Like a fold in a scrunched blanket, the hills of Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, lie first to gentle, treed 7,000-foot passes before climbing higher again to sharp granite ridges. Last summer, the Alberta government announced that it was allowing clear-cutting right in the heart of the region – justifying the move as a measure against the spread of the pine beetle.

Time Left

You’d better hurry. With clear-cutting (in hopes of creating treeless barriers to slow pine beetle migration) expected to start this summer, the government’s pine beetle reasoning presents an interesting Catch-22. In the contract with the sawmill, a clause states that if clear-cutting doesn’t slow down the spread of the beetles, then the loggers are to speed up their sawing – to clear more trees.

See It

To get informed look at the at-risk areas, pick up a copy of Craig and Kathy Copeland’s Where Locals Hike ($27.95) and choose any of the trails around Moose Mountain. For another great view, climb Jumpingpond Ridge. Bring your mountain bike for an unforgettable descent.

Save It

The Alberta Wilderness Association is taking action against the clear-cutting. Most vocal, however, is the Bragg Creek Residents’ Group, which boasts K-Country as its backyard.

This story was originally published in the June 2007 issue of up! magazine as part of the See It Before It’s Gone feature, profiling 11 of Canada’s must-see natural and man-made tourist attractions on the brink of extinction. Take a look at more of Canada's Endangered Destinations.