CLOUDBURST

Roofed Accommodation in Provincial Parks

Visit to Nuk Tessli

Exploring Melvin and Lost Creeks

Club Profile: North Shore Hikers

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FEDERATION OF MOUNTAIN CLUBS OF B.C www.mountainclubs.bc.ca Fall 2005

Club Membership Cloudburst Please contact the FMCBC office to receive a list of clubs that belong to the FMCBC (See back cover). Membership is $15 per annum per member- ship when a member of a FMCBC Club. Cloudburst is published semi-annually by the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC. Individual Membership Publication/Mail sales Agreement # 102202. Membership for individuals is $20 per year. Printed by Hemlock Printers. Circulation 3500. Printed on 50% PCW, 100% recycled, Processed Members of More Than One FMCBC Club Chlorine Free When people join a member club of the FMCBC the $15 FMCBC membership fee is calculated as part of the club membership. People who have Articles: We welcome articles which inform our read- memberships in more than one FMCBC member ers about mountain access, recreation, and conservation club are entitled to a $15 refund for each “extra” issues or activities in B.C. Don’t limit yourself to prose: membership on request. If you don’t request a re- photographs and poems also accepted. Pieces should not fund you are entitled to a tax receipt for the extra exceed 1,000 words. membership fees. To request either a refund or a

tax receipt please send the request, in writing, to the Submission Deadlines: FMCBC. Fall/Winter - Oct 15

Spring/Summer - April 15 Board of Directors

Advertising: The FMCBC invites advertising or classi- President: Pat Harrison (VOA) fied advertising that would be useful to our members. Vice President: Peter Rothermel (IMR, ACC-VI) Secretary: vacant Rates: Treasurer: Don Morton (ACC-VI) $400 back page $300 full page Directors: Lesley Bohm (NSH), Paul Chatterton $160 ½ page $80 ¼ page (Ind), Richard Keltie (ACC-Van), Dave King (CR, $40 business card ACC-PG), Bill Perry (IMR), Ken Rodonets (CDMC), Manrico Scremin (ACC-Van) Editor/Production: Meg Stanley ([email protected]) Committee Co-Chairs Copy-editor: Tammy Marlowe ([email protected]) Recreation and Conservation: Sandra Nicol, vacant Advertising: Evan Loveless ([email protected]) Trails: Pat Harrison, Alex Wallace Staff FMCBC Executive Director: Evan Loveless Bookkeeper: Kathy Flood The Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia (FMCBC) is a non-profit organization representing the For More Information interests of non-mechanized hikers and climbers, and outdoor clubs throughout British Columbia. The www.mountainclubs.bc.ca FMCBC 1) addresses mountain access, recreation, and PO Box 19673, Vancouver British Columbia conservation issues; 2) coordinates, builds, and main- V5T 4E7 tains hiking and mountain access trails throughout B.C. Tel: 604-873-6096 Fax: 604 873 6086 through its member clubs; and 3) promotes outdoor edu- Email: [email protected] cation and safety. Membership in the FMCBC is open to any individual or group interested in non-mechanized Cover Photograph outdoor activities, and access, recreational, and conser- North face of Mt. Robson from Berg Lake Campground. vation concerns. Tina Loo, 2005.

areas by doing local advocacy and trail President’s Message maintenance. I doubt that the majority of the Pat Harrison non-motorized community is aware of the necessary role the Federation of Mountain Clubs Organizations such as the Federation of Mountain and its affiliate clubs play in maintaining some of Clubs are only as successful as their volunteers. the backcountry in a pristine condition through I want to acknowledge some of these volunteers. their advocacy and participation in various Land First of all, a thank you must go to Manrico Resource Management Planning processes. Scremin of the Alpine Club of Canada – Vancouver Section for volunteering to head up the Federation One of the items that I would like to address this as President for the past three years. Taking charge year is better coordination between the Federation of an organization is never an easy task and it of Mountain Clubs and its affiliate members. requires a significant amount of personal time, We established the online listserv several years ago energy and money to fill this role. We wish to facilitate better flow of information between the Manrico well in his “retirement. Secondly, there FMC and its clubs, and between clubs. I feel we are the volunteers from the various clubs who serve need to promote our clubs in a better fashion. on the Board of Directors, the Recreation and We are currently looking at some options to get the Conservation Committee (Rec and Con), and on the word out about the 20 clubs that make up the Trails Committee. Some of these people serve on federation. I am also heading up a small task force more than one of these committees in an effort to looking at the delegate/director relationship, which serve their particular club well. There are presently has its challenges. It seems to me that each club 10 directors, approximately 10 regulars on the should have a delegate, and from the delegates, Recreation and Conservation Committee, and directors should be elected. In this manner, the approximately the same on the Trails Committee. directors who have led the Federation would have a say (a vote) at the Annual General Meeting. For the past three years, Mike Peel of the BC Currently, our constitution states that only Mountaineering Club and Shane Koscielniak of the delegates can vote at an Annual General Meeting. Klister Outdoor Klub have headed up the Rec and By selecting our directors from this group, the Con Committee. This entails rounding up the directors would still be delegates and be able to members each month, putting agenda items vote at the AGM. From the directors, the executive together, coordinating the committee, and lastly, can then be elected at the AGM by the elected getting the minutes done in time for the next directors (the current process). meeting. Both Mike and Shane have now stepped down and Sandra Nicol of the Varsity Outdoor The Board of Directors is still working on the Club has stepped forward to help coordinate the disposition of the Smoke Bluffs in Squamish. Rec and Con Committee. For the Trails Committee, Manrico Scremin and Evan Loveless continue to Alex Wallace as the main Co-Chair and has done represent the Federation in the negotiating process the same. The board and the committees play with the District of Squamish, which wants to in- distinct, but equally important roles. The Board clude the land in a new Smoke Bluffs Park. What is coordinates overall policies of the Federation and of paramount importance is the preservation of keeps an eye on the finances. The Rec and Con access to the “Bluffs” and trails for climbers and Committee is the main coordinating body for doing hikers. If we allow the access to the Smoke Bluffs advocacy for the Federation, while the Trails to be utilized for other purposes, then all the effort Committee tries to coordinate the Adopt-A-Trail pursued by the federation and those who gave so programme which includes both building and generously in the late 1980s will be for not. We maintaining trails in coordination with government want to ensure access in perpetuity. and private land owners. In addition, there are the many, many volunteers of the clubs who continue The FMC continues to work on many issues. In to serve the non-motorized communities in their order to better involve our member clubs,

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 3 Evan Loveless, our Executive Director, proposed a We decided it would be good to try and attract new format for the Annual General Meeting hosted more member clubs from around the province. We by the Alpine Club of Canada – Vancouver Island also talked about the FMCBC name and whether it Section last June near Victoria. The usual business should be changed. We decided to keep the core was carried out in the morning. In the afternoon, name and brand Federation of Mountain Clubs or four workshops were run with two streams running FMC, but drop the BC unless we are using the simultaneously. All sessions were well attended name extra-provincially. Some discussion on club with great participation. membership ensued and ideas on attracting and keeping members were shared. FMC Smoke Bluffs As the new President for this year, I invite your lands at Squamish and the proposed Smoke Bluff comments. Please email me your concerns, your Park were also discussed. ideas, and your comments on what the Federation of Mountain Clubs is doing. My email is: Saturday evening we were treated to a delicious [email protected]. Please have patience with dinner put on at Dunsmuir Lodge. After dinner we my response time as I work full time and had an informative and entertaining slide show by sometimes I am slightly delayed in responding. Lindsay Elms about the history of mountaineering on Vancouver Island. Lindsay has put together a Have a great winter, write a politician about your definitive and informative history of Vancouver backcountry concerns, and I hope to see many of Island mountaineering in his recent book you this coming year. Beyond Nootka, which he had available for sale and signing.

