|
Outdoor fun for the whole family
Families like to get away from the rush of everyday life and a good way to get back to nature is to take a Bearhead Creek Wilderness Tour.
"I got the idea to start the business from a friend of mine. He said that since I already had the property I might as well do something with it," said Barry Himer, owner and operator.
Coming from a hunting background, Himer didn't know all that much about interpreting but he knew about wildlife. After he got interested in the business he started to study the tourism trends and the market studies.
On the tours people can take day trips to Frank Lake to do bird watching, go through an old growth forest or take a trip down the Grouard Trail. The trail is thought to be around 200 years old and is a highlight of the tours.
"It was an old Cree war trail. The Cree Indians used to use it to travel north and make war on northern tribes. Klondikers even used the trail. It kind of petered out when the railroad came in though," said Himer.
The trail is so important historically and personally that Himer spent two years writing an application to apply for Special Places 2000 protection for the trail of which there is only 1/3 or 1/4 left.
The special status wouldn't stop hunting or trapping, but it would keep logging companies out of the area. There really isn't a lot of good wood there anyway and the entire place is mostly wetlands, said Himer.
The preferred method of travel on the Grouard Trail is ATV or Argo because of how rough the trail is. In the snow snowmobiles can be used and Himer is also considering bringing in trail horses, but for right now the business is about where he wants it to be.
"We have everything pretty much where we want it now. Maybe some new equipment so we can take out larger groups but other than that we're pretty much ok," said Himer.
Guests stay in outdoor heated cabins with all the necessities. Meals are provided, unless guests decide they would like to do otherwise and showers are also provided.
Weekend getaways start at about $150 per person. That includes lodging from Friday through Sunday, all meals and guided tours around the area. Right now Himer is restricted to working on weekends and holidays because of his work at Alberta Power. His wife helps him with the company though.
"Maybe when things get busier we would hire some staff. Maybe some university or college kids studying environmental protection or biology or something."
Guests can see all kinds of wildlife from moose, deer, bear and beavers to blue jays, eagles and owls. There are even wolves around the area.
Part of the Smoky River Tourist Association, Himer is also trying to get together packages where he is involved with people spending a week in the area. Some days would be spent at the Wilderness tours and other days spent at other attractions in the area.
"We really have to get people to come see what we have around here. To show them we're not just a place to stop and fill up with gas," said Himer.
For more information about the tours contact Barry Himer at 780-837-8263 and leave a message.
Back
Copyright © 2000 HighPrairie.com All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without the written consent of HighPrairie.com
View our Privacy Statement and Terms of Service
|
|