Trails Update: July 17, 2026
bannish burdock!
WORCA partnered with the Sea to Sky Invasives Species Council (SSISC) to remove Burdock from a known notorious hot spot: Flashback 4. Burdock is a large plant that out competes EVERYTHING for sunlight and spreads its seeds through pesky burrs that get stuck on clothing or fur. Clo gave the group a tutorial to eliminate THE ENTIRE PLANT… Removing a burdock plant is a lot like pulling a stump on a trail day: you need to dig around, remove rocks and soil, and try to pull out the FULL tap root. Burdock root can be a tasty dish (try it at Sushi Village) but if left underground, it will regrow another plant, burrs and all. Dog lovers will appreciate our effort: 300 pounds of plants were dug up. Diggers were rewarded by foraging ripe brambleberries, drinks and snacks courtesy of the Cheakamus Community Forest and Coast Mountain Brewing. Serendipitous timing had us pulling Burdock on an Adaptive-mtb rated trail just as the brewery launched a collab beer with Whistler Adaptive sports program: The tasty Pulp Friction Tangerine Sour Wit!
sproatt alpine news
The trail crew has started work on LESS/LOTS this week in anticipation for the weather cooperating for an imminent opening of the alpine network. On Tuesday, I ventured up Lord of the Squirrels to the lake, clearing drains and cutting trees while the crew cut back vegetation to improve sightlines on LESS and lower LOTS. Upper Squirrels is in great shape, but the snow was still deep around the lake (and along On The Rocks). The Black Flies and Mosquitoes were so ravenous that I had to skip my annual dip in the lake (for now). The RMOW rangers will be setting up bamboo stakes to follow through the snow patches for when the trails open… hopefully early this week (if it doesn’t snow…) It is important for users to follow the stakes and not circumnavigate the large snow patches. Trampling the delicate alpine plants makes trail braids that take years to re-naturalize. As always, be prepared! It’s a big ride and the weather can change quickly in the alpine.
Trail day!
We’re stoked to welcome WORCA members for a rare WEDNESDAY trail work morning: The folks from Trailforks are sponsoring the July 29 event. We’ll be building more Marmot Mayhem! The trail crew has been busy preparing the project for another massive dig! Sign up here
See you on the Trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
