Report on Whistler Area Hiking Trails For FWAC Meeting January 11, FWAC Hiking Trails Task Force

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1 Report on Whistler Area Hiking Trails For FWAC Meeting January 11, 2012 FWAC Hiking Trails Task Force 11/12/2011 1

2 INTRODUCTION How did we start this? Recognized unacceptable condition of alpine hiking trails and access to trailheads Alpine hiking trails have deteriorated over 30 years while Whistler has grown. Worried about ignoring and losing this valuable resource Huge opportunity for Whistler as a premier mountain resort to offer alpine HIKING as a major summer recreation By attracting more visitors - $$$ for local economy Truly sustainable core activity Can be enjoyed by all locals and visitors, young and old No fancy skills required except being able to walk Gives our children and grand-children a healthy workout in Nature FWAC agreed and HTTF formed 11/12/2011 2

3 FWAC DIRECTIVE Mandate for report Inventory of existing hiking trails Identify potential new hiking trails Assess maintenance needs and priorities Jurisdiction # Trails Kms. BC Parks (BCP) BCP/Squamish Forest District (SFD) 5 19 Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) RMOW/SFD 5 64 SFD Whistler-Blackcomb 9 22 Chekamus and Green river drainage from BOB to Nairn Falls as per FWAC charter 11/12/2011 3

4 WHISTLER BLACKCOMB Only jurisdiction in this area that has build new trails in recent years Promote Spearhead Hut to Hut trail system Support the proposed trail from Cheakamus Lake to Singing Pass Provide services/funds for other trails outside their tenure Realize importance of hiking as a core recreation for the resort Co-operation requested: a) To help in providing new access to Singing Pass Trail. b) To minimize potential conflict at Khyber Pass trail. 11/12/2011 4

5 BC PARKS Has seen drastic cuts in funding None of the masterplans for trails of the last 10 years have proceeded Currently only bare minimum maintenance provided on existing trails Callaghan Lake site gets little use because of access road problems and no trails are available into Callaghan park from parking area boat access only to Cirque lake trail Brandywine Falls Park has good trail options that basically only need better signs. Co-operation requested: a) To move gate on Black Tusk Microwave Tower Road to higher elevation. b) To keep gate open year round at Brandywine Falls Park (snowshoeing advertised at information kiosk and website) 11/12/2011 5

DETAIL TRAIL REPORTS AND MAPS TRAIL NAME SYSTEM STATUS Length Priority Value Difficulty Access Number in KM Rating Rating Rating To TH W Trails on West Side W1.1 Tricouni West Trail W1.

6 DETAIL TRAIL REPORTS AND MAPS TRAIL NAME SYSTEM STATUS Length Priority Value Difficulty Access Number in KM Rating Rating Rating To TH W Trails on West Side W1.1 Tricouni West Trail W1.2 Tricouni East Trail W1.3 Roe Creek - Cypress Peak W1.4 Cloudburst from Chance Creek Route (Current) Tricouni Existing High A1B HC4x4 Tricouni Existing High A1A HC4x4 Tricouni Proposed High A2C 4x4 Tricouni Proposed Medium A2C 4x4 Addendum IV has trail listings. All Maps, Detail trail reports and estimates are available in digital form 11/12/2011 6

7 SOME HISTORY Forest Service Trail Development then and now RMOW concentration on Offroad Cycling Trails Current situation DETERIORATED HIKING TRAILS TO OUR MOUNTAINS Illegal Gates block access! We have lost access as well as trails 11/12/2011 7

8 SURVEY BY TW IN SUMMER Shopping in Village Hiking Combined Peak to Peak Hiking on WB Hiking outside WB Biking on local trails Swimming/Sunbathing Downhill MB Attending Event Ziptrek Adventure Zone 0 Participation Rate in % 11/12/2011 8

The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal is a response to the following observations: 1) Whistler s success as a resort and as a community is

