Cedar Grove Group Snowshoe Sunday January 11.26
Sunday January 11 was a good day for our snowshoe to Cedar Grove from the Nakusp Hot Springs parking lot. Eight NACTS members, lead by Simone H and Bob T, made the climb up past the caribou calving pen to the Kuskanax FSR and then east to the Cedar Grove access road junction. With deep, heavy snow ahead, 4 turned back and 4 continued for the final 1.5 km of hard going. We had lunch at the deeply buried picnic table at Cedar Grove. Everyone was tired by the time we got back to the Hot Springs, which were closed due to a power outage, unfortunately.
Summit Bonanza Snowshoe Dec 28.25
Another inaugural snowshoe for the NACTS regulars down the Summit Bonanza rail trail to the washout, about 3.6 km oneway or 7.2 km return. The snow was frozen and deep enough for pleasant snowshoeing but more would be nice. We stopped for lunch at the washout before returning to highway 6. The weather was just right. Next time we will pre-survey the trail since there was some brushing we could have done to help the Tail Alliance out. We did our best to stay off the lone x-country ski track, but the trail wasn’t always wide enough to do so. Hopefully more snowshoers will join us for our next outing.
Clearing Cape Horn Dec 16.25
Frank Kennedy in invited Bob T along on a goodwill clearing of the Cape Horn beach and lookout trails. Frank did the hard work of chainsaw clearing numerous falls, including one especially snarled one. By the time we were done a nice trail was cleared from the MOT gravel pot to the beach by the Cape Horn creek mouth, and up the rocky bluff to a spectacular overlook of Arrow Lake. Good work Frank. It is well worth a visit.
Peter Roulston Group Snowshoe Dec 14.25
The usual gang of NACTS members and directors joined for our first group snowshoe of the Season on Dec 14, climbing up from the Hot Springs parking lot to set off down the Kuskanax FSR to the Peter Roulston Trailhead and another 2 km or so further to the first log stream crossing. The snow was a bit thin but we had a good time shaking the cobwebs out of the snowshoes. We stopped for a standing bite to eat before heading back. We did some trail clearing on the steep section above the parking lot.
Hand Brushing Peter Roulston Swale Crossings Oct 13
Jamie D and Bob T drove up the mid section of the Peter Roulston trail to inspect and brush the x-country swale crossings. These are brush poles lain across the swales or water bars to support a snow bridge for easier x-country skiing. The crossings were in relatively good shape but were overgrown with low brush, which would prevent the snow bridges from properly forming. We had cleared them.
Dennis Basin Recon October 4.25
Bob T and Corinne T hiked Dennis Basin on October 4 to check its suitability for a group hike in 2026. It is a beautiful hike but, like Blue Grouse Basin, a bit challenging. We may consider it for next year but need to make sure those who join are fit.
Brushing Cedar Grove Access & Trail Sept 27.25
Bob T and Michele N drove up to the Cedar Grove access road to give the new Hedge Trimmer a proper workout. It worked great and did a good job of cutting back brush along the road up to shoulder height, as well S clearing low ferns, devils club Bd other brush along the trail. It was easy to use, efficient and quiet. All went exceptionally well until Bob swung the blade too close to his leg and gave himself a nasty cut. Ouch! Chainsaw chaps will be required in the future.
Trying out our new Stihl Hedge Trimmer Sep 23.25
Jamie D and Bob T took our new heavy duty battery Stihl Hedge trimmer out for some test brushing on the Hot Springs lower Trailhead access road. Brian or Jerry beat us to it, it seems, since there was t much to brush, but Jamie gave it a test anyway, and declared it a success. The trimmer cuts fairly thick branches and doesn’t use very much power.
Telegraph Trail Recon Sept 21.25
Michele N and Bob T hiked the Telegraph Trail at Rosebery to determine its suitability for future Group Hikes. We need a greater range of hikes to choose from when organizing group hikes, to suit varying abilities. The Telegraph Hike is an easy hike with a pleasant view of falls and rapids part way up Wilson Creek from H6.
Kimbol Lake South Sign Survey Sept 14.25
Michele N and Bob T hiked from the south Kimbol Lake Trail Head above Horseshoe Lake to the east end of the Kimbol lake and the intersection with the trail from the Hot Springs, to determine trail sinnage requirements for installation in 2026. This portion of the trail is not currently marked. Various intersection and tail signs will be required. A large fall at the east end of the lake where the trail climbs the rubbles slope was identified for removal.
