The Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad Association is constantly making sure that local ATV trails are properly maintained and safe for riders. In August of 2010, they plan to hold the grand opening of the Plane Crash Trail—a popular riding area that parallels North York Creek.

The trail was heavily eroded from extensive rain, washouts and recreational vehicle traffic. In September of 2009, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development approved the Quad Squad’s application to repair the trail, and work is in progress to do just that.

“(We’d like) to recognize Alcoa Foundation and the National Trails Coalition who made the repair of this trail possible,” said Julie Rayne, office administrator for the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad.

This trail leads to the site where a Royal Canadian Air Force DC-3 crashed in 1946. There were no survivors, and many visitors stop by the fascinating location to learn about the history and pay their respects.

“(It’s) a very popular destination trail for locals and tourists,” said Rayne. “It took five days for the Crowsnest Pass Forest Rangers to snowshoe to the crash site because of bad weather. They were guided by the smoke of the burning plane.”