9 The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal is a response to the following observations: 1) Whistler s success as a resort and as a community is based on outdoor recreation and access to a pristine mountain environment. 2) Demand for outdoor recreation in the Whistler area is growing dramatically. 3) Supply of recreation facilities has remained the same or worsened since the signing of the Whistler Local Resource Use Plan (LRUP) in ) Present funding levels for recreation in the Whistler LRUP are not able to cover basic maintenance let alone develop new facilities. 5) The current structure of the Ministry of Forests (MoF) Provincial program is inadequate for planning recreation on the scale required by a resort community like Whistler. 6) Conflicts between user groups (i.e. heli-hiking and hiking) will grow without proper management; BC Lands tenuring process may overemphasize commercial recreation to the detriment of non-commercial recreation and community interests. Cheakamus Lake Trail Garibaldi Park

The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The Madely-Cougar Trail Network is the main recreational facility proposed for the whistler Resort Recreation Area.

10 The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The Madely-Cougar Trail Network is the main recreational facility proposed for the whistler Resort Recreation Area. It would include a total of 180 km of trails 119 km of hiking trails and 61 km of mountain biking trails (6) The main benefit to users of the trail system will be multiple access points and therefore a multitude of recreation possibilities: from easy interpretive nature trails to a 6-8 hour loop hike through 19-Mile Valley to Rainbow Mountain and to Rainbow Lake Trail; to a multiday traverse of the LRUP from Cougar Mountain to Callaghan Lake (and conceivably continuing on to link with Brandywine Mountain (6) Long Lake Sunset Cougar Mountain backcountry

The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The basic premise of the trail system will follow the preference shown by visitors and residents for day trips versus overnight hikes.

11 The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The basic premise of the trail system will follow the preference shown by visitors and residents for day trips versus overnight hikes. The majority of trails proposed offer an incredible opportunity to view the beauty of the Whistler-area mountains within a relatively easy day s walk from one of several entry points. (6) Consistency of experience is more than consistency of trail design.[a]ll efforts must be made towards matching users expectations and abilities with Whistler LRUP facilities. (7) Whistler Youth Green River to 16-Mile Creek via Cougar Mountain two day crossing on Cougar Mountain to Screaming Cat route

12 Brandywine to Brew via the Squa/Cheak Divide ACC Whistler

The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The Madely-Cougar Trail Network is a concept that argues for comprehensive planning of the forest and alpine lands in the Whistler LRUP.

13 The Whistler Resort Recreation Area Proposal (1992) The Madely-Cougar Trail Network is a concept that argues for comprehensive planning of the forest and alpine lands in the Whistler LRUP. With appropriate funding and commitment from the RMOW and other agencies, it would provide unsurpassed recreation opportunities for Whistler residents and visitors (7) Colin Fussell and Bryce Leigh on Brew Fee Divide Day Two on the Squa/Cheak Divide

14 Kevin Titus at Rainbow Mountain NE Ridge Skywalk Alpine Connector

15 Misty Morning Cougar Mountain Backcountry

16 Early Fall Flowers Skywalk Trail Route Above Screaming Cat Lake

17 Rainbow Skywalk Trail Above Screaming Cat Lake

18 Spearhead Summer Route Summer Explorations by ACC Whistler, BCMC, and ACC Vancouver

19 Spearhead Summer Route Summer Explorations by ACC Whistler, BCMC, and ACC Vancouver

20 Spearhead Summer Route Summer Explorations by ACC Whistler, BCMC, and ACC Vancouver

21 Spearhead Summer Route Summer Explorations by ACC Whistler, BCMC, and ACC Vancouver

Trail Offerings Sierras, Tetons, Absarokas,

Several trailheads accessed by paved roads to 10

22 Trail Offerings Sierras, Tetons, Absarokas, Sawtooths Bishop, CA. Several trailheads accessed by paved roads to ft. +. Parking for several hundred vehicles. Parking lots full by 0930 each day. Several trail crews working during the summer season many volunteer with salaried supervisor.

