Trails Update: Aug 07, 2020
Stump pulling week at the Chipmunk Rebellion
“Never compromise the line” -Mike Hainault (Silverstar Bike Park trail boss)
Mike was in my first “biking crew” in the 90’s. I had a NORCO Rampage and Mike rode a KONA Hei Hei. We pushed our skills (and our bikes) on the rugged, janky hiking trails of the Gatineau Park until mountain biking was banned from there.
We were ski instructors at Camp Fortune. This made us hungry for bigger mountains, bigger snow and bigger money… Mike and I made the move out west in 1997.
Sadly, we couldn’t fit my drum kit in his Honda accord. Our bikes only made the trip a year later.
In life, opportunities come up and interests change.
Mike went to Silver Star and I eventually made it to Whistler. I guess the drum kit would have made hitch hiking more challenging.
Mike became a heli guide and I became a snowboarder. However, we both still have our 1992 bikes and somehow got into trail building professionally.
I’ve mentioned before that my favorite trail experience is getting a tour of a “new to me” trail from the builder.
I visited Mike while we were building Lord of the Squirrels. He was in the midst of constructing Beowulf through unbearably dense forest when he praised the sanctity of “the line”.
Great advice Mike. By the way: It’s your turn to visit...
All this to say that the crew went to great pains this week hacking, pulling and/or cutting through many stumps to keep the chipmunks “in line”.
Alpine is open!
As you know, the Sproatt mountain alpine trails are finally open and the wildflowers are totally wild!
FYI:Last weekend showcased some fast moving inclement weather and there was a Grizzly bear sighting at Rainbow lake on Monday.
Have a look at these guidelines, check trailforks and be ready for a big day in the backcountry. My friend Sylvie made a video about what she brings in her backcountry pack.
In the valley bottom, expect trail closures in the Cut Yer Bars area for fire thinning operations.
I’d like to make a shout out to Toby Salin and Ken Melamed for their tremendous volunteer efforts which gave me an awesome spicy after-work ride. I’m also grateful for hot granite and sticky rubber...
See you on the trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
