Chert is a colorful, hard stone used by ancient cultures for tools or for trade. Atop the Livingstone Range are shallow chert quarries worked by people of the Pelican Lake culture and their predecessors between 1,600 and 8,000 years ago. The quarries can be accessed by a challenging, 2.3km (each way) trail.

From the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre access road, take the gravelled road off the hairpin turn, across a cattleguard and up the hill, keeping right at the first junction and then turning left and then right onto the buried gas pipeline right-of-way (watch for the orange pipeline signs).  Although it is possible to drive further with a 4WD vehicle, it is best to park here.  Hike the steep road up the pipeline right-of-way to the windswept pass at the crest of the Livingstone Range, then make your way 0.5km south along the ridge crest to the base of the large electrical transmission tower. The quarries are found on the bench overlooking the Frank Slide about 50 to 100m southwest of the tower. 

The quarries themselves are unimpressive scoops in the ground, but chert is a very attractive stone with colors including white, pink, purple, red, brown and blue-black.  Apart from its appearance, ancient peoples valued its smooth faces and sharp edges which could be worked into effective tools for hunting animals and working hides.  This will become obvious as you run your fingers over the surface of the many chert stones lying about, but please leave them where they are for others to enjoy.

After taking in the panoramic views of the Frank Slide and Crowsnest River valley to the southwest, the Livingstone Range to the north, and the foothills to the east, return to your car the way that you came.

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