Parking for several thousand vehicles. Parking lots full by 0930 each day.

23 Trail Offerings Sierras, Tetons, Absarokas, Sawtooths Yosemite National Park, CA. Several trailheads accessed by paved roads from ft. +. Parking for several thousand vehicles. Parking lots full by 0930 each day. Several trail crews working during the summer season many volunteer with salaried supervisor.

Parking for 30 100 vehicles. Parking lots full by 0900 each day.

24 Desolation Wilderness, Lake Tahoe, CA. Several trailheads accessed by paved roads from ft. +. Parking for vehicles. Parking lots full by 0900 each day. Several trail crews working during the summer season many volunteer with salaried supervisor. Trail Offerings Sierras, Tetons, Absarokas, Sawtooths

25 Trail Offerings Sierras, Tetons, Absarokas, Sawtooths Desolation Wilderness, Lake Tahoe, CA. Several trailheads accessed by paved roads from ft. +. Parking for vehicles. Parking lots full by 0900 each day. Several trail crews working during the summer season many volunteer with salaried supervisor.

Several trailheads accessed by paved roads from 10 000 12

26 Trail Offerings Sierras, Tetons, Absarokas, Sawtooths White Mountains, Lone Pine, CA. Several trailheads accessed by paved roads from ft. +. Parking for vehicles. One trail crew working during the summer season, USFS.

27 Well-maintained Trail High Note, Whistler Mountain Collapsed Bridge Singing Pass Trail, repaired October 2011 Whistler Area Trail Conditions Vary.

28 Trail Closed Singing Pass Trail Unmaintained Trail Brandywine Meadows Trail Whistler Area Trail Conditions Vary.

29 Unofficial Trail Sproatt Mountain Whistler Area Trail Conditions Vary. Unmaintained Trail Shadow Lake

30 Existing and future trails discussion 1 Comparing Whistler area trails with those of other resorts 2 Trail Inventory Alpine trails Mountain summit hikes 3 Summary of visitor and local hiking needs 4 What does the visitor want? Typical requirements of hiking vacation. A challenging Grouse grind or Chieftain for Whistler 11/12/

31 1A. COMPARING WHISTLER AREA TRAILS WITH THOSE OF OTHER MOUNTAIN RESORTS Comparison with Canmore Natural advantages of Canmore; Timberline only 600 m from trailheads Fewer bugs Much less undergrowth- easy trail maintenance Snow melts sooner Alberta spends much more on Parks, trails. Other differences Canmore tourists receive brochure with good topo maps rather than descriptive sheets provided in Whistler 8 trails from valley bottom to Mountain summits within 10 km versus 3 in Whistler 11/12/

32 1B. COMPARING WHISTLER AREA TRAILS WITH THOSE OF OTHER MOUNTAIN RESORTS Washington State. Very high quality trails. State spends 579 $per park hectare compared to 2.5 $/hectare in BC Europe. High trailheads, most of day spent above timberline, Extensive trail network Good signposting and trail marking Great hut system Conveniently located cafes. Grande Routes- Multi day hiking routes with network of huts, Dortoires etc. 11/12/

Many of our local trails have complex access, normally requiring a knowledge of the forestry

33 1C. COMPARING WHISTLER AREA TRAILS WITH THOSE OF OTHER MOUNTAIN RESORTS One of biggest attractions of BC trails is that most trails go through wilderness areas with few hikers. Many of our local trails have complex access, normally requiring a knowledge of the forestry road system and 4WD vehicle. There is often some bushwhacking. This is not attractive to visitors 11/12/

34 1D. Comparing Whistler Area Trails with those of other Mountain resorts- Squamish In 2011 the Squamish Chieftain trail averaged 1400 people per day on average summer weekend. Recorded 2500 people on one day at long weekend. Squamish has several hiking clubs, a trail Society and a Trail Coordinator who is paid by the municipality 11/12/

2A: CURRENT TRAIL INVENTORY- ALPINE The four classic Whistler Alpine trails used to be; Singing Pass Rainbow Lake Brandywine Meadows Wedgemount Lake Singing Pass trail has lost its parking lot and

We recommend to provide access from the IPP, which would shorten the trail Rainbow Lake trail is in very poor condition. The old Brandywine trail is appalling- little better than a bushwhack.