Annual On Sunday a group hiked up Mt Arrowsmith, led General Meeting by Peter Rothermel. The group chose to take the Evan Loveless, Executive Director Judges route up and down. The hike was fairly well attended with 12 people participating. After we summited, Richard Keltie and I decided to descend The 2005 Federation of Mountain Clubs Annual via the main gully for a change of scenery. It turned General Meeting was held June 10-12 in Victoria. out to be a great option except I think Richard This year the AGM was hosted by the Alpine Club wishes he had brought his gloves. of Canada – Vancouver Island Section at the

Dunsmuir Lodge Training and Conference Centre. A special thanks to Sasha Kubicek (ACC-VI) and The weekend kicked off on Friday evening with a Peter Rothermel for helping to organize the AGM meet-and-greet social and a presentation about Mt and to everyone who helped and participated. Arrowsmith by Peter Rothermel.

Saturday had a packed agenda, with the business AGM Workshop Summaries meeting in the morning and workshops and a At this year’s AGM we ran four different strategy session in the afternoon. This year we workshops to focus ideas and work on important decided to host four specific workshops (see below) FMC issues and projects. The workshop topics to give the AGM a mini-conference feel and make were Roofed Accommodation in Provincial Parks, it more attractive to members. We hope to continue Access Related Issues, National Hiking Trail Route with this model for future AGMs. on Vancouver Island and Trails Management. These topics were decided on at the last Island After the workshops everybody re-convened for a Delegates meeting. Each workshop was one hour FMC strategy session, where major issues and and had great participation and dialogue. The FMC direction and priorities were discussed. Apart workshops were grouped into two streams that ran from important Rec and Con issues, road/trail concurrently. Manrico Scremin moderated the access and general trails projects were identified as Rec and Con stream and Pat Harrison moderated priorities for the FMC in the coming year. the Trails stream. Thanks to Manrico and Pat for

4 Cloudburst – November 2005 their help and to the participants for providing great National Hiking Trail Route input. These workshops will help focus FMC work in the upcoming years. on Vancouver Island The purpose of this workshop was to help

determine the route the National Hiking Trail will The following are summaries of the workshops: take on Vancouver Island. Not to be confused with

the Trans Canada Trail, the National Hiking Trail is Roofed Accommodation in exactly what the name implies: a hiking- only trail Provincial Parks crossing the country. Most of the route across The provincial government has clearly stated its mainland BC has already been identified and in desire to expand the presence of “roofed accommo- some cases already developed. It is expected that dation” in Provincial Parks. “Roofed accommoda- the route will go up the Sunshine Coast to Powell tion” could include anything from simple, free River. From there, hikers would take the ferry shelters, to modest mountain huts run by clubs, to across to Comox. The general consensus is that the expensive lodges run by commercial interests. Island route would align from the Comox ferry Participants at this workshop discussed the issues terminal to Cumberland. From Cumberland it and options for accommodation in parks. A matrix would go down the Beaufort Range to the Log was developed around types of accommodation/ Train Trail and the Alberni Valley. The route buildings and park zones e.g. frontcountry, would then work its way to Lake Cowichan and backcountry, wilderness etc. Guiding principles then south to hook up to the Galloping Goose Trail. were developed from the workshop. For a draft of The group also expressed an interest in having a these see the table on p. 6-7. trail that takes a route down the eastern side of the

G Island linking urban areas. The feasibility of exact o r

d routes will need to be determined. Island represen- o n

tatives are encouraged to join Hike BC and help D u

n plan the trail. See www.nationaltrail.ca/ h a

m homepageenglish.htm for more information about the National Hiking Trail.

Trails Management Participants at this workshop discussed topics Access Related Issues Mt. Ashlu related to trails management and preservation Restricted access to hiking, climbing, including: permitting, building, maintenance, and and backcountry ski areas is becoming an evaluation and tracking of trail conditions. Seven increasingly important issue. More and more of the goals or objectives were developed in the logging roads we use have locked gates, are workshop: 1) Establish an inventory to document decommissioned, or are simply left to deteriorate. wilderness roads that are deteriorating; 2) Establish A different but related issue is the proliferation of an inventory and mapping of significant trails so commercial tenures on public land being issued by the FMC is in a better position to protect and the former Land and Water BC. Workshop manage them; 3) Publish more brochures such as participants helped articulate an action plan for the the Nootka Island Trail brochure; 4) Create a set of FMC to address these important issues. Participants trails standards for development and maintenance; expressed a desire for the FMC to take a much 5) Develop web site like the Washington Trails stronger role in access issues. For issues involving society (www. wta.org); 6) Network with other forest companies, the FMC may need to look to organizations like mountain bike clubs and certification standards such as Canadian Standards associations; and 7) Help FMC clubs to get funding Association and Forest Stewardship Council, which for trails work by taking advantage of our have requirements for recreation access and charitable status. preservation.

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 5 Roofed Accommodation in BC Parks Draft FMC Guiding Principles

The following draft guiding principles will form the basis for a new FMC policy regarding roofed accom- modation. The term “hut” will be used in this document to refer to roofed accommodation.

Principles Implications

1. New huts within BC Provincial Parks should only be Park Management Plans will have to be developed before considered for those parks that have Park Management any new huts should be considered. Plans in place. 2. Any new hut within a park must be consistent with that The FMC should participate actively in the development park’s Management Plan. of Park Management Plans for any park where people might hike 3. The evaluation of proposals for new roofed Proposals for new huts will ultimately be reviewed on a accommodation must be a fair and open process. case-by-case basis. Stakeholders such as the FMC must be given reasonable opportunities to comment on all proposals. 4. New commercial, (i.e., for profit) lodges or other roofed No commercial accommodation should be permitted in accommodation should only be considered for locations the backcountry of any provincial park. that have existing paved road access.

5. Resort style hotels or lodges (e.g., with pools, tennis No resort style accommodation should be permitted in any courts, golf courses, or other similar amenities) are not to provincial park. be built in any location in any park. 6. New huts should only be considered for the purpose of New huts will only be considered for areas that are resolving existing environmental issues in the specific already heavily used. area caused by high use of that area. In particular, huts will not be built for the sole purpose of improving access to an area 7. Any proposal for a new hut must include a specific plan We must avoid the situation where a club builds a hut and for the on-going maintenance and operation of the then abandons it or does not maintain it properly. One of structure. The Maintenance Plan must include a plan for the following scenarios are most likely to occur: funding the maintenance work in perpetuity. This is

includes a funding plan for periodic major repairs. • Clubs commit t long term maintenance of huts for which a higher fee (e.g., $15-$25 per night) can be charged. That fee will fund the maintenance work • The park will have to commit to maintaining the more basic structures that include minimal or no fees. This is mostly likely will include stand-alone outhouses (at campsites) and very basic lean-tos. Parks is unlikely to commit to maintaining en- closed huts such as the one at Wedgemount Lake in Garibaldi Park.

6 Cloudburst – November 2005 Roofed Accommodation in BC Parks FMC Guiding Principles Continued

Principles Implications

8. New huts may be locked (or be staffed by a custodian) Clubs may build huts that restrict access to people who with access provided only to people with prior have made prior reservations. Reservations must be reservations. However any such accommodation must be available to club members and non-members. There may available, at a reasonable cost, to the general public. be a difference in member and non-member fee rates. However the difference must be relatively small so that it is not perceived to be a barrier to usage by non-members. 9. The planning for and design of new huts must take into New huts have to be well planned, taking into account account the following: several considerations.

