extra jello!
I recently had the privilege of teaching another session of the Whistler Adventure School Sustainable Trail Building program. I had been saving a short “missing connection” of the Dessert Platter for such an opportunity. You probably know the one: where you get shot down the FSR past 99’er to beaver pond. Together, we studied trail rating factors, effective terrain selection, using a clinometer, brushcutter, flagging for construction and all of the techniques to build a trail from scratch. We got the project off to a great start including pulling the stumps and building a bridge. The project was bigger than a quaint 4 student class could handle so we enlisted more help: I lined up the Sunday Morning volunteer diggers to get more meters done. Spicy Sports and Arbutus Routes sponsored the event and brought some of their team members to help remove the deepest red rot we’ve seen in a while. After refilling the trench (with rocks) and connecting the “dots” left by my students, we retired to a scenic spot for food and fizzy drinks. Matt from Arbutus had a surprise in store for the trail crew: he had been awarded a special EVOC package for our trail day featuring deluxe buckets, tools and a trail builder’s pack for the crew. The perfect accessory to carry chainsaws farther than ever in comfort and style! We wasted no time putting it to good use the very next day, traveling to Jane lakes (read below). As for the fresh segment: It’s not quite done yet. I’m saving its last few projects for the pro crew, later this fall (in case we get snowed out from working at higher elevation).
magical jane (lakes)
I had been planning this mission for August (when the huckleberries ripen) but the Danimals needed more love than I had anticipated. September up there isn’t bad though: there are less mosquitoes and the mushrooms are popping! We’re bridging seasonal wet spots and armoring roots where we see evidence of tire/pedal damage. It’s important to do everything we can to protect these majestic old growth trees. As Tall Michal cut into a log, the distinctive smell brought back memories of epic battles trying to produce anything resembling a decent piece of decking when we last built bridges in this area. This was Yellow Cedar. It dominates the jane lakes area and tends to burl, twist and curve as it grows; more so than its famous cousin (and the trail crew’s preferred wood supply) Western Red Cedar. “Let’s try this log and see… we can bring the (really) big saw tomorrow if splitting this doesn’t work” I was skeptical. Lo and behold: the first attempt made the most perfect board of the year! What a relief. So far, we’ve built 2 bridges with plans for a few more to add before the snow flies. I can’t believe I just typed that!
high hopes update
It sounds like the Cheakamus Community Forest crew is in the final cleanup of the Wedge Woods project and will be opening the trails back up shortly. WORCA and volunteers have spruced up the trail and it should ride better than ever albeit the scenery has somewhat changed. Please obey all signage as you rediscover riding in this slabby part of town. Trailside wood chipping and pile-burning will go on through the Fall. Thanks for your patience!
See you on the trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
