Trails Tools Organized July 15
Jamie D and Bob T ordered wall organizers, built a chainsaw lock cabinet, and installed rails, bins and hooks at our storage shed. It is nice to have our stuff off the gravel floor and neatly hung and shelved.
Hot Springs Trail Access Signs July 15
The Nakusp Hot Springs Trailhead access route from Alexander Road was hard find and follow, with a group of hikers lead by NACTS volunteers recently having difficulty finding the TH. There are three intersections or Ys after leaving the asphalt, and a wrong turn can send you off to remote and potentially dangerous cutblocks. We found one sign post broken at the base and leaning against a tree at the first junction, and the direction missing entirely from the third. They have now been properly erected or replaced. Thanks to Brian W for helping out.
Kuskanax Step Blocks on the Mountain July 12
Mark H slung 37 cedar step blocks and rebar to the second Kuskanax Mountain South viewpoint at 1650 m n Thursday morning July 12. Michele N and Bob T hiked up the next day to unload the block and retrieve the net. Everything is ready for the Recreation Sites and Trails BC student work crew to start rebuilding the trail below on July 24 to 26!
Clearing Kuskanax Mountain Trail S July 10
Frank K and Bob T spent the morning clearing deadfall on the Kuskanax Mountain Trail from the Trailhead above Vickie’s View up to the radio tower. Some of the biggest fallen trees were blocking the two lower viewpoints. They also marked a drop site for the cedar blocks and rebar that Mark H will fly up later this week between his forest fire assignments. Thanks to the CBT and NACFOR for supporting the rebuilding of the Kuskanax South Trail steps.
CEDAR STEP-BLOCK DROP ZONE
Kuskanax Mtn Step Blocks ready to sling July 9
Bob T cut and drilled 37 cedar blocks to be used to rebuild switchback corners on the Kuskanax Mountain South trail. Frank K joined him to stack the blocks and cut rebar in a cargo net at the High Terrain hangar. Bob & Frank will hike the south trail on the 10th to select and mark the drop zone. Mark H is now busy fighting fires but will find an opportunity to sling the blocks on an early morning over the next week. A Recreation Sites and Trail BC student work crew will arrive on July 24th to begin installing the blocks on the most eroded sections of the trail.
Kuskanax Mountain Summit Checkup July 7
Bob T and Corinne T bumped up Turner Road and climbed the north Kuskanax Trail to check out conditions for a planned (and now cancelled due to helicopter unavailability) VIP dedication event later in the week. The road was passable but very rough but the trail was in great condition other than a lot of snow on the ridge below the summit. Another week of hot weather should take care of most of it!
New Saddle Mountain Trail Signs July 6
Barb C and Bob T cleared deadfall and brush on the Saddle Mountain access road and installed new direction signs at the upper and lower parking lots and trail intersection. A new kiosk with an updated map will be erected at the lower parking lot latter this summer but for now the new signs should help keep hikers stay on the right trail. Thanks to Barb C for designing and ordering the new signs, and to BC Timber Sales for funding our 2024 signage project.
Nakusp to Summit Rail Trail Warning
WARNING - the Nakusp to Summit Lake Rail Trail is not safe for users between the RDCK Area H/K boundary and Island View Road due to possible intimidation and dog attacks where the trail crosses the Tim Fox property. Recent incidents resulting in personal injury have been reported to the RCMP and government authorities. Updates will be posted as more information becomes available.
Kimbol Lake Group Hike June 2
Thanks to all who joined our NACTS Group Hike to Kimbol Lake last Sunday, organized and led by Simone H! An enthusiastic group of 15, including 3 of our directors, made the way to Kimbol and back. It was a beautiful hike that ended with a very well deserved soak at the Hot Springs!
Helping Hand From Sentinel Forestry Crew
Thanks to Holly H and Rhys T of the BC Wildfire Sentinel Sentinel crew for their help with some trail maintenance work this spring. This is a picture of the crew on the Peter Roulston Trail on May 8. They did some brushing, built up x-country ski swale crossings and began repairs on an old log bridge at the east end of the trail. The crew spent part of another couple of days earlier doing crossing and footbridge repairs on the Nakusp Hot Springs trail. Hopefully they will have a chance to return later in the season to finish up!