| Ghost River Wilderness Area | |
|---|---|
  Location inAlberta | |
| Location | Bighorn No. 8,Canadian Rockies,Alberta, Canada |
| Nearest city | Canmore, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 51°21′12″N115°23′50″W / 51.3532403126°N 115.397148559°W /51.3532403126; -115.397148559 |
| Area | 153.2 km2 (59.14 sq mi) |
| Established | 1967 |
| Governing body | Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation |
| web | |
TheGhost River Wilderness Area is aprovincially designatedwilderness area in theCanadian Rockies ofAlberta protecting the headwaters of theGhost River.[2] It was established in 1967 and it, as one of the three wilderness areas of Alberta, has the strictest form of government protection available in Canada. All development is forbidden, and only travel by foot is permitted. Hunting and fishing are not allowed.[3] The other two wilderness areas areWhite Goat Wilderness Area andSiffleur Wilderness Area and together the three areas total 1,009.8882 square kilometres (249,548.80 acres).[4]
Situated west ofCalgary and borderingBanff National Park, the Ghost Wilderness spans the area north of theTrans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) along the eastern slope of theRocky Mountains up to theRed Deer River.[5] It lies just slightly north ofLake Minnewanka.[6] Mountains rise to 3,400 metres (11,000 ft). The area has rugged mountains, glacier-carved valleys, mountain lakes, and alpine meadows. There are two distinct vegetation zones. Above 2,100 metres (6,900 ft), thetree line, are grasses, sedges and wildflowers. Below that are subalpine forests of spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine. There are many rare species of butterflies. Animals includeBighorn Sheep, deer,moose,cougars, bears, wild horses, andtimber wolves.[2] The area is a world-class venue forice climbing.[6]
The area was also a filming location for the Academy Award-winning 1994 epic drama filmLegends of the Fall.
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