Trails Update: May 4th, 2023
More Powerline Repairs
The trail crew started the week on Hot Dog Alley, remediating the effects of more BC Hydro vegetation control. I can’t be too mad about this because the trail “appeared” there after the last round of brush cutting 7 or 8 years ago. The trail was covered in woody debris and many of the trail’s elaborate rock supporting walls were crushed. In some cases, the machinery displaced keystone boulders, forcing us to restart from scratch. It was a great way to refresh our rock Tetris skills.
Hot Dog alley, Scotia Nova and Danimal North are ready for tires!
Best Phys.Ed. Class Ever!
Next we headed to Delineator for another heavy machinery impact project. Last fall, phase 1 of fire thinning took place above the Rainbow neighborhood. When operating in steep terrain, the machines used to cut and chip the trees often need to use old logging spurs to get around. For Delineator, one such steep spur had some tight switchbacks that slalomed trees. Alas the trees are gone, the switchbacks were flattened, and what remains is a steep, straight logging road. With the help of 25 Whistler Secondary Outdoor Leadership Program students, we began a bypass through some typically difficult No-Flow zone terrain.
The fully benched contour line will add some flow heading north and alleviate the pain of the southbound climb. This project is to be continued next week.
“Hey Dan, what did you mean by “Phase 1” of fire thinning?” WORCA has just been notified that the next Phases will be going ahead this summer impacting… White Knuckles, Creamsicle, Rainbow, Anal Intruder, Lower Howler, and No View. We will help the RMOW spread information about specific trail closures. New work should get underway on May 15th so get your No Flow Zone fix ASAP… If that’s your cup of tea.
The whole zone is close to snow free so I’ll see you in there this week!
School Night Activity!
Finally, even more vegetation control related news: Tuesday Dig Nights are back! We’re building Flashback through the Cheakamus FSR fire break. Dave Burch Real Estate sponsored the season opener and we were blessed with great weather, easy digging and a special brew! It was great to see so many familiar faces as well as some of my new Cheakamus neighbors. Props to the volunteer caterers for deluxe hot dogs and candy!
Let’s do it again next week! To help us with food and drink planning, you need to sign up by noon on Tuesday for Volunteer Trail Nights here .
ps… Trails are pretty much snow-free to High Side and Cheakamus Lake parking lot
See you on the trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
