Trails Update: June 5, 2026
How Big’s Yer Bar?
We used every saw in our arsenal this week to clear more trees brought down by a rather windy winter. I received a few notifications about downed tree clusters that lined up some good training opportunities for our crew. Members that recently completed their Basic Chainsaw Handling course with Silverback Treeworks got to work out some interesting fallen tree tension problems in the Cheakamus zone. WORCA was asked to clear the riparian hiking trail in 2015 as part of our first Fee For Service agreement with the RMOW and we’ve periodically returned to deal with fallen trees along this wonderful river’s edge walking route. In the valley bottom, Red Alder can grow rather large while retaining long curved stems. The curves make these heavy trees tricky to buck-up when they crash down. There were a handful of these to clear, all presenting opportunities to discuss anticipated forces and risk management while getting the trail clear.
While in Cheakamus, we also cleared the Jane Lakes biking route and Southern Accent, plus some corridor clearing for the MARMOT MAYHEM! Meanwhile, further up (and north), Michal and Riley had an all day spicy mission clearing Zanarchy and Gargamel. “It was never ending,” said Michal, “After finishing a spot, putting everything back in your pack, we would ride for 20 seconds and there would be another tree!”. There were so many fallen big trees around 1200m (elevation). On the next day, the pattern repeated itself as Michal and I went up to clear LESS/Lord Of The Squirrels. We didn’t make it very far up Into The Mystic before firing up the saw. Then another, and more, and more trees as we climbed. I wondered if we’d actually make it to LESS by day’s end… We cleared the game winning final tree in the first overtime period (more hockey puns! haha) making the Mystic>LESS>LOTS loop officially open for the season.
Michal gets the first star of the game for riding 2 consecutive days with the big saw in his pack! There were a few annoying snow patches on LESS that should be gone in a week. After work, I joined Ben (WORCA trails director) on a Chief Stick Officer mission to clear trails in the North Of Town. I must admit, after good company, fun riding and all-you-can-eat candy, my main motivation was to witness the Katanaboy in action! This saw is light and runs on sour patch kids! I was impressed, what a blade! Great bike handling too, Ben!
Westside Action
Not wanting to spend the entire week on the saws, the crew performed some outstanding rock stacking to smooth over holes in Bush Doctor and Industrial Society. “Ugh, the worms are out!” Indeed, Spruce Bud Worms have hatched and they are all over my hair... I was pleased to see Nut Hatches, Dark Eyed Juncos and Hairy Woodpeckers eating the worms as they floated down on silk strings. “Watch out for that Barred Owl!” It was a great week for bird watching. In other flying related news, weather permitting, most of the valley’s west side will be getting sprayed to manage the Spruce Bud Worm population between June 10-12. Find more information about the worms and BTK spray in this Pique Newsmagazine article.
See you on the Trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
