The Racehorse Pass is one of only five remaining ATV accessible passes South of Banff. But this pass is now  permanently closed due to the lack of enforcement in BC and a significant number of riders observed in closed areas. In fact, we may be very close to losing all remaining passes.

Stewardship oriented clubs like ours may be the only hope for turning that around.

The Racehorse Pass trail emerges on the BC side into the Alexander Creek Access Management Area (AMA). An AMA defines a region closed to motorized access except for designated access routes. Specifically, Racehorse pass is open to ATVs until Sep 1, except one fork at West end of the trail which is closed all season (see map).

Westbound, at the west end of the Pass, users will encounter locked yellow gates well into the BC side (see "locked" on map above). These gates are also augmented with signs which clearly indicate that the road is closed.

People have been riding around these gates; see track to left in the photo. Our club asks that you please comply with this closure, and that you take the time to explain the closure to anyone you might meet on the trail. The reputation of all ATV riders in both provinces and the future of access in other sensitive areas depends on our actions here!

Note that there is an approved and legal route around these gates, and it's actually a much more interesting ride (see map above). When coming over the pass from the Alberta side, turn back from the gates then turn northward. The trail turns west, then north, and then west again eventually connecting to the main trail (road).

The top of the Pass at the AB border is not gated but it is well signed (please keep an eye on the trees, see photo below). Please help us communicate this closure and the importance of compliance to other users you may meet on the trail.

There is also significant abuse of the basin / valley immediately South of the Racehorse Pass summit by ATV access into a fragile and unique alpine ecosystem (see photo below, see "Delmas" on map above). This sort of activity also jeopardizes the pass remaining open to motorized access in the future. Alpine flora can take 100's of years to establish, erosion and soil compaction are significant concerns at high elevations.

To get a better sense of why these closures exist, please view our "Alexander Creek AMA" page.