Ecology

Willmore’s spectacular mountain peaks, rolling foothills, clear mountain streams, sparkling alpine lakes, grassy meadows and colourful wildflowers leave a lasting impression.  Willmore is located in the Rocky Mountain and Foothills natural regions.

• The foothills region occupies a small portion of Willmore along the Smoky River near the park’s northern border.  It consists of sandstone and shale ridges dominated by pine forests. 
• The remainder of the park is dominated by northwest–trending mountain ranges.  On the southwest-facing slopes in the Hoff, Berland and Persimmon ranges, dry winds have created grasslands bordered by trembling aspen.

Willmore’s climate is harsh, with long cold winters and cool wet summers.  The mean temperature is -11 degrees C in January and 10 degrees C in July.  Frost has been recorded in the park every month of the year.

Along Willmore’s southern and western borders, there are broad grassy flats along valley bottoms and subalpine forests on the slopes.  The predominant tree species are

• Lodgepole pine and white spruce at lower elevations
• Subalpine fir near tree line (occurring roughly at 2,000 metres)
• Scattered fir pockets sometimes extending into alpine meadows above tree line

There are exhilarating waterfalls and rapids scattered throughout Willmore on the Smoky, Berland, Wildhay, Sulphur, Jackpine and Muddywater rivers.  Except for the Smoky, all these rivers originate in the park.  Be familiar with cold water safety and tips for crossing streams and rivers.

• Willmore’s eastern rivers are relatively small and usually passable.  
• The western rivers are often impossible to cross safely, especially during periods of peak runoff.  This is a result of the greater snowfall and larger drainage basins of western Willmore. 

Glaciers are present on some of Willmore’s high mountains.  The most formidable glacier is the Resthaven Icefield, which extends into Willmore from Jasper National Park.

Wildlife

Willmore’s wildlife thrives in the natural surroundings of the park. 

• Grassy slopes provide excellent winter ranges for sheep and goats.  Almost 20% of Alberta’s mountain goats and 20% of the province’s bighorn sheep live in Willmore.
• The park is also home to woodland caribou, moose, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, cougars, wolves, wolverine and numerous small mammals.

Be familiar with wildlife safety for travel in Willmore.