TRAIL CLOSURE – TRACKS FROM HELL
Tracks from Hell is closed until further notice due to logging in that area. The Summer Trail crew has dismantled the boardwalk so that it can be saved and re-used when the trail is reconstructed post logging. Note that this section of the trail is on private land, and the owners, Merrill and Ring, have been gracious in allowing mountain bikers (and others) to use their lands to create trails and ride. Once harvesting is completed, the trail will be reconstructed.
Logging activities by the private land owner adjacent to the powerlines will also affect Plum Smuggler and Word of Mouth. Logging in this area has also started, and will likely be completed in about a month’s time. For your own safety, people are advised to avoid these areas during active logging. Again, these trails will be reconstructed after logging has been completed
Does anyone have a link to a current land tenure map for Squamish?
Bottom line is that the land that is being harvested is private property and as such the land owners have the right to do with it what they wish. This company is a logging company based in Washington and have owned this and other large chunks of land in Squamish for almost 100 years. The area that is being harvested now was first harvested 60 or so years ago so it is not like this is old growth timber. The impitus for this area to be logged is the IPP that is under consideration for the valley. Just wait to see how much impact to the trail network this IPP is going to have if it is approved. 20 years ago when they first started logging the parcel above Perth Drive SORCA and Merrill and Ring came to a handshake agreement in that “we will let you play on our land however when we come to log it don’t b$%ch. They could have said this is private property go away and stay off our land. We are going to see more logging over the next 5 years on Diamondhead and then by and large all the harvesting will be done for the next 60-80 years.
This is simply sad. Core recreation trails accessible and fun for many riders … and so close to the park. These are the kind of trails that are fun for all residents, help bring tourist $$ and provide a positive awareness of Squamish. The current logging along Mashiter Creek is an embarrasment. Too bad some land exchange couldn’t have been arranged to save the integrity of this area – it’s quite common when environmental assessments are conducted for development purposes – why not for logging land that has prime recreation value – not that I blame the current owners. So short sighted – and so poorly aligned with an apparent Outdoor Recreation Captial of Canada.