• Net environmental impact: there must be a net en- vironmental benefit to the area. i.e., no motorized access to huts is to be permitted in areas designated as non-motorized. (Fly-in access for maintenance work will be required for all huts, even those in non-motorized areas.) • Trails leading to huts: The maintenance and possible upgrading of access trails must be considered as part of the plans for any new hut • Future removal: the design should consider the long term impact to the site if the hut were to be removed at some point in the future

Hut system considerations: The planning for a new hut should be done in the context of the overall area. E.g., in some cases a system of two or more huts will be better than a single, larger hut.

Shelters from left to right: Wheaton Hut, Strathcona Provincial Park, M. Stanley; Tent, Rearguard Campground, Mt. Robson Provincial Park, T. Loo; Wendy Thompson Hut, Marriott Basin, M. Stanley

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 7 Recreation and Conservation Committee Report Pat Harrison and Sandra Nicol

The FMC Recreation and Conservation Committee Creek (high value, low use), Downton Creek north, (Rec and Con) is gearing up for another season of centre, and south branches (high value, low use), advocacy. Ongoing issues include backcountry Spider Creek, Machute Creek, Copper Creek, resort and mechanized tenure proposals, the Cinnamon Creek, East of Mt Rohr (high value, high potential impact of proposed commercial lodges use), Gott Creek (high value, medium use), and associated motorized activity in Provincial Prospector Peaks (high value, medium use), Parks, and Provincial Land and Resource Whitecap Peak and Creek (high value, low use). Management Plans (LRMPs). The roofed accommodation guidelines that were established at Sea-to-Sky Backcountry the AGM will be reviewed by the Rec and Con Committee and developed into a FMC policy. Forums Update As we go to press, the BC Government is asking

that we reconvene the winter and summer After several years of Chairing the Rec and Con backcountry forums. On the winter side, the BC Committee both Mike Peel (BCMC) and Shane government wants us to get the backcountry Koscielniak (KOK, BCMC) have stepped down. educational signs for the Sea-to-Sky Corridor up Sandra Nicol (VOC) has agreed take on the before winter. It appears that the government is position of Co-Chair for this year and we are still willing to put in a few thousand dollars to make looking for another Co-Chair. If anyone is sure we have a sufficient number of educational interested and has the time to contribute to this signs. It may also assist with the production of important committee please contact Pat Harrison. brochures to give to winter recreationists to explain A big thanks to Mike and Shane for their the planning process. contributions over the past years. And thanks to

Sandra for stepping up to the challenge. Following On the summer side, a few outstanding issues is a partial list of the issues and projects the Rec require resolution. We need to finalize the language and Con Committee has and will be addressing. in the summer forum as well as recheck some of the

suggested zoning boundaries. The summer forum’s Coast Range Heli-skiing Tenures work was done in six months while the winter Coast Range Heliskiing Ltd. applied in June 2005 forum work took place over a three year period. to Land and Water BC for a commercial heli-skiing, heli-hiking, and heli-fishing tenure for a The government is also willing to support the large area surrounding the Duffey Lake Road and website of the backcountry forum as a public Seton Portage. Some of the areas included are high education tool. New LRMP maps have been value backcountry skiing terrain (e.g. Steep Creek). produced and these need to be uploaded to the Other areas border high value terrain and/or would website. At the end of November, the original table affect high value terrain through helicopter noise. members of the LRMP are supposed to be briefed The application maps can be viewed on the Land on the status of the Sea-to-Sky LRMP. I look and Water BC website, application number forward to attending this session and reporting back 3410470. The FMC will be working with the to federation members. proponent and the province on this issue, especially in those areas deemed non-motorized. A list of areas included in the application, with my Juliet Creek Resort Proposal assessment of their relative values as ski terrain and The expression of interest for the Juliet Creek current level of use, follows: Steep Creek (high Resort Proposal near Coquihalla Summit (as re- value, high use), Haylmore Creek, Lost Valley ported in the previous Cloudburst) has been

8 Cloudburst – November 2005 approved. The proponent, Westscapes Develop- various helicopter and fixed-wing carriers. This has ment Inc., is now preparing its formal proposal. been going on for many years, however the activity This 8897-hectare resort will be located in the seems to be increasing and the flights getting lower. vicinity of Juliet Creek and Upper Coldwater River The FMC is concerned about this trend and will and will have a controlled recreation area that will address the issue as best it can. Several thousand extend south as far as Zoa and Bighorn-Alpaca- hikers use the North Shore Mountains and trails Llama Peaks (see BCGS map sheet 93H.065/.075). every year and helicopter activity has a definite This area is very valuable to non-motorized impact on their experience. recreationists and the general public. FMC has sent letters and met with representatives of the former Morice LRMP LWBC to express our concerns over the size and FMC members in the Smithers area are working on scale of the development and its encroachment on an issue where the local snowmobile club is not existing recreational use. We will continue to respecting a non-motorized area designated in the monitor this potential development. FMC also Morice LRMP. The snowmobile club had agreed to plans to host a workshop (see Land Use Workshop this area designation and signed off on the LRMP. below) to map and inventory recreation values and Now the club has changed its mind and is calling impacts by other activities in the Coquihalla and for the LRMP to be re-opened as it is not happy Chilliwack areas. with the outcome. The area in question is one of a few non-motorized areas designated in the LRMP Land Use Workshop and an area of high value to non-motorized At the last Rec and Con meeting the committee recreationists. The issue has the potential of recommended that the FMC sponsor a land use undermining the LRMP process around the strategy workshop for Chilliwack and the Province. The local ACC is asking FMC members Coquihalla area. Such a workshop would look at and the public to send letters to local and provincial desired recreation/tourism uses, areas of high officials expressing concern over this issue. Contact priority for non-motorized recreation, and a the ACC-Prince George section for more info. possible zoning system. This session would emulate the work that was done prior to the Sea- to-Sky backcountry forums. Both these areas are experiencing pressures from various tourism/ recreation activity and proposals. Anyone who has experience with these areas and is interested in contributing to this process please contact the FMC office or reply to the Rec and Con listserv ([email protected]).

Helicopter Activity on the North Shore Seracs on the Robson Glacier, 2005. Ed Johnston This summer groups of hikers and picnickers were Enbridge Gateway Project, flown into the Goat Ridge area by a local helicopter Edmonton to Kitimat operation. The FMC has received several The proposed pipeline route for the Enbridge complaints regarding these flights and continues to Gateway project from Edmonton to Kitimat has the investigate what can be done to deal with this potential to impact backcountry recreation situation. There has also been promotion for new throughout northern BC. FMC members will be heli-hiking and heli-picnicking in the North Shore attending workshops to provide input and express Mountains by Grouse Mountain Resort Ltd. We concerns about the project. Visit have also received complaints regarding over www.enbridge.com/gateway for more information. flights of the Lions and Crown Mountain by

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 9 Trails Committee Report Pat Harrison and Alex Wallace

