. Free camping is everywhere, so even campgrounds need not be utilized unless you are looking for pumped water or luxuries like showers and cut firewood. It is illegal to transport firewood across provincial borders, however, due to the possibility of spreading disease into healthy forests.
Camping in David Thompson Country
Camping is permitted right at the parking area and around the little hill between the highway and the lake. Camping is also permitted right on the mountain and there are several nice, wide flat areas with good views where there is room for several tents. There are many areas in the vicinity where car camping and camping while backpacking is possible. Open fires are permitted, depending on forest fire conditions at the time. Fire regulations are generally posted often, along with fire hazard ratings for the area. Also, there are an abundance of campsites in David Thompson Country, as listed below.
Campgrounds
Aylmer Provincial Recreational Area
7 Sites * Primitive camping - no water well * Loading and unloading ramps * Equestrian & bike trails * Note: fees under review * No firewood provided.
Directions: Located 11 km south on Forestry Trunk road (Hwy 734)
Address: 14 km south of Nordegg, AB
Beaverdam Provincial Recreational Area
8 tenting sites * 3 RV sites in parking lot * rustic * Firewood provided.
Directions: 5 km east of Nordegg on Hwy. 11
Address: Nordegg, AB T0M 1T0
Brazeau River Wilderness Recreational Area
12 sites * Group camping (reservations required) * Sites on either side of Brazeau River * Pump water * Fishing * Firewood * Canoe & raft staging area and registration kiosk * OHV and equestrian staging area * Security patrolled * Service: none
Directions: 65 km north of Nordegg on Forestry Trunk Road 734
Address: 72 km north of Nordegg, AB on Forestry Trunk Road (SH 734)
Brown Creek Wilderness Recreational Area
9 sites * South of 60 Enterprises Alta., Ltd. * Park Services Ops Base * Pump water * hiking trails * Wildlife viewing * Backcountry hiking and skiing * Snowshoe and winter camping * OHV & equestrian staging * Firewood * Security Patrolled * Tourist Information * Services: none
Directions: 45 km north of Nordegg on Forestry Trunk Road 734
Address: 45 km north of Nordegg on Forestry Trunk Road (SH 734) AB
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area
31 sites * Pump water * Equestrian trails * Loading and unloading ramps for horses provided: * Hiking * Services: none * Access road from Hwy. 11 to the falls is steep and narrow - use caution * Firewood for sale.
Directions: Located 17 km west of Nordegg on Hwy 11, then north for 6 km
Address: Nordegg, AB
Dry Haven Provincial Recreation Area
14 Sites * Shelter with stove * No water well on site * Services: none * Firewood for sale.
Directions: 11 km west of Nordegg on Hwy 11.
Address: Nordegg, AB
Fish Lake Provincial Recreational Area
91 sites * 24 power/water sites in loop #3 * Pump and tap water * Floating boat dock on site * Hiking * Fishing * Mountain biking * Swimming * Interpretive trails * Public phone * Electric motors only * Services: none * Firewood for sale.
Directions: 8 km west of Nordegg on Hwy. 11
Address: 6 km west of Nordegg, AB on Hwy. 11 then 2 km south on access road (also called Shunda Lake)
Goldeye Lake Provincial Recreation Area
44 Sites * Pump water * Floating boat dock on site * Electric motors only * Public phone * Services: none * Firewood for sale.
Directions: 8 km west of Nordegg on Hwy 11
Address: PO Box 2100 Rocky Mountain House, AB T0M 1T0
Harlech Provincial Recreational Area
17 Sites * Pump water * ATV trails (undeveloped) in the area * Fishing in Shunda Creek * Services: none *
Directions: 13 km east of Nordegg on Hwy. 11
Address: 13 km east of Nordegg, AB on Hwy. 11
Thompson Creek Provincial Recreational Area
55 Sites * Pump water * Services: none *
Directions: 83 km west of Nordegg on Highway 11
Address: 83 km southwest of Nordegg, AB on Hwy. 11 (10 km east of Saskatchewan River Crossing)
Upper Shunda Creek Provincial Recreation Area
25 Sites * Pump water * ATV trails (undeveloped) in the area - ATVs are permitted for registered campers only. Some restrictions apply * Reservations are available * Camping fee is $12.00 per unit per night * Firewood is available * Showers are close by. Directions: 3 km west of Nordegg on Hwy. 11
Address: 3 km west of Nordegg, AB off Hwy. 11
Camping is permitted right at the parking area and around the little hill between the highway and the lake. Camping is also permitted right on the mountain and there are several nice, wide flat areas with good views where there is room for several tents. There are many areas in the vicinity where car camping and camping while backpacking is possible. Open fires are permitted, depending on forest fire conditions at the time. Fire regulations are generally posted often, along with fire hazard ratings for the area. Also, there are an abundance of campsites in David Thompson Country, as listed below.
