Trails Update: October 31, 2025
omen!
Over the weekend… mid ride… I found some Chanterelles, Hedgehogs and… “Cat’s Tongues!” Unprepared for such bounty, I filled my pockets, vowing to return with a basket. The weather forecast made it clear that trail work season would soon be over. There’s no question that I’m in denial! There are always more little fixes left on my to-do list and the slippery root riding season has barely commenced. After completing a few more touch-ups on Middle Danimal, the Michals and I set out across the valley to haul out our tools stashes. I charged towards Jane lakes at sunrise, knowing my pack would be heavy for the return ride. My feet got soaked in the first creek crossing but I pedaled onward. The Cottonwoods had coated the FSR in gold leaves that muffled my tires. My mind wandered from season highlights (for this text) to winter plans, frequently distracted by larger than possible mushrooms. And then, suddenly, there were cats! Just 40m ahead, two Cougars were heading my way! Overtaken by instinct, I cawed “Argh Argh!” which probably confused them (and me)! The cats turned back and leapt over the creek, showing off their grace and ridiculously long tail. They were startled and I knew that turning to escape was not a good choice so I stood my ground and cawed some more. They scurried into the forest and I felt “safe”: they could not stealthily outflank me through the open boulder field above. I stared in their direction for what felt like an eternity. Not wanting to turn my back to these fantastic felines, I backed away slowly. Suspecting these were probably the cats responsible for several closures and rescues earlier this summer, I knew better than to carry onward. The next morning, I brought backup! The Michals joined me so we seized the opportunity to cross some T’s and dot some I’s in the area before hauling the tools out in heavy snow. On to snowboarding then!
we’ll call it a season
I want to thank the WORCA trail crew for their fantastic work this season: Michal, Michal, Vera, Braiden, Jacob, Josh and Reilly all elevated their game this year! Modernizing Pura Vida, Smoothing Lord of the Squirrels, upgrading the Dessert platter, repairing Gargamel, Yummy Numby, Out There, Bring On the Weekend… I can’t pick a favorite project… !!! but, it’s definitely Lord of the Squirrels. We could not have done even more without the help of this community’s tireless volunteers: Líl’wat Ka-xléq-a (Líl’wat Rolling) Youth riding group and Whistler Waldorf School (Cut Yer’ Roots), Whistler Secondary School Outdoor Leadership Program (Delineator) plus the WORCA Dig Night and Mornings volunteers (AM/PM, Delineator, Low Expectations, Green Jello, Rock Rabbit!). Ben and Sarah made sure everyone was well fed, and Laura lined up all of our sponsors. Special shout out to Nicole and Trevor for keeping me in the “right” lane… It’s an honor and a privilege to care for this community’s trails and we could not do it without financial support from the RMOW, WORCA Super Supporters, donors and sponsors.
See you at the Peak chair!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
