Nakusp Hot Springs Hike for 6 Sept 24
Another fine fall day for a hike to the Nakusp Hot Springs for 6 hikers and 2 dogs. Thanks to Simone H for organizing and leading another NACTS Group Hike. They all liked our new Footbridge! More to come.
Road to Saddle Mountain Open
The road between Arrow Park and the Saddle Mountain Lookout Trail FSR is now open. Construction is complete.
Hot Springs Footbridge Completed Sept 14
The NACTS Volunteer team of Brian W, Jamie D, Frank K and Bob T put in a full day removing the old footbridge 400 m below the Upper Trailhead and replacing it with a new cedar timber beauty! Good work team, especially Brian’s extra hours of helping mill the Timbers, cut them to size and generally organize the project. Everyone worked hard and kept things moving.
Hot Springs Trail Footbridge Slinging Complete
Mark Holmis flying a High Terrain A-Star helicopter with a 150’ longline flew the Hot Springs Trail footbridge Timbers and supplies from the CMH helipad above the Hot Springs to the creek site. He did a masterful job of lowering the load vertically through a small gap between towering hemlocks and cedars. Brian W, assisted by Jamie D brought Mark in to the site and supervised the flawless drop. Good work team!
Hot Springs Trail Footbridge Sept 12 - 15
USFS bridge that is the model for ours.
Our Nakusp Hot Springs Footbridge replacement project is under way. Thanks to funding from the CBT and the donation of a cedar log by Stella Jones, we are getting ready to fly in the milled timber and build the bridge next week. This crossing will replace a rotting cedar crossing over last major creek nearest the Hot Springs. Brian W is our project lead who has already put in good time and effort helping Bud A mill the cedar. Use the our Contact Us on this website to let Brian know you would like to join us for a little or a lot! Here is the plan so far:
- Today - Brian is prepping the timber and sourcing hardware. Jamie to advise.
- Thursday - Bob & Brian hike to site to estimate tree height to determine length of helicopter slinging line, survey footing dimensions and slopes, complete logistical planning for slinging operation
- Tuesday - stage timber and build loads using nets and straps. Complete slinging from CMHA upper helipad to crossing site. Lower timbers, generator and tools through trees to drop site as close to crossing as possible. Begin removal of existing rotted cedar rough cut bridge.
- Thursday & Friday (Sept 14 & 15) - complete site prep, hand carry timbers from drop site to crossing, build bridge! Hike out tools, generator and sling net at end of job.
Saddle Mountain Lookout Signage Caution
The lower lakeshore road from the Arrow Park Ferry to the Saddle Mountain FSR is now closed until mid-September. It can still be accessed from the north. If you do hike this trail in the next few weeks, please be aware that the signage is out-of-date and incomplete. The Trailhead sign pictured here is for the lower parking lot and the old, original trailhead that was used before the blown-down event a few years ago. This trail is still open and in good shape. However a new, upper parking lot and trailhead can be accessed by driving another 2.2 km further to the south and up, or to the left as you are looking at this sign. There are arrows pointing in this direction but no sign clearly indicating a second, upper parking lot. Regardless of the trailhead you start walking from (upper or lower), please take careful note of the trail intersection when you pass it. It too is marked with arrows but no other information. When coming down the trail make sure you return by the trail you left from...otherwise you will arrive at the wrong parking lot without a vehicle! We will be adding new signs as soon as they are ready! Sorry for any confusion!
Saddle Mountain Group Hike Aug 26.23
Another awesome NACTS Group Hike to the Saddle Mountain Lookout organized by Simone H and joined by Barb C, another one of our directors, and four other enthusiastic hikers. The weather was great and not too smokey, considering the season. Barb C turned the hike into a mini-work bee by carrying up a wood treatment solution to paint on the new Lookout railings.
New Cedar Bench Kuskanax Mtn Summit
A new deluxe cedar bench for Kuskanax Mountain Summit! Hike up from the south trailhead off Vickie's View road if you like climbing (almost 1000 m elevation gain) or the north trailhead off Turner Road for an easier, very pretty hike, but a very rough, slow drive! Either way your efforts will be rewarded. Thanks to Frank K and Bob T for assembling, varnishing, and installing the bench, to Mark H & Corey (the new High Terrain base pilot) for slinging it up, and Travis M & Justin D with Recreation Sites & Trails BC for supplying the bench and covering the helicopter costs!
High Terrain Helicopter &Bench on Kuskanax Mtn
Mark H and the new base pilot Corey lifted the new cedar bench donated by Recreation Sites & Trails BC. Frank K and Bob T will hike up on Friday August 25 to finish the installation on the summit.
A Great Group Hike to Eva Lake July 20.23
Thanks to Simone H for organizing another group hike to beautiful Eva Lake in Revelstoke National Park