Enjoy the rugged surroundings of Hinton, a town with a population of 10,000. Located 80 km (50 mi) east of Jasper townsite and 290 km (180 mi) west of Edmonton, Hinton is a 'gateway to the Rockies'. It's a 15 minute drive to the east gates of Jasper National Park and a 45 minute drive to a soothing soak at Miette Hot Springs.

Hinton Information Centre, 1-877-446-8666 / www.hinton.ca, is on the south side of Hwy 16 at 309 Gregg Ave. In town are hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, RV sites, Hinton Centre Campground, many restaurants and a full complement of services. Outdoor fun and recreation activities for the whole family can be enjoyed within the community and its vicinity.

There is abundant camping outside of town—provincial campgrounds include William A Switzer Park. West Fraser Mills Ltd, 780-865-2154, maintains recreation sites, campgrounds and trails throughout its Forest Management area.

In the early 1800s, trappers seeking furs arrived to what is now Hinton via the Athabasca River. Like the First Nations people, they lived off the land. Hunting and fishing is a tradition that continues in the vast wilds around Hinton—game includes moose, elk and deer. Obtain permits if you plan to hunt or fish, and consider hiring a local guide.

Mining and logging started shortly after the trappers arrived, and today (alongside tourism), Hinton’s economy relies on the coal, oil and gas, and forest industries. At the west end of town behind McDonald’s, the Natural Resources Interpretive Park has forestry demonstration, mine reclamation and wildland/urban interface exhibits, plus trails, picnic area, playground, lookout, arboretum and wetlands.

At the Hinton Training Centre on Switzer Dr is the Alberta Forest Service Museum, 852-8200. Walk the 1.3 km (.8 mi) interpretive trail, and visit free log cabin exhibits on forest care and early ranger services Mon-Fri 8:15 am-4:30 pm; closed noon-1 pm. Also on Switzer Dr, Hinton Pulp Mill, 865-8586, offers tours Mon-Fri through Aug, at 1:30 pm. Twenty km (12 mi) north of Hinton on Hwy 40 is Athabasca Tower forestry lookout with a great view. Three km (1.8 mi) farther in William A Switzer Park is Jarvis Lake with camping, picnic sites and Kelly’s Bathtub swimming area. Continue north to a series of five lakes and trout streams popular for fishing, boating and camping.

Seventeen km (11 mi) north-east of Hinton along Emerson Creek gravel road is 1.5 km (1 mi) Canyon Creek Trail with plunging river scenery. Forty km (24 mi) farther, visit Wild Sculpture and Sundance Creek Trail hoodoos. Thirty-two km (21 mi) southwest of Hinton, is 6 km (4 mi) Pine Management Trail for mountain bikers and ATV users on the historic 1911 Gregg Cabin site. North on Hwy 40 near Brule Lake, Ogre Canyon is a deep cleft in the mountain with impressive sinkholes—the trail rises by switchback to 900 m (3000 ft) over the Athabasca River Valley.

Forty-five km (30 mi) south of Hinton is the small town of Cadomin—4 km (2.5 mi) farther is the trailhead to Cadomin Cave, a popular adventure destination. The 1.5 hour hike to the cave ascends 300 m (984 ft) and can be muddy. Bring proper clothing and take safety precautions. The cave is closed Sept 1-Apr 30 to protect its resident bats.

Hinton outfitters include:
• Canadian Rockies Adventures, 865-7380, runs small group, half and full day, and overnight ATV tours on scenic foothill trails from $185.
• Inroads Mountain Sports, 817-1512, offers rock climbing and Cadomin Cave tours.
• Wolflandtours, 817-2562, guides Hoodoo Trail and other hikes ($100 day), and offers canoe tours (from $150 day).
• Royal Coachman Eco Tours, 865-6200, offers bike rentals, and guides bike tours, fly-fishing, historic Coal Branch tours and hikes.
• Mountain Country Outfitters, 817-5255, offers guided fishing (half day $270, $320 full day; 2 people).
• Rocky Mountain Fishing Adventures, 865-5608, trips are half day $250, $350 full day; 2 people.

From Hinton/Jasper Airport, 12 km (7 mi) west of town, High Country Helicopters, 1-877-777-4354, offers specta-cular flightseeing from $189 and guided heli-hikes from $498—Columbia Icefield and Mt Robson trips are popular. Air Jasper, 865-3616, airplane tours are from $195.

Golfers enjoy the mountain backdrop and serene tree-lined fairways of the 'Enchanted Forest'—the Hinton Golf Club, 1-866-666-2904. There's sand on 16 holes, water on six, three tee positions and a log-built clubhouse. Signature holes are #3 'Rear View' for its mountain vista, and 'The Summit' #11 that's the highest point on the course. At $43 ($45 Sat/Sun) green fees are a bargain—golf 9 holes for $23.

Yellowhead Raceway, 865-2777, Hwy 40 south of Hwy 16, hosts hobby and street stock car races on a 3/8 mile clay oval most summer weekends.

Dr Duncan Murray Recreation Centre, 805 Switzer Dr, 865-4412, has ice arenas, pool, steam room, hot tub, Jacuzzi, racquetball, squash, skateboard park and playground. Hinton also has tennis courts, a curling rink, sports fields and 18 km (11 mi) of trails for walking, running or cycling. Unique local stores and national retailers can be found at Parks West Mall, Hardisty Shopping District and Green Square.

Hinton is host to events year round, including these this summer:
• Thursdays Farmer’s Market, 11 am-2 pm
• June 2-3 Mountainview Triathlon/Duathlon (865-1128)
• July 1 Canada Day parade and Föhn Festival multi-cultural experience. Fireworks (June 30)
• July 20-21 World famous Lipizzaner Stallions
• Aug 3-6 Mary Reimer Rodeo
• Sept 8-9 MS Bike Tour
• Sept 14 United Way 24 Hour Ball Tournament.

GEO HUNT
Find Hinton geocache sites, located at viewpoints, trailheads and historic sites. Take something, leave something and sign the logbook. The Information Centre has GPS coordinates.

Publication Date: 6/2007