THE RUMBLE TO FORT MCMURRAY Story and photos by Eric Larson There comes a time when one must look back on the preconceived notions we have and rethink them - or maybe even question how you have come to hold them in the first place. Such was the case for me when I rode up to Fort McMurray after the May long weekend to see for myself what Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo has to offer. I knew the week was going to be challenging with the weather and a couple of times I was very sorry that I left my heated vest at home, but most people that set out for adventures often have challenges upon the way.
I did find some great gravel when I took some industry roads just to see where they went, and the trip into Crow Lake Provincial Park was short but awesome. Crow Lake park was a great place to have a coffee and a rest and to watch the birds on the water. For those that wish to bush camp, there are lots of areas that will fit your style throughout this whole area. Day 2 started with a great breakfast at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort McMurray and then a coffee overlooking a forested area regrowing from the 2016 Horse River Wildfire behind the hotel.
Probably the biggest challenge I had while in this northern region was finding enough hours in the day to see everything. Let’s start with a bit about Fort McMurray and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). Fort McMurray started as a Northwest Company fur trading post back in 1790 and was named after William McMurray who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1995, the City of Fort McMurray amalgamated with Improvement District #143 to form the RMWB. This vast region includes six First Nations communities, five Métis Local Councils, one Métis Community Association, the city of Fort McMurray, and the rural communities of Fort Fitzgerald, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Draper, Saprae Creek Estates, Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, Janvier, and Conklin.
The sand on the winter road to Fort Chipewyan After coffee I met with Tyler Cole from Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism and we headed out to explore south on Highway 881 towards Engstrom Lake Provincial Recreation Area. Our day consisted of exploring some of the parks in the area and checking out some of the industry roads to see where they go. Of note was the short lived attempt to try the winter road that ends up in La Loche, Saskatchewan. The road was rutted and wet so after a short distance we turned around. Day 3 was an epic day for me!
No motors allowed on this lake at Maqua Lake Provincial Park. Day one was the ride up to Fort McMurray, which was a lot of slab (highway) and very little dirt. The slab consisted of Highway 63 which was once known as the Fort McMurray 500, due to the speeds people drove on this highway. Now though, you will find the highway twinned into four lanes from the junction of 55 and 63 about 230 KMs south of Fort McMurray. You will see lots of Sheriffs and RCMP to ensure that speeds are closer to the posted speed limit.
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Our Alberta Touring Mag©
Riding up to the sand dunes north of Fort McMurray at the gates to the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road was an awesome experience and riding into the soft sand was amazing. Now, I did not go far as a heavy bike with improper tires was not the ticket to conquer this stretch, but give me an ATV or smaller dual sport bike and watch out! The Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland and Richardson Wildland Provincial Parks offer limitless exploring opportunities for those keen for adventure. When you see this area, you think of Morocco or some other foreign land but not Alberta, Canada! Words can not describe this area accurately, but think of the best beach sand going on for miles and miles, with