Lions Bay Access Resolution BC Parks is seeking a major 2010 legacy funding The FMC has successfully negotiated parking at the agreement VANOC to get an overdue and compre- Lions Bay Elementary School on weekends and hensive Howe Sound Crest Trail rebuild (possibly holidays, and has completed a hiking trail from the including replacing the decrepit mountain shelters) school’s gravel ‘overflow’ parking lot to the Sunset with the help of the Federation of Mountain Clubs. Drive Lions trailhead through the forest. The FMC We hope this project will soon be up and running. received a positive front-page article in Lions Bay’s We will keep members updated on this project. newspaper, the Seagull. Thanks to Alex Wallace, Bill Sims, Gabriel and Suzanne Mazoret, and Pat Comox Glacier Trail and Access Harrison for all their efforts in building the new Timber West is planning cut blocks in the upper trail section. In total there now is parking for about Comox Creek area adjacent to Strathcona Park. 60 cars on weekends (see following report by Pat Logging in this area could seriously affect the Harrison for a complete report). Comox Glacier Trail and has the potential to destroy it all together. The trail is an important Adopt-A-Trail access to Strathcona Park and the mountains around The FMC Trails Committee is planning to restart Comox and Cliffe Glaciers. Established in 1911, the popular Adopt-A-Trail Program. The first task Strathcona Park is BC’s oldest park and hikers and with this initiative will be to update who the Club mountaineers have been accessing this area of the Trail coordinators and individual trail volunteers park since the 1920’s. The FMC is working with are. Please contact Pat Harrison the Comox District Mountaineering Club (CDMC) ([email protected]) with this information for and other Island clubs to address this issue with your club so we can update what trails are being TimberWest. maintained and which trails need work. TimberWest Road Closures Cypress Park Developments TimberWest has been initiating road closures dur- FMC and Friends of Cypress have helped plan the ing working hours, significantly restricting access re-route of the Baden Powell Trail around the 2010 to trails and routes beyond Comox Lake. They also Olympic venues and mountain bike park etc. The want groups like the CDMC to pay for an access new B-P Trail section will use part of the Yew permit and carry costly forest fire liability Lake Trail (rebuilt by FMC twelve years ago) and insurance in case a member starts a forest fire while switchback up through second growth forest to accessing the Comox Glacier. During the week a Cabin Lake. A temporary Black Mountain access security guard stops vehicles to check for permits. route is planned while construction is underway However, on the weekends there is no security over the next few years. guard and the road is wide open to the public.

Meanwhile funding that had been secured for trail Sea-to-Sky Highway Upgrade projects on the top of Black Mountain (as an- The new Sunset Trail parking and access is on track nounced by BC Parks this past summer) seems to and expected to be opened in 2006. Highways has be put on hold. FMC Trails Committee will be committed to a new 30-car parking lot on the east following up on this ‘promising’ situation with side of the highway at Deeks Lake/Porteau Cove. Parks and the Vancouver Organizing Committee The location and design is still unclear as there is for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter an impending development proposed for this area Games (VANOC). (see below).

10 Cloudburst – November 2005 Deeks Lake/Porteau Cove Developments The FMC has learned there are plans for a major development in the Deeks Lake/Porteau Cove area by the Squamish First Nation with Concord Pacific as the contractor. Details on this project are not yet available, but we will monitor the issue. Farther south along the the highway, trails in the Deeks Bluffs/Deeks Creek area have already been logged and access may be unclear. The FMC has decided to focus its efforts on maintaining access to the Deeks Lake/Howe Sound Crest Trail access, which seems in everyone’s interest — including BC Parks. BC Parks and Ministry of Highways is aware of the situation and will be working with the developers (along with the FMC) to resolve access concerns.

Other notes • Alex Wallace, June Binkert, and various MEC staff members have worked on trails in Mount Seymour Park. A couple of local clubs have expressed interest in adopting the Nootka Trail, Summer 2005, Lorrie Lech. Mt Seymour main trail.

The FMC proposal for enhanced Brew Lake access • Gabriel Mazoret and Evan Loveless contin- via Brandywine Park will not go ahead. We are ued to monitor the development of the Dis- waiting to see the feasibility study for the Sea-to- trict of North Vancouver Alpine Recreation Sky Trail route before we progress on this issue. In Strategy. The District has been reviewing the the meantime, a new spur road now intersects Brew use and construction of trails and receiving summer trail higher up off the Brew Main; input from various user groups, including the however, this road may become washed out due to FMC, as part of a land use planning process. poor drainage. The Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC) A final plan is expected to be made public has access to a gate key for Brew Main. Members soon. can contact the VOC for further information. The VOC have put in a new trail at Roe Creek provid- • Roy Howard and fellow Fraser Headwater ing alternate winter/summer access to Mt. Brew. Alliance members have completely brushed out the Goat River Trail. The Goat River The court case filed against the Province by the Trail is part of the National Hiking Trail in Municipality of West Vancouver regarding the BC. highway construction at Eagle Ridge has been thrown out of court. Plans for the Eagleridge • The Trails Committee is planning to section of the Baden Powell Trail are expected to re-publish the Bus-to-Trails brochure. Robert move ahead as planned in 2006. This will include a Batt of the North Shore Hikers has re-routing of about 400 m of the Trail, with a volunteered to take on this project. If anyone footbridge for hikers, where the new highway will has suggestions or input for this brochure obliterate existing sections. Planning meetings for please contact us. this section of highway will start in January 2006.

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 11 Lillooet Icefield, Manrico Scremin

In addition to hiking, the club’s activities have Club Profile expanded to include cycling, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and backpacking. In the winter, North Shore Hikers snowshoeing replaces hiking as it has wide appeal Gordon Dunham and a lot of the coastal terrain is not suitable for skiing. We cater to members with a wide range of The North Shore Hikers was formed in 1958 with aspirations, from fairly easy to exhausting. We try 16 members and dues of $1. Initially, one hike was to minimize our trip cancellations. Areas visited scheduled every other week, leaving the open week include local mountains, Howe Sound, Whistler, to reschedule cancelled hikes due to weather. It was Chilliwack and Manning Park. After longer hikes, not until the late sixties before more than one hike it’s common to stop for drinks and a bite to eat. On was scheduled for the same day. occasion, there are multi-day trips to areas such as the Chilcotins and Rockies. The club has adopted From humble beginnings, the club has grown to seven trails and schedules regular maintenance. one of the largest in BC, with about 700 members from all over the Lower Mainland. Our quarterly When visiting the Lower Mainland, members of schedule averages seven activities per weekend, other clubs are welcome to join us on a trip. The with more choices in the warmer months. In addi- club continues to evolve to better meet the needs of tion, mid-week hikes are posted on the web site. our members. Our goal is to ensure that each par- The club dues are $25 per year, with contributions ticipant on a trip has an enjoyable experience in our to the FMCBC and five local rescue groups (whose beautiful surroundings. www.northshorehikers.org services we hope to avoid).

12 Cloudburst – November 2005 One of the special events of the supper hour was listening to the “musical interlude” provided by Bucky and Raffi. They always waited patiently on the porch until we’d finished eating. As the moments passed, they crept closer to the screen door and began to “sing” in ever-increasing volume for their supper. Both dogs were models of good behavior and always ready for some ear scratching.

Chris was our guide for a full day hike to “The Mammaries.” Raffi carried the panniers and Bucky was free to cool himself in any knee-deep water he could find. The climb led to the ridge where Chris pointed out some of the areas which had been devoured by last year’s forest fire. The fire which Courtesy Tami Knight reached a valley near Nuk Tessli had forced Chris to leave her cabin for several weeks. The last sec- tion of the climb led onto “The Nipples” (these Ramblings names have been inspired by hikers’ imaginations and are not official names ) and here some of the Trip to Nuk Tessli group shed damp shirts, etc. It’s amazing what a moment of euphoria will bring about The Home of Chris Czajkowski August 11th- 14th 2005 Another highlight was heading off in the canoes at Carol Monaghan, Valley Outdoor Association 6 a.m. (together with a thermos of tea) to watch the rays from the rising sun hit Monarch Mountain. The flight by six VOA members from Nimpo Lake Unfortunately, we had not been in the optimum to Chris Czajkowskis Nuk Tessli was made in pic- picture-taking spot the first morning so the process ture perfect weather. Cameras were at the ready as was repeated next morning. Chris wanted us to the Beaver float plane made several passes over capture mountain views and lake reflections similar Hunlen Falls and the glistening ice fields of to those that had appeared in B.C. Magazine. Monarch Mountain before gliding onto the lake known variously as Whitton, Spinster or simply All of us had read her books, which recounted how “Chris’s Lake.” Chris was at the dock to meet our she had built her first cabin at Lonesome Lake and group with her canine helpmates Bucky and Raffi; then moved on to carve out a new homestead at it was a picture right out of B.C. Magazine. Nuk Tessli. The two guest cabins had been built by Chris and her chainsaw, but she had help in After settling into the cabin, our group was invited building the larger main cabin which is her home / to tea at Chris’s cabin. We were treated to guest dining room / creative space for her painting homemade bread fresh out of Chris’s outdoor rock and writing. Her laptop computer, which is a neces- oven. Then it was off for an afternoon of canoeing sity for both her writing and her email, is powered around the lake. When asked what time to be back by two solar panels. for supper, Chris replied: “I don’t have a watch, but we usually eat when the sun goes below the supper Our outward bound plane flew in five WWOOF- tree. ” We weren’t sure where the supper tree was, ERS, an acronym for “Willing Workers on Organic but we were on time. It was a great first evening, Farms.” These young people would receive room but we were puzzled when another group of guests and board at Nuk Tessli in return for five hours of asked if we were from a book club??? We made work per day with duties such as trail work, chop- sure we flexed our hiking muscles whenever we ping wood and maintenance chores. saw them

