Ghost River Wilderness Area, Protected wilderness area in Bighorn, Canada
Ghost River Wilderness Area is a protected natural region on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, featuring mountain ridges, glacier-carved valleys, alpine meadows, and dense forests. The landscape displays multiple elevation zones with distinct vegetation types, from forest to open high meadows.
The area became protected in 1967 and ranks among Alberta's three wilderness areas with the highest conservation level in Canada. This early recognition shows how the government valued preserving this landscape decades ago.
The river valleys and high plateaus are home to bighorn sheep, moose, cougars, bears, and wild horses that roam freely across the land. These animals shape what visitors see and experience when they move through this region.
Access is only on foot, as vehicles are not permitted and trails are limited throughout the region. Hunting and fishing are prohibited to keep the natural environment intact.
Two distinct vegetation zones divide at roughly 2,100 meters elevation, with dense conifer forests below and open alpine meadows above the line. This sharp transition shows how quickly nature shifts with height.
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