Trails BC Organizes its First Trail User Event

On the Trans CanadaTrail

The Coquihalla Summit

TCT

Challenge 2003

On Sunday July 13, the Coquihalla Summit Trans Canada Trail Challenge for the 274 cyclists, walkers, runners, and equestrians became a reality – no thanks to the menacing rainy weather and a major accident on Highway #1 in Langley.

It all started on Saturday evening with a well received performance by the Kettle Valley Brakemen at the Blue Moose Coffee House.  Their performance focuses on the KVR with stories that concerned the very corridor in which we were to trek the next day, a great way to get us in the frame of mind of what we were going to experience.

With the dedication of more than 30 volunteers and the generosity of our supporters we are declaring the event a resounding success judging by the participation at the event and the extraordinary positive feedback that we are receiving.  The 28 people who registered for the event but were unable to make it can still feel good that they nonetheless contributed to its success.  Registrants paid on average $20.50 per person to participate ($25 per person and $45 per family).  The resulting $1,300 surplus will be used towards improving the Trail and get a few major projects started in this corridor. 

For their money, the participants had access to passenger and bike shuttles, a lunch donated by the Coquihalla Lakes Lodge, a printed guide that followed special signs set up for the event, water, prizes, mementos, group spirit, information, and more.

Mayor Gordon Poole of the District of Hope, Don Foxgord, Vice-President Business Development, Tourism BC, Bob Vergette, Vice-President of Operation, Terasen, Sherman Olson represented the TCTF, and Murphy Shewchuk, President of Trails BC addressed the enthusiastic participants at 10:00 a.m. The participants were on their way by 10:30 a.m. as planned  except for a group of about 22 people who were delayed on Highway #1 but persisted on participating an hour later against all odds.  All proceedings were directed by Léon Lebrun, Southwest Regional Director, Trails BC.

It was quite a sight to see the 22 equestrians on their horses led by Larri Woodrow in the back row of a crowd of cyclists, runners, and walkers.  Among the 184 cyclists there were two recumbent bikes, others pulling trailers -- some with a youngster in them, and a tandem bike.  Five runners out of 20 ran 40 km from the Britton Creek Rest Area to Sowaqua via Portia and Jessica.  The 48 walkers, on the whole, were very pleased to reach Portia after their 27.5 km walk to Portia.  All comments were very positive as people crossed the gate at Portia.  The smiles on the participants' faces told all.  Thankfully, they were prepared to wait patiently while the logistics of bringing bicycles and owners together in the shuttles that were taking place.

Thanks to the Canadian Ski Patrol, the few accidents that occurred were looked after by competent first aid attendants.  These few incidents along with a number of flat tires attest to the loose and sharp rocks on Terasen’s utility road in the corridor.  This reminds us that wearing cycling protective gear is a must while travelling on our backcountry trails.

There is still work to be done to make this section of the Trail a highly desired destination on the Trans Canada Trail. To truly complete this segment of the Trail from Coquihalla Lakes to Hope, we need to construct a 200-foot bridge across the Coquihalla River at a point 4 km north of Lear and 2.5 km south of Sowaqua Creek.  This is a critical link that will take cyclists and walkers wanting to enjoy the Trans Canada Trail completely off Highway #5.  With the bridge in place there is no doubt that this route will become a greater and major attraction for cyclists and hikers.  Trail users will be shuttled out of Hope to Coquihalla Lakes offering a 60 km downhill ride or walk taking in the KVR, waterfalls of all kinds, cliffs, a variety of terrain, terrific views, access to other areas, and more.  Cyclists will be able to easily complete this trek in one day as was experienced by as many as 65 cyclists who participated in this event.

This corridor has great tourism potential and could be of great benefit to the District of Hope.  However, before this can occur in a major way there is a need to make the corridor as user friendly as possible while maintaining its wilderness and heritage quality.  The aforementioned bridge needs to be built and more of the KVR needs to be restored over time.  As we add value to the corridor the more it will become a world class attraction.  The resources that can be unlocked to make this happen will certainly reap rewards for the local economy.

With such great features on the Trail, we have shown that Trails BC can and should organize events that reflect the Trans Canada Trail spirit such as this one to popularize and take advantage of  the Trail.  We deliberately limited the number of participants at this event by not publicizing it through the media, and yet, we were faced with turning down a large number of people.  We are hoping that events such as this one will become part of  the Trans Canada Trail culture in the coming years.