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 13 C a r o l

M o n a g h a n

Nuk Tessli, 2005.

It was delightful to meet Chris and to experience Our recommendation: GO. It’s a great experience. life at Nuk Tessli. She had fond memories of Check out the website (Nuk Tessli Alpine Marg Hunter, who had been instrumental in having Experience), or email at:[email protected]. Book Chris speak at the VOA. She also holds Rene early. Chris will be speaking at libraries in Savenye in high regard and had always enjoyed British Columbia the fall. joining him on his fossil hunting trips. We’re grateful to Chris for her hospitality, but also for C

providing us with a new hiking term (paraphrased a r o from a Chinese saying). It’s applied to those l

M

loooong hikes where you assume you have reached o n a the top, but you’re not even close. The phrase is g h a

‘Rejoice Too Soon.’ n

We felt that Chris gave us good marks for our hiking abilities, a so-so grade for our canoeing skills, but we were definitely not up to the mark for Slap Scrabble (except for Sharon ). We redeemed ourselves by happily eating leftovers after her long day of guiding, by insisting on having her famous Spotted Dick steamed pudding with our breakfast, by making her laugh at our entry in her guest book, and finally by our purchase of her wonderful books and prints. Alpine Flowers, Nuk Tessli trip.

14 Cloudburst – November 2005 Melvin and Lost Valley Creeks We spent the next two days following the creek, Sandra Nicol first on a bench system to the west, then along an intermittent foot path on the east side. Eventually On June 30, 2005, I left Vancouver with a group of we met the trail that was being constructed by the friends and headed north in two trucks supplied Western Canada Wilderness Committee and the with lasagna, doughnuts and two-way radios. Our St'at'imc First Nation from Seton Portage to the destination: the Hurley Silver Mine Road. We spent headwaters. the next four days walking through valleys and over ridges, exploring Melvin and Lost Valley Creeks, The development activities proposed for finishing our trip in Seton Portage. These areas are Lost Valley require road access. This would change still wild, displaying the most amazing alpine the valley dramatically. Access from Vancouver is flowers that I have yet seen. We went because they currently difficult; either drive to Seton Portage and are threatened by development including logging, hike for about 15 km to get to the alpine, pass a ski resort, and an independent power project. We through non-beginner terrain from Twin Lake, or returned convinced that they are worth more whole scramble over the ridge from Haylmore Creek than the money that could be made from them. (some technical ability probably required). A road would change that, and open the valley up to On the first evening we slept at the base of the further exploitation such as logging (if BC Timber Hurley Silver Mine Road, after talking with the Sales, which is owned by the Crown, does not put inhabitants of a St'at'imc (Stat-lee-um) protest camp the road in first). Lost Valley is also included in a at the base of the road. People have occupied the heli-skiing tenure application from Coast Range camp continuously since 2000 to protest the Heliskiing Ltd. This application is being reviewed Cayoosh/Melvin Creek Ski Resort proposal by Land and Water BC and can be viewed on Land (proponents: Nancy Green and husband Al Raine). and Water’s website (search for #3410470). See the The proposal received approval from the Rec and Con Report for more information on this Environmental Assessment Office in 2000. The ski tenure application. resort proposal has been rejected by the St'at'imc for 15 years, but is still in the tenure process. These valleys are home to mountain goats, grizzly bears and spotted owls. They are also on the border On July 1st we drove to 6500ft and started walking. between two climate types: coastal rainforest and Nearly every slope that we encountered was steep interior rain shadow. In four days of hiking I enough that footing was important, and slipping identified 91 species of plants without even trying could mean a long roll. The rest of the day was to do the mosses, grasses, or shrubs. A more spent traversing and scrambling a ridge around the experienced naturalist who does not need to look headwaters of Haylmore Creek and dropping down most things up would have found far more. We saw to a hanging valley draining to Melvin Creek. On no people until we had nearly reached Seton Port- July 2nd we continued down into Melvin Creek, fol- age, but we did see quite a bit of flagging tape of lowing a rough trail (which eventually led us to varying age, and several old blazes. Some of the someone's cabin). We continued on to the headwa- flagging tape said 'road centerline' on it. We took ters of Melvin Creek, crossing the largest grassy these signs as an indication that this area is being slopes near Vancouver, reaching upper Twin Lake explored for exploitation. Melvin and Lost Valley in the late afternoon. Upper Twin Lake can also be Creeks are the largest unexploited valleys in the reached by following an ATV trail up Barkley Val- Cayoosh area, and need protection if they are going ley. The most technical section of our traverse to stay that way. came next: a short scramble to a col overlooking Lost Valley Creek, then a steep snow slope into the Participants: Tim Blair, Sandra Nicol, Scott Nelson, headwaters. This route is not beginner friendly (our James Griffiths, Mike Rosen and beginner may or may not have forgiven us). We Eloginy Tharmendran. had a beautiful camp near a small headwater lake.

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 15 exchange for the land, including help with advice or strategy Updates a mechanism to protect the land please contact the office or Pat in perpetuity, a permanent and Harrison. Government meaningful role in park govern- Restructuring ance and suitable recognition for Environment Fund of The provincial government has the steps the FMC took to pro- British Columbia undergone a significant tect these lands. The park devel- As many members are aware re-structuring, one that has the opment plan is expected to be the FMC is a member of the potential to benefit the FMC and completed by the end of Environment Fund of BC other public recreation interests. November or early December. (EFBC) and has been since A new Ministry of Tourism, 1995. EFBC is a work place Sport and the Arts (MTSA) has The Land Conservancy giving program, much like been created. This ministry has Squamish Activities United Way, except donations responsibility for all tourism and The Land Conservancy of BC go to charitable organizations resort planning and develop- (TLC) now owns the gravel pit working on environmental is- ment. The Ministry will also between Stawamus Chief and sues and causes. There are have a Public Recreation Shannon Falls Provincial Parks. presently eleven moderate en- Branch. Forest Recreation assets This was to be the base station vironmental organizations en- and staff will be transferred to site for the proposed tourist rolled including the Outdoor this new department housed gondola that would go up the Recreation Council and the under MTSA. There is also a Stawamus Chief. A big thanks FMC. Similar to United Way, new Ministry of Environment goes to TLC for this key EFBC runs donation cam- (MOE) and Ministry of Agricul- acquisition. The gravel pit will paigns in various companies. ture and Lands (MAL). The be leased to the contractor on the We have had some successes Integrated Land Management Sea-to-Sky highway upgrade with a couple of major local Bureau, housed in MAL, will project for the next three to four companies but we need to take on the responsibility for years. They will use the land as a expand into many more to land use planning and land site office and for storing equip- achieve fundraising goals and tenures etc. Land and Water BC ment and supplies. In the sustain the fund. If any mem- (LWBC) no longer exists and meantime, TLC will be working ber has any insights or leads to most staff and functions have on a long-term plan for the land get EFBC into their company been transferred to other with stakeholders. TLC is also please contact Evan Loveless. ministries. working on other strategic land We hope to run a donation acquisitions in the Squamish campaign in the spring. Smoke Bluffs area to add to the local park The FMC continues to be is a network. Information about ACMG Mountain key stakeholder in a park TLC, and how to join or donate, Conditions Report development process for the is at www.conservancy.bc.ca. The Association of Canadian Squamish Smoke Bluffs. The Mountain Guides (ACMG) has proposed new regional park FMC Foundation/Fund launched a new web informa- operated by the District of The FMC Board is exploring tion portal called the Mountain Squamish will encompass the options for setting up a separate Conditions Report. The idea is Smoke Bluffs climbing crags investment/fundraising vehicle. that ACMG guides will post and adjacent forestlands, and is These options include setting up field observations, current expected to include the land the a foundation, or starting a fund conditions and updated route FMC purchased in the late 1980s within an existing foundation or information. During high to save it from housing financial institution. Any seasons the ACMG will try to development. The FMC is seek- member that has experience with provide a synopsis every ing several concessions in these vehicles and would like to Thursday or Friday morning,

