Thanks to favourable weather and the hard work of many individuals, the development of Elk Valley Trail (Trans Canada Trail) progresses well. What follows are highlights of the different sections.

Elko to Morrissey section

Permission has been granted from BC Hydro to use the access road to the Elko Dam for the Trans Canada Trail. Some of the other sections in this area, including the Morrissey Bridge site, are currently being reviewed by BC Hydro. The Wigwam Hill layout is done and application has been submitted to TransCanada Pipeline for approval. Also, Fernie Trails Alliance will reapply to Columbia Basin Trust to fund the proposed Morrissey Creek Bridge.

Morrissey to Fernie section

Construction of the trail section on this land owned by ‘Montane’ (the trail between Coal Creek and Roots) is being done by the contractor ‘Parastone’ is approximately 80% complete. The trail (pictured above) is looking good!

The layout for the new build between Cokato Road and the bottom of Branch H Road is currently on hold, awaiting land use agreement from Jemi Fibre. Construction on this section of trail, to be done by ‘Back Country Trail Experts’ is scheduled for mid-July if permission is granted on time. Construction by Parastone has started on the new trail around the old Fernie landfill site. Drainage work is scheduled for the existing Montane Trail by early July.

Fernie to Hosmer section

A quick review of the first 1.5 km of the Coal Discovery Trail upgrades are complete, with more detailed work still required. Plans for this area will be finalized once Jemi Fibre communicates their intended logging plans for this section. The Trans Canada Trail will follow the road from Porky Blue Creek to Hosmer for now, unless there is some of the budget extra at the end of this year.

Hosmer to Sparwood section

The new trail alignment is laid out to connect Ingham Rest Area at the valley bottom to existing Coal Discovery Trail on the upper bench. We are working with Nature Conservancy of Canada to secure a land use agreement at the Ingham area. In this Nature Conservancy area, there is approximately 750 metres of new trail being proposed to bring the grade down to 10% from the existing 20 to 25%! That’ll sure make it more user-friendly for families! We are awaiting the comments and approvals of Nature Conservancy. Work on the first eight kilometres of Coal Discovery Trail by ‘Cabin Forestry’ from Sparwood to Black Diamond Creek is scheduled to begin on July 5. Also, a new trail around the gravel pit has been approved and work will commence in the near future.

Sparwood to Line Creek section

The trail sections within the District of Sparwood are ready for construction, with the site meeting having been held and bids accepted. Permission is still needed from Teck before the Wilson Corner section can be started. The proposal to route the trail under Wilson Creek Bridge still needs to be investigated with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Line Creek to Elkford section

Land use agreement with Jemi Fibre is on hold and the contractor that was scheduled to start the Elkford South Trail has been relocated to the Mountain West Trail due to the Jemi Fibre delay.

Elkford to Round Prairie section

This section, north of Elkford, is on Crown land and is referred to as the ‘Mountain Walk.’ Full permissions have been granted for all proposed work on this section, with Cornerstone Excavating to begin trail construction on July 4.

More generally, materials for trail signage, cedar 6 x 6s and a good stock of 2” x 6” and 2” x 8” rough cedar has been purchased for various aspects of this big project.

What a great collaboration of efforts between the communities in the Elk Valley!

How lucky are we to soon be able to ride / hike yet another 140 kilometres of family friendly trails – from Elko to Elkford!

Submitted for Fernie Trails Alliance by Robert Champagne

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