35 2A: CURRENT TRAIL INVENTORY- ALPINE The four classic Whistler Alpine trails used to be; Singing Pass Rainbow Lake Brandywine Meadows Wedgemount Lake Singing Pass trail has lost its parking lot and the hiker now faces danger from mountain bikers, a steep 15 metre dirt cliff and 12 km hiking each way with poor views. We recommend to provide access from the IPP, which would shorten the trail Rainbow Lake trail is in very poor condition. The old Brandywine trail is appalling- little better than a bushwhack. Locals bypass it by driving high on logging roads. The meadows are very wet and require boardwalk The old Brandywine trail cannot be recommended to anyone Wedgemount Lake trails is still steep and too hard for many hikers. Has a reputation as a tough trip. Access road also needs improvement. 11/12/

36 2B: CURRENT TRAIL INVENTORY- ALPINE Other Alpine trails There has been no improvement in Garibaldi Park trails in recent decades why no trail to the delightful Mt Price? The obvious link from Cheakamus Lake to Singing Pass has never been completed. WB are supporting this development and we would be happy to see progress on this. Whistler Blackcomb alpine areas are first class but tend to be busy. Gondola and ski lift hours of operation are limited compared to European resorts and Banff. Sproatt Mtn has a huge sub-alpine plateau which has no easy hiker access from village Rainbow E flank is a spectacular line for a trail- but no trail at present 11/12/

37 2C: Current trail inventory- Mountains 4WD only Gondola limited hrs Parkin g lotlong issue day Gate d Bush- Whack No signs Brandywine Tricouni Cloudburst Sproatt Rainbow Cook (Rethel, P- hurst) Blackcomb Decker/Torey Whistler Fissile/Whirlwind Black tusk 11/12/

38 3: SUMMARY VISITOR & LOCALS HIKING NEEDS Hiker Profile Wants Required to Fulfill Casual (local/bc or guest) Serious Guest Serious Local/BC TW survey - hiking the #1 summer guest activity Create a Whistler magnet = $$$ economic potential Memorable/Scenic Hikeable at lower fitness/experience level Doable in 4 hours or less Mapped/Well marked Memorable/Scenic Day hikes Big hikes with similar reward Mapped/Well marked Memorable/Scenic Big hikes with similar reward Easy access (2WD) TH Sign/ Trail markers Good condition < 500 m elevation gain Up to moderate difficulty Easy access (2WD) or local help (4WD) TH Sign/ Trail markers Fair condition Up to 1500 m elevation gain Difficulty up to Advanced Controlled wilderness / no bushwhacking Local knowledge/4wd Trail/Off Trail Wilderness / Bushwhacking acceptable Will do multi-day hikes WB meets casual needs Issues $$$ for families Not enough for repeat guests Do we send guests out of Whistler (e.g. Joffre Lakes) or keep them in Whistler? 11/12/

39 4A WHAT DOES THE VISITOR WANT? Typical hiking vacation for mature hiker 5 to 10 days of hiking. Normally overnight in hotel or good campsite. Eat out except lunch. Typical day climbing elevation metres vertical and 15 Plus Km. Occasional off day or short day (High Note trail might be such a short day) Most hiking above tree line with views Hikers don t generally want to - bushwhack or hike off trail Hikers generally prefer circuits to returning same way Such visitors don t have 4WD or knowledge of forestry roads Many hikers like to reach a Summit each day To support such visitors Whistler needs a network of at least 5 suitable trails. At present we don t have many trails that meet the criteria. 11/12/

4B: POPULAR FITNESS TRAIL- QUICK TRIP TO ALPINE OR QUICK SUMMIT OPTIONS ARE: Cougar Mtn from Helipad. 800m vertical from Heli-pad. Incredible views on top and some good views on way up.