16 Cloudburst – November 2005 Tom Osborne (RDN), Don Cam- which will summarize general ment (Dick Heath, Regional eron & Harriet Ruggeberg conditions. This is a public Manager, and Sharon Ericson, (ACC) and Evan Loveless service offered by the ACMG to Planning Section Head). (FMCBC), for being front line assist in trip planning. Still in its Ministry staff seem to favour a people. Also thanks to Cedric early stages, the information is partnership which would see Zala, Martin Hoffman, Sandy provided on a volunteer basis. Mount Arrowsmith become a Briggs & Barb Baker (ACC), See http://acmg.ca/ Provincial Park administered by Ralph Hutchinson & Bill Perry the Regional District and stew- (IMR) and Judy & Harold Carl- Mount Arrowsmith arded by the FMCBC and the son (AVOC) for carrying an Peter Rothermel ACC. This means that equally important load behind Arrowsmith could eventually get Hopefully the snow will fly soon the scenes. Class A Provincial Park status, and we will get a deep winter with the Regional District Judges Route Logging pack. This past season, pretty providing the infrastructure much every bit of snow melted It appears that Island Timber- (staff to organize, provide lands is holding off on their log- off the mountain by fall time. funding for signage, etc.) and the Only the main gully had an ice ging plans on the Judges Route. clubs as stewards, maintaining While this may seem like good cube left and that was smaller the trails (which we already do). than a VW Bug. This is a record news, it may mean that another very valuable, more sensitive low and something I personally Our ad hoc committee has sub- have never seen in the 35 years wilderness area will get the axe. mitted to the Ministry of Envi- My last communications with that I have been hiking on ronment a Land Evaluation and Arrowsmith. Fortunately, there the timber companies were quite Acquisition Framework (LEAF) a while ago. Our greatest fear has been sufficient rain to keep form for review. Proposed park the rivers full enough for return- now is that the valley leading up land is subjected to a LEAF re- from the last switchback on Pass ing salmon. The usual August view. The review ranks the land and September snowmelt con- Main to the cirques below the in a number of categories main gully will be logged in tribute greatly to the Englishman including ecological integrity, and Little Qualicum Rivers trade for the Judges Route. If management efficiency, this happens, it will ruin one of systems in dry years. If we have recreational opportunities, etc. I a low snowpack year like this the most aesthetic approaches to think Arrowsmith will rate fairly the alpine that this mountain has past winter, in combination with high in most categories. a super-dry summer/fall like we to offer. experienced the last two years, As well, we are trying to set up the rivers — and maybe even the Arrowsmith Ski Park meetings with the three new The Alberni/Clayoquot Regional aquifers that we humans rely MLAs from the ridings that on — may be compromised. District owns the defunct ski touch upon the Massif. We have area on the north slopes of Mt. verbal support from Leonard Park Status Cokely. It has committed to Krog, Nanaimo South (NDP) putting more than $100 000 over The initiative to gain protected and Scott Fraser, Alberni/ Quali- park status for Mount Arrows- three years into cleaning up the cum (NDP). We have not yet area. The Regional District has mith is gaining ground. Repre- received a response from letters sentatives of the Federation of awarded the clean up contract to sent to Ron Cantelon, Nanaimo/ Denis Francoeur, with his bid of Mountain Clubs and the Alpine Parksville (Liberal). Club teamed up with the Re- $82,510. They are allowing another $40,000 for unexpected gional District of Nanaimo Overall, we are further ahead (RDN) and presented our pro- findings. towards gaining Arrowsmith posal to senior staff of the prov- park status than ever before. A ince’s Ministry of the Environ- Meanwhile, the upper road tip of the hat to Jeff Ainge & through the ski park has been

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 17 reactivated by a logging In recent weeks, it has come to my to gain access across Timber- company, Dorman Timber, so attention that the Prince George 4 West private property. The they can access some of their X 4 club is making a request to the private property access issue is property east of the park. The BC Forest Service to expand the heating up and the FMC and Is- road access, in general, on use of 4 X 4 s on the Alexander land delegates are gearing up to Cameron and Pass Mains has Mackenzie Heritage Trail, a major convince TimberWest to be improved. This also means portion of the east – west main more positive about access on logging trucks may be trail from Alberta to Bella Coola. their land. It all comes down to encountered, even on weekends. David King of the Caledonia concerns over liability and Ramblers and a director of Hike vandalism. South of Port Al- Regional Parks & Trails BC have alerted the BC Forest berni, the Alberni Valley Out- Advisory Committee Service that this trail has been door Club is working a section Fellow Alpine Club member signed over to Hike BC to be of trail along the old Canadian Harriet Rueggerberg and I have maintained as a non-motorized Pacific Railway grade. We hope been appointed to the Regional trail. Here is another sample of to include this in the NHT. At District of Nanaimo Parks and motorized activity intruding into the AGM last June in Victoria, Trails Advisory Committee. pristine areas of BC. We have the NHT concept was Harriet brings a wealth of park voiced our opposition loud and unanimously endorsed by FMC planning experience with her clear, but we must remain vigilant delegates. and I’m looking forward to that this does not occur. learning more about park On the national scene, Hike Can- infrastructure. On the southern portion of the ada continues to gain members. National Trail from Pemberton to We had our fifth successful Since the Arrowsmith Massif is Victoria, several events have or AGM (after a hiatus of fifteen wholly within the Regional Dis- are unfolding. The Sea to Sky years) in Chertsey, Québec on trict of Nanaimo, I am pleased to Trail Association has given October 1st, with ten directors be part of the committee that permission for the National Hik- attending from across Canada. In will help form park policy. ing Trail to use their trail from Newfoundland, the East Coast Pemberton to Squamish. From Trail Association is moving Squamish south, we have received along with its trail along the National Hiking permission to explore the trails of coast. The HC Director in Trail the Chief, Shannon, and Cypress Nova Scotia is in discussions Pat Harrison Provincial Parks for inclusion as with the government over the part of the NHT. There are two formation of Hike Nova Scotia. The National Hiking Trail people working on gaining access The Dobson Trail continues to continues to gain momentum. for the trail from Langdale to grow slowly in New Brunswick. The Federation of Mountain Earl’s Cove. From Saltery Bay to The Fderation of sentier na- Clubs is a major contributor to Powell River, the Sunshine Coast tional du québec is closing in on this effort with several of its Trail Association has not only finishing their portion of the trail clubs participating, including given permission to use their trail, across Québec. The Rideau, Fraser Headwaters Alliance, but also has signed the trail with Ganaraska, Bruce, and Voyageur Caledonia Ramblers and Alpine NHT trail markers. Trails are forming the NHT in Club of Canada – Prince George Ontario under the auspices of Section (via the Prince George The Log Train Trail to Port Al- Hike Ontario. The 2006 AGM Backcountry Recreation berni section is in the works. It will be held in Ottawa on Association), the Comox District appears from the FMC Vancouver September 30th. Little trail has Mountaineering Club, and the Island delegates meeting held No- been built in Manitoba or Sas- Alberni Valley Outdoor Club. vember 5 that this will be a katchewan although we have a challenge, as it will be necessary club in Manitoba working on the

