It was one of those rare moments when you can finally exhale after a potentially dangerous situations that was 100% without question, your own damn fault.
In the end, you pat yourself on the back, not just because you made it to safety, but you stumbled away with a somewhat embarrassing but a good story.
I spotted Fort Walsh on a map of Saskatchewan. I had read there were two ways to reach the site – from Maple Creek and another route through the community of Elkwood. I vaguely remember something about the preferred out when I drove from Medicine Hat in the morning.
It was only when I passed the “impassable when wet” sign did I realize my mistake.
But I wasn’t too concerned because the skies were blue and there was no sign of rain. I didn’t expect my drive to Fort Walsh to turn into a full-blown misadventure, but here we are.
A few minutes later ….
The road seemed fine until it wasn’t anymore. After a few kilometres of driving, I reached pockets of slick, muddy road. My wheels spun and spun, not liking the mucky muck so I slowed down to about 10 km/hour.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly like it was a lifeline avoiding several near misses of sliding down into the valley. I kept thinking no one knows I am here except for the cows who kept shooting me curious stares. Thankfully there was some cell reception so I could have called for help.
After much sheer terror and a few hail Marys, I reached the campground (Ranger station) where I was greeted by two rangers who congratulated me with a chuckle for successfully navigating the dry road that “nobody goes down.”
They assured me that I drove the worst of it, and I would soon hit pavement. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I simply drove on, Qashqai dust and mud covered, grateful, and toward Fort Walsh.
Have you ever found yourself on a road you probably shouldn’t have taken… and been glad you did? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
The image of you white-knuckling the wheel while a herd of unbothered cows just stare at you is honestly the perfect encapsulation of solo road trip chaos, they had front row seats to your entire ordeal and couldn’t have cared less! Missing that “impassable when wet” warning is such a classic case of blue skies giving false confidence, it’s easy to forget those signs exist for a reason until you’re the one sliding toward a valley at 10 km an hour. The rangers’ reaction made me laugh too, there’s something both reassuring and slightly terrifying about being told you survived “the road nobody goes down.” To answer your question, I once took a supposed shortcut through the mountains that turned into an hour of switchbacks with no cell service, but the views at the top made it worth every nervous minute. Glad you made it to Fort Walsh in one piece, mud and all!
Thank you for stopping by! Yes I still have nightmares about that trip lol