Trails Update: June 27, 2025
bedrock battles
While some of us made tweaks and repairs in Cheakamus, (About Time, After Hours and AM/PM) the rest of the crew made the long commute to LESS with heavy packs this week. They were hauling the hammer-drill, our biggest batteries and all of the rock breaking accessories. It helps to share the load, but that drill is heavier than any of our chainsaws. Our mission was to destroy some bedrock to increase the radius of the tightest turn near the merge with Lord of the Squirrels. In one spot, we found welcoming cracks that cooperated with the procedure, releasing large chunks that we could use to build up the outer edge of the turn. In most situations, however, it felt like Andy Dufresne’s long dig in Shawshank prison. It didn’t take us 20 years to chip away what was needed to make a difference, but the rock did outlast our stock of batteries on the first day. We worked the heavy drill down LOTS, Chipmunk Rebellion and finally finished obliterating the huge choke point rock where Industrial Waste meets Danimal South.
shovels in the ground
Speaking of Danimal South… We’ve been hearing for years how there’s no blue trail connecting LOTS and LESS to the Valley. Chipmunk Rebellion, Industrial Waste and Rock Rabbit have filled the gap, however, there was still a missing link. I’ve been studying the limited space around Danimal South for a loooooong time. At first we tried to smooth Danimal’s tread and minimize the climbing sections. Despite our efforts, the grade (steepness) of the trail was deep into black rating. Last spring at the WORCA Trails Committee meeting, I pitched “twinning” the trail and constructing a fully benched, smoother and less steep bypass. “DO IT!” was the response. And here we are. After much planning (routing the trail away from large trees, un-benchable bedrock and lining up a safe point to cross Moose Knuckles) we’ve finally broken ground on the project. And, did we ever break ground! Peak Vending hosted our first Volunteer Dig Morning of the season followed by the Cheakamus Community Forest for Tuesday Dig Night. We were joined by 30 seasoned volunteers who muscled away the duff and shaped the first 150 metres! It was the most challenging work so far this season so Ben and Sarah really elevated the catering by serving BBQ ribs and homemade cornbread! We’ve started working on the lower section with another Dig Morning scheduled for June 29. Join Evolution and Coast Mountain Brewing for the last digging event of Spring 2025. We’ll be returning to work on the new “lane” later this summer… check in here to sign up for the next opportunity!
See you on the Trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