18 Cloudburst – November 2005 P a trail. In Alberta, Hike Alberta hikers (approximately 10 – 15 u l

C

was informally formed this year cars). h a t t

and is trying to gather new e r t members. My approach was to be positive o n and to offer solutions rather than In BC, Hike BC was formalized castigate anyone for past events. this year as a not-for-profit One of the ideas Council organization to coordinate the supported was a trail system NHT in BC. This will permit the from the primary school on various clubs that are part of Bayview to the parking area on Hike BC to apply for funding to Sunset. I then researched the develop the NHT. Hike BC has area and found that a fairly good applied to join the Outdoor Rec- trail existed for about two-thirds reation Council of BC in order of the way. I also pursued talks for the non-motorized users of with Dave Lasser of Terminal this trail to be heard better. The Forest Products (also a BCMC Early season ski, Blue River area. next AGM (our sixth) will be member) about using a heliport Miller and I hiked the new trail. held in Quesnel in late April. We on the south side of Lions Bay He was most pleased. He wrote are planning on working on the for a future trail that would an article for the local newspa- NHT in the vicinity of eliminate the need for hikers to per, the Seagull, which landed Quesnel on several days after the park in the Village. Dave Lasser on the front page. In the article, AGM. Last year we identified and I presented our proposals to the mayor praised the efforts of and mapped, using GPS, a seven the Village Council in July 2004 the Federation of Mountain kilometre route around a private and Council endorsed them. Clubs and he encouraged the property. It now needs to have citizens of Lions Bay to embrace NHT trail markers applied to it. The next step was approval from the trail for their use as well. the West Vancouver School

Board. Mayor Miller and I met While this was a slow process, it Lions Bay with the School Board four ultimately produced most of the Pat Harrison times in an effort to gain access results the FMC and Lion’s Bay In December 2004, I began to to the parking lot at the primary Council had hoped for. I look negotiate with the Village of school. Finally, in the spring of forward to meeting the members Lions Bay regarding the parking 2005, the School Board was of the new council after the conflict between hikers and satisfied that the Occupiers Li- election this fall and continuing residents of Lions Bay. With the ability Act would cover its our positive relations. election of a totally new mayor liability if parking was permit- and council, it seemed like a ted. Officials granted permission Terminal Forest Products is prime opportunity to approach for parking during non-school committed to handing their the Village without any past hours on weekends and during heliport over to the Federation of baggage on either side. I first the months of July and August. Mountain Clubs for parking had an informal meeting with sometime in the near future, af- Mayor Douglas Miller. He was In July 2005, the Trails Commit- ter they finish their snap-and-fly most receptive to pursuing dis- tee of the Federation of operation. They will continue to cussions on the topic. He invited Mountain Clubs proceeded with maintain the road and parking me to do a presentation to coun- building the last one-third of the lot as they will from time to time cil. As a sign of good faith, the trail and signing the trail from want to do periodic snap-and-fly council immediately pulled the primary school to the trail logging. We appreciate their down some of the resident only leading from the Sunset parking cooperation as well. signs at Sunset and signed it for area. In early September, Mayor

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 19 Around the Province Chilliwack - The Neil Grainger & I) set out in an Great Outside attempt to make local politicians Jack Bryceland and businesses stand behind the ‘smoke & mirrors’ to ensure the Most of you who have driven success of the promotion i.e. if past Chilliwack on Highway 1 you promote a trail, then provide will be familiar with one aspect the means so that the trail will be of Chilliwack’s great outside - a positive experience for the the odour at barn-cleaning time. hiker. Another related initiative, However this article is about to show that the hikers something else. themselves are responsible peo- ple, was to rejuvenate the Over the last couple of years Adopt-A-Trail programme Tourism Chilliwack has been which FMC coordinated for promoting Chilliwack as The many years with great success. Great Outside. To give you an idea of the scale of this After numerous discussions and promotion, note the following meetings, which included the numbers: a brochure, titled Mayor and the MLA, we can Chilliwack Hiking Trail Guide, report a couple of initial suc- was produced. An initial print cesses. The Mount Cheam trail run of 10,000 was soon gone and is being made into a Regional another 15,000 were printed. At Park to be maintained by the the beginning of summer 2005 Fraser Valley Regional District that 15,000 were all gone so with the active cooperation of another 10,000 were ordered. the Chilliwack Outdoor Club. They are mostly gone too. With The Club has also signed a a full-colour map and simple maintenance agreement Photographs, the brochure gives with the Ministry of Forests for access information for 25 hiking the Pierce Lake Trail. An trails in the area. The brochure is agreement between the Club and available free at information BC Parks for the International centres, hotels, RV parks, and Ridge Trail is on the horizon. campsites. Since they are free, many of the people picking them An overactive summer of up are probably wannabees, but personal outdoor adventures has what if just 2% of the people facilities (We all need to remem- meant that the trail maintenance who took these pamphlets were ber the sign that Albert Einstein accomplishments are less than stimulated to go hiking? That’s reputedly had hanging above his we had hoped. However, an extra 700 hikers out there and desk: ‘Not everything that can tentative approaches have been yet trails across the province, not be counted counts and not every- made to other clubs, groups and just in Chilliwack, are suffering thing that counts can be individuals. As we continue to serious neglect from simplistic counted’). work at it through the rainy Liberal ‘make-it-pay’ beliefs season we hope to have more applied to BC Parks and BC The local section of the FMC agreements in place before the Forest Service Recreation Trails Committee (Gary Baker, sun starts north again.

20 Cloudburst – November 2005 Ptarmigan Dome, Rosemary Pass, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. Tricia Daum, 2005.

Exploring the Beauty of Buck Mt. (2143 m.) the next. Coquihalla Pass summit the first Provincial Parks There were wild flowers in pro- day. This was an excellent hike, Outdoor Club of Victoria fusion and mountain tops as far not too difficult except for a bit David and Lois Thompson as the eye could see. of scrambling to reach the peak. and Jitka Kotler. There were magnificent views of Cathedral Lakes Provincial many familiar peaks, Mt. Marble Meadows- Strathcona Park Outram, Mt. Baker, Provincial Park With fair weather holding, 15 of Mt. Garibaldi and many more. Accessing the meadows by us enjoyed three superb days of We looked through the “eye of canoe and backpack, nine of us wide open alpine hiking in this the needle” too. The second day spent a cool, misty, moist four gorgeous park. We hiked all the we hiked through the Quintette days in this rugged beautiful part trails, climbed all the mountains, Tunnels over the Coquihalla of the park. The Wheaton Hut (2600 m.+), swam in the lakes, River. was our base camp, which was a saw mountain goats, deer, mar- welcome shelter from the rain mots, pikas, birds, fish, flowers Jedediah Island Marine Park and cold winds. Although most and turquoise lakes. The Four OCV members joined up of us slept in tents, we cooked mountain vista was incredible; with members of the Cowichan and ate in the hut. we identified mountain peaks as Kayak and Canoe Club and did a far away as Mt. Hood. five-day sea kayak trip to this Manning Provincial Park lovely isolated island park Ten of us had two glorious days Coquihalla Pass located between Lasqueti and hiking up into the alpine of this Nine of us spent two days in this Texada Island in the Strait of beautiful park. Climbing Mt. area (new to us ) camping at Georgia. We accessed it with the Outram (2400 m.) one day and Othello Tunnels Campground. aid of a fish boat and the hiking the Heather Trail to Big We hiked Needle Peak above the Lasqueti Island Ferry.

