The trail approach is now complete on both sides of the pedestrian bridge, giving the trail a nice finished look.Kelley Cook and her crew camped at Peers Creek last night and will be working on the upper portions of Peers Creek all day today.

Thanks again to everyone for their hard work!

Kelly Pearce,
Hope Mountain Centre

On left, a new connecting trail joins the horse crossing at Peers Creek.

The last of the gravel (donated last November by Hope Readymix) was spread along the trail near the parking lot. The gravel pile in the parking lot is now gone!

Caution sign installed by Kelley Cook’s crew at the start of the slide zone.

New Pathways to Gold Society partners Hope Mountain Centre were busy in August making improvements to the HBC Trail between Hope and Otter Lake. Since 2009, dramatic progress has been made in re-opening this historic fur trail over the Cascades.  Hikers and horseback riders can now enjoy a continuous wilderness trail that spans 50 kilometers of scenic alpine meadows and lush old-growth forest. Here’s an update from Hope Mountain Centre’s Kelly Pearce: Friends of the HBC Trail; Special thanks to the six volunteers who worked in the August heat yesterday, improving the HBC Trail at Peers Creek. Our crew came from Hope and Vancouver, and included; Darlene Reid, Anders Hopperstead, Aaron Snider, Rick Raynsford, Glen Keil, Edwin Watts. Some 36 hours of labour were donated to the trail and some great things were accomplished. 

Co-Chair Cheryl Chapman (center, with hammer) helps Terry Raymond et al put the trail marker in place.

What would a trail opening be without putting in place the permanent first trail marker? Everyone’s getting into this act; Co-chairs, Senators, Chiefs, Elders, provincial officials… and only one hammer between them…

… and so we’re done. What a great day! The number of people to thank is endless. So many people have worked hard to make this all happen, and the Senators seemed very moved by the experience. Their tour of the Lower Fraser Canyon continues tomorrow (see the Ladies of the Canyon thread). A relatively early night, some rest, and then, one last trip. Off to Canada’s Hot Spot to see some hot rocks!

…not that any of this ribbon looks like it will be simply left at the site to biodegrade. Everyone wants a piece of it (and why not? It’s beautiful). Senators Poy and Dyck get theirs, as does Marion. Okay, just one more piece of business to take care of…

…Marion gets to cut the ribbon to officially open the trail. Now, this isn’t just any old ribbon, folks: this is a special cedar ribbon, hand-move in the traditional way. A nice touch which Kelly Pearce thought of. Biodegradable too…

Marion Dixon et al cut the cedar ribbon to open the trail.

…the trailhead interpretive sign, a beautiful piece of work in a magnificent cedar frame. Which is only fitting, because next…

Marion Dixon and Chief Hobart unveil the interpretive sign.

No offence, Michael, but good as you are, Spuzzum elder Marion Dixon steals the show, speaking movingly about having been raised in this area as a child and growing into adulthood in the traditional way. She evokes the spirit of the place so vividly, speaks of Elders who she has loved and who have passed on so touchingly that there is not a dry eye in the crowd. And yet, she is perfectly composed as she helps Chief Hobart unveil…

Elder Marion Dixon.