Travel Directions:
The Pole Bridge (Campsite #2) is at the northern end of
Spray Valley Provincial Park, off Hwy 742, 7.3 km south
of the Three Sisters Drive intersection in Canmore, and
2.1 km north of the Riding Ridge. The easiest way to
access the site is to follow Hwy 742 and park at the Goat
Creek Picnic Area. Walk south along Hwy 742 for
approximately 200 meters. At the point where the utility
lines cross Hwy 742 you will see a gravel road to your
right (west). Turn right and follow the gravel road
approximately 0.7 km downhill until you reach a clearing.
Turn right and continue across the clearing, passing the
“Get Goin’, Cowboy” Hillside (Fight Hill),
and the Dozy Embrace site. If you encounter temporary
fencing in this area, go around it to the right. As you
approach Goat Creek, you will see the familiar pole
bridge and campsite. For pictures taken during a hike to
this location, see “Hike to Campsite #2” in Albums.
To reach Hwy 742 (also known as Spray
Lakes Rd. / Smith-Dorrien Rd.): From Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada
Hwy), use Exit 91 “Hwy 1A - Canmore.” Follow
Bow Valley Trail 2.2 km, turn left (northwest) onto
Railway Ave. Proceed 0.5 km and turn left (west) at Main
St. (also known as 8th St.), go 0.6 km and turn left
(south) onto Bridge Rd. (also known as 8th Ave. / Rundle
Drive). At the “T” intersection, turn left
(south) on Three Sisters Drive, proceed 0.6 km and turn
right (west) at Spray Lakes Rd. (also known as Hwy 742).
(Or simply follow the helpful “Kananaskis
Country” signs throughout Canmore.) See map of Canmore.
Remarks:
If the second campsite has an icon, it is, of course, the
pole bridge. The bridge deck features a series of
sequentially numbered metal plates and corresponding
notches. Though we can imagine some humorous
explanations, these probably served another purpose.
Perhaps you know what they were for. If so, please tell
us.
[Update: Sadly, the pole bridge was
washed out by high water in 2011.]
See:
http://www.albertaparks.ca/spray-valley/information-facilities/day-use/goat-creek.aspx?id=st-day:8158
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