Campgrounds
Shunda Creek Hostel
You might be well advised to take advantage of the secluded natural beauty and location of the rustic but very clean and comfortableShunda Creek Hostel , associated with the Hostelling International organization. Located about 4 miles outside of Nordegg, Alberta, this beautiful large log cabin/hostel features separate rooms, two large kitchens with food storage facilities, big, log-burning fireplaces in the great room and a huge hot tub out on the deck. It all feels good after a few days of hiking or climbing in the Nordegg area. The cost is about $15 a night, and better accomodations in the heart of David Thompson Country, or any mountain area, will not be had at a fairer price. The hostel has an Indian teepee in the yard if you prefer to camp the old-fashioned way.
You might be well advised to take advantage of the secluded natural beauty and location of the rustic but very clean and comfortable
GPS Coordinates
Topographic and GPS coordinates The Google Earth website lists topographic and GPS coordinates derived by satellite measurement for Lookout Peak and The Buckle as follows:
Lookout Peak52 deg 15 min 58.97 sec N / -116 deg 24 min 20.15 sec W
(GPS) 52.266381 N / -116.405597 W
Elevation 6582 ft.
The Buckle 52 deg 16 min 19.11 sec N / -116 deg 24 min 21.49 sec W
(GPS) 52.271975 N / -116.405969 W
Elevation 6926 ft.
Mountain Highways Road Map by Rocky Mountain Books
Topographic and GPS coordinates The Google Earth website lists topographic and GPS coordinates derived by satellite measurement for Lookout Peak and The Buckle as follows:
Lookout Peak
The Buckle
Mountain Highways Road Map by Rocky Mountain Books
Disclaimer - Hazard Warning
Remember that you are in wild country here; common sense must be followed with regards to food storage and approaching wild animals. Generally, if you make lots of noise on the trail they will leave your area for a quieter area. Mountain lions and bears are known to inhabit mountainous areas, and recorded attacks by bears and mountain lions have resulted in human fatalities in Alberta's national and provincial parks, mountains and boreal forests.
The Alpine Club of Canada’sEdmonton Section and Calgary Section both conduct an excellent mountaineering orientation program, which prepares novices for their initiation to mountaineering.
Instruction is done by top-notch volunteer members with many years of experience. The program includes theory and practical training in crevasse and rock rescue, subjective and objective hazards, mountain conditions and weather, clothing, ropework, use of technical equipment and personal gear, mountain safety and other relevant subjects. Avalanche awareness courses are available, as well as both summer and winter trips for members. The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides can provide information regarding guide services for those who wish to retain a guide. Although this scramble is not technical, the above-mentioned activities are extremely useful in preparing novices for situations which could also arise on less technical peaks.
Scrambling and climbing on non-technical peaks is dangerous. Climb at your own risk.
Avalanche.org puts out regular avalanche reports. In addition, the Canadian Avalanche Association is an excellent source of current avalanche information.
Remember that you are in wild country here; common sense must be followed with regards to food storage and approaching wild animals. Generally, if you make lots of noise on the trail they will leave your area for a quieter area. Mountain lions and bears are known to inhabit mountainous areas, and recorded attacks by bears and mountain lions have resulted in human fatalities in Alberta's national and provincial parks, mountains and boreal forests.
The Alpine Club of Canada’s
The Center for Outdoor Education
TheCentre for Outdoor Education , based in Nordegg, Alberta leads ice climbing trips and is an excellent source of instruction for novices or intermediate climbers wishing to improve their skills: adult backpacking trips, hard core climbing adventures, retreats and a variety of other outdoor experiences are their specialty. The Centre for Outdoor Education (COE) is a multi-use, multi-activity facility offering Outdoor Education and Adventure programs for people of all ages. COE is owned and operated by the Adolph family: Rolf, Cheri and Mike along with a number of dedicated guides and staff. They are situated in the heart of Alberta's David Thompson Country just 10 km west of the hamlet of Nordegg. Highly recommended, this is one local attraction worth checking out.
The
Lookout Peak - Acknowledgements and Photo Credits
The information contained on the Lookout Peak and The Buckle mountain page has been compiled by Henry Timmer, a Canadian citizen, mountaineer and adventurer currently residing in Sacramento, California, USA. To make comments, corrections, additions or inquiries, contact me atclimbwild@hotmail.com
The text of this mountain page is based on the experiences, research and writing of Henry Timmer and is protected by copyright.
Images appearing on the Lookout Peak and The Buckle mountain page are the property of Henry Timmer and are protected by copyright.
The information contained on the Lookout Peak and The Buckle mountain page has been compiled by Henry Timmer, a Canadian citizen, mountaineer and adventurer currently residing in Sacramento, California, USA. To make comments, corrections, additions or inquiries, contact me at
The text of this mountain page is based on the experiences, research and writing of Henry Timmer and is protected by copyright.
Images appearing on the Lookout Peak and The Buckle mountain page are the property of Henry Timmer and are protected by copyright.