40 4B: POPULAR FITNESS TRAIL- QUICK TRIP TO ALPINE OR QUICK SUMMIT OPTIONS ARE: Cougar Mtn from Helipad. 800m vertical from Heli-pad. Incredible views on top and some good views on way up. Whistler Mtn from CN Rail tower. Trail exists. Road was built with public money but is now gated Sproatt Mtn from Rainbow Lake trail m vertical. Mainly dry terrain. Can easily be expanded to loop using existing snowmobile access or via Gin and Tonic Lakes. Requires 500 m vertical of trail clearing plus some cairns. 2WD access to TH; Good/Marked trail ; All levels Test of fitness; Repetitive Challenge; Quick access to Alpine Offer a popular local mountain trail that brings people back to Whistler 11/12/

41 TOP PRIORITIES Priorities within Municipal Boundaries Rework Rainbow Lake Trail Maintain Flank Trail North (to complete Skywalk Loop) Improve Crater Rim Trail Popular Fitness Trail (RMOW from Heli-port) Upgrade Cougar Mountain Road (in RMOW boundary) Upgrade West Main Service Road to Logger s Lake TH, possibly to Jane Lakes TH Improve East Main Service Road to Cheakamus Lake TH (Paving should be considered as an option to expensive annual grading) Initially invest $300,000 per year for 3 years - From RMI Fund 11/12/

42 TOP PRIORITIES Priorities outside Municipal Boundaries Construct Skywalk Route (including Screaming Cat Lake Trail) Construct Cougar Mountain Loop Route Construct Sproatt Ridge Route Popular Fitness Trail (SFD from Heli-port) Improve Rainbow Lake Madely Lake Trail Upgrade Cougar Mountain Road (start from RMOW boundary) to connect to (Screaming Cat Lake) TH Initially invest $300,000 per year for 3 years - from BC Timber Sales 11/12/

43 PRIORITIZING REMAINING TRAILS Other trails in Addendum IV/digital files List developed to allow Sort by Status/Jurisdiction/Priority/Value/Difficulty/Access Review by Cost/Timeframe/Section priority Priority based on ease of access, trail condition and value for effort 11/12/

44 MANAGING THE TRAIL RESOURCE Trail Coordinator Office Trails Strategy for whole region with partners Volunteer advisory committee Cost-effective trail building (Voluntourism) Use local volunteers for trail maintenance TW take active role first in the development and funding and then in the promotion of our alpine hiking trails Recognize alpine hiking as important economic resource and fundamental part of Whistler /12/

45 OUR VISION IN 3 YEARS Village Hosts will direct guests to at least 5 great alpine trails within Whistler (not Joffre) TW promotes hiking in Whistler Accurate maps and website available Volunteers from afar want to come here for multi-days to work trails alongside locals $$$ into community (direct and spinoff) from increased Summer Tourism We see this as an achievable action plan based on current budgetary restraint and we really hope that more can be achieved so Whistler is recognized among the premier mountain resorts in NA for alpine hiking Along with the Spearhead Hut project Whistler hiking will be renowned 11/12/

NEXT We can be contacted through the ACC, Whistler section Or by email: whistlertrails@hotmail.

46 NEXT We can be contacted through the ACC, Whistler section Or by Presentation of survey results by RMOW Parks followed by Q/A and Discussion... 11/12/

Report on Whistler Area Hiking Trails

Report on Whistler Area Hiking Trails DRAFT Revision R2 FWAC HIKING TRAIL TASK FORCE January 2, 2012 This report has been produced at the request of the Forest and Wildlife Advisory Committee (FWAC). It