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 21 New Bus Service to Lions Bay Benefits Hikers

In September 2005 Translink introduced the C12 Community Shuttle route connecting Caulfeild Village and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Lions Bay. This bus route makes it possible for hikers to get to and from Lions Bay seven days a week. In the past the #259 Lions Bay bus was the only route to Lions Bay, and then only weekdays leaving Lions Bay in the late afternoon (this route still Vancouver from Crown Mountain, Paul Chatterton operates). the other: up from the Sunset and Vancouver Public Library An example of a schedule to Li- Drive trailhead to the Binkert (Central); or visit www. ons Bay, Monday to Saturday: Trail to the Howe Sound Crest translink.bc.ca (note that this Trail, then south to Unnecessary website requires very high speed • Take #250 Horseshoe Bay Mountain and down the trail that internet service), or www. from downtown Vancou- leaves from the North Peak to westvancouver.ca/article.asp? ver, 8:20am at Homer/ Oceanview Road trailhead Dunsmuir, or 8:40 at Park (allow at least seven hours of Alberni Valley Royal; to terminus in hiking time for this trip). Outdoor Club Horseshoe Bay (Keith/ Harold Carlson, President Bay). You could also choose to return • Take C12 Lions Bay from to West Vancouver on the Howe Our club is active in hiking, Horseshoe Bay, 9:25am at Sound Crest Trail to Cypress snow-shoeing, skiing, climbing, Keith/Bay. Arrives Bowl, then take the gravel road canoeing and kayaking. We have 9:40am at Highway 99/ on the west side of Cypress recently put some effort into Oceanview Road Creek down to Cypress Falls exploring and improving routes underpass. Park and take the #253 Caulfeild in new areas around Marion Bus at Woodgreen Drive/ Creek and the upper Ash and Note that from Vancouver on Woodgreen Place back to Park Nahmint valleys. We notice that weekdays this is a three-zone Royal. In the past I was able to none of us is getting any fare, from West and North do this trip only in reverse and younger, and we find the time Vancouver a two-zone fare. taking the #259 back to Park spent pruning out underbrush is Royal. repaid in the decreased effort it Of course, you then have to walk takes us to get above the tree up to either trailhead in Lions For more info contact West Van- line. Bay. However, you don't have to couver Transit customer service be concerned about parking, at 604-985-7777; or get the West At lower elevations, we have even if this issue seems resolved Vancouver bus schedule (latest had the help of some Katimavik at the moment. Another is dated April 30, 2005) and the volunteers who have joined our advantage is that you can hike a separate C12 schedule (Sept. 06, weekly work parties to reopen circle route from one trailhead to 2005) at North Shore libraries the 1913 CNP rail grade (the

22 Cloudburst – November 2005 northern terminus of Victoria's plan for 2007. He added that g raphic design I’ve found this Galloping Goose Trail). This is TimberWest “is still hoping that fairly challenging. I’ve made our second year on this project. BC Parks will decide to trade for incremental changes and The rail grade is intended to the area. However, even if a benefited a great deal from the become a part of the National land swap is successfully assistance of a competent Hiking Trail, but there is a long negotiated, or TimberWest ac- copy-editor and the advice of way to go yet. cedes to requests to leave a friends with training in design. buffer along the trail, there still This issue Tammy Marlowe has We are actively supporting the remains the problem of access to taken up the challenge of FMC's project of making the Mt the trailhead along Comox Lake copy-editing and I would like to Arrowsmith massif a park, and Road. TimberWest has restricted thank her for her work. we are trying to keep the access along this road through- importance of backcountry out most of the hiking season Generating content is perhaps recreation recognized under the this year, and since logging ac- the greatest challenge faced by changed tenures and the new tivities continue in the area, ac- the editor of the newsletter of management of our surrounding cess is likely to continue to be voluntary organization. For the restricted in the future. most part, I’ve been able to

P leave the article wrangling to

Comox District a u Evan Loveless. There are more l

Mountaineering Club C

Diana Fright, Secretary h people in his debt than in mine! a t t e I would love to see more content r t o come in from members. High The club’s activities for the n season drew to a close on 29 Oc- resolution photographs and art- tober with our traditional potluck work are welcome, especially if supper. About 60 members they relate to content. In the fu- showed up to dine on a huge va- ture, I would like to see Ram- riety of delicious foods. After blings develop into a feature of the meal was over our president, the newsletter that combines Ken Rodonets, presented five member experiences with members with CDMC Lifetime broader themes and issues in Memberships in grateful short reflective pieces of about acknowledgment of their service 700 words. Book reviews are to the club. Ruth Masters was a another area I would like to teenager when she joined the develop with more regular and club in the 1930s; Ken Stoker systematic coverage, even if it is joined in the 50s; Don and Syl- simply listings, of recent via Apps joined in the 60s; and Kicking steps, Mount Matier, 2004. publications of interest to FMC Chris Pielou, though not a members. Wider geographic long-time member, is over 80 Editorial coverage with more news from years of age and still leads hikes member clubs is another area Meg Stanley where I think the newsletter

could improve. In early September this year, I was surprised when I looked

President Ken Rodonets back over my collection of Just as content is welcome, so received an e-mail from the Cloudbursts and realized that I too are comments about TimberWest operations planner have been its editor since winter Cloudburst. Please contact me at which stated that clear-cutting 2003/2004. As editor, I have [email protected]. the Comox Glacier Trail is not focussed on making the FMC’s on the company’s plan for next newsletter attractive and year, but will probably be on the readable. Without any training in

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC 23 P a u l

C M E M B E R C L U B S h a t t

e r t o Alberni Valley Outdoor Club n /

M (www.mountainclubs.bc.ca/AVOC) e g

S Alpine Club of Canada-Vancouver Section t a

n (www.aebc.com/acc) l e y / B Alpine Club of Canada-Vancouver Island Section r u

c (www.horizon.bc.ca/~acc) e

C a s

w Alpine Club of Canada – Prince George Section e (www.vts.bc.ca/ACC-PG) l l

Backroads Outdoor Club (www.backroadsoutdoor.ca)

British Columbia Mountaineering Club (www.bcmc.ca)

Caledonia Ramblers (http://web.unbc.ca/~ramblers)

Chilliwack Outdoor Club (www.chilliwack.com/leisure/outdoor/outdoor.html)

Comox District Mountaineering Club (www.members.shaw.ca/mount)

Fraser Headwaters Alliance (www.fraserheadwaters.org)

Island Mountain Ramblers (www.mountainclubs.bc.ca/IMR)

Mt. Remo Backcountry Society (www.mrbs.ca)

North Shore Hikers (www.northshorehikers.org)

North Vancouver Outdoor Club (www.northvanoutdoorsclub.ca)

Outdoor Club of Victoria (www.ocv.ca)

Outsetters Club (www.mountainclubs.bc.ca/Outsetters)

Ozalenka Alpine Club

Richmond Outdoor Club (www.mountainclubs.bc.ca/ROC)

Valley Outdoor Association (www.mountainclubs.bc.ca/VOA)

Vancouver Island Trails Information Society (www.hikingtrailsbooks.com)

Varsity Outdoor Club (www.ubc-voc.com)

More Club information available at: www.mountainclubs.bc.ca