Paul Kubik submitted a request to the FMCBC for money to help with the Sigurd Creek Trail. The FMCBC approved $2000 for this work so look out for more trips coming to increase access to this area. Great job submitting the application Paul! Thanks to the FMCBC!

Hi Ben,

I'm interested in helping out with trail work in that area - I live up in Squamish and often have midweek days off. Contact info below:

Cell: 604-616-4758

Email: mike.gudaitis@gmail.com

Cheers, 

Mike

Hi Mike, I sent you a PM.

Plan is 5 to 7 days around mid August timeframe. The plan is to fly the tools and gear in and out. We will hike out with some tools. If the party size is small we can fly in or maybe individuals can subsidize their personal flight if it comes to that.

Paul.

I just wanted to give you an update. The work was funded by the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC through its trails fund. We received $2000. The camp ran August 9th to 15th. I was joined by veteran trail builders Peter Malacarne and Doug Lonsbrough. We set up a camp below the north face of Ossa Mountain in the glacial outwash plain. We used the same site as last year. The outhouse facility we installed last year is still intact.

Our primary objective was to clear a route to Ossa Camp below the west ridge of Ossa Mountain. For this end, we cleared a path through the moraine on the west side of the outwash plain. Rather than use the line of least resistance path that had evolved over the years, we relocated a significant portion of the rest of the route to Ossa Camp. The route we developed avoids swampy and wet ground while still following a logical line to the camp. The route was cleared and rejoins the pre-existing route a short distance below the lakes where the upper camp lies.

Our secondary objective was to scout a route down into Sigurd headwaters. This objective was also met. The route roughly follows the 1230 meter contour along a heathered bench west of the moraine. The Ossa Camp trail branches off from the bench route about one third of the way along. The end of the bench is approximately one kilometer west of Moraine Camp. At its end, the route drops steeply down a vegetated gully for a vertical distance of 75 meters. The gully can mostly be hiked without the assistance of hands. At this time of year the gully was dry. We stopped flagging at the bottom of the gully. Having spent numerous bushwhacks examining possible routes from Moraine Camp into the headwaters, I firmly believe the 1230 meter contour and the 75 meter gully is the best option for accessing the headwaters of Sigurd Creek.

From the bottom of the 75 meter gully, generally open, rolling terrain leads to the upper lakes in Sigurd headwaters. The vegetation type in the headwaters is typically heather, thickets of mountain azalea and subalpine timber. Areas of sedge and grass occur in seasonally wet areas. The heathered bench this year has a particularly good harvest of large juicy and sweet blueberries. We saw a lot of bear sign on the bench. We did not spend much time examining the headwaters but did notice deer prints in muddy areas and the presence of a game trail in heavy timber. We did not observe any other ungulates or recognize any scat from other species.

From a wildlife and environmental impact point of view, what we call Moraine Camp is clearly the least harmful campsite option on the Ossa approach. We observed no large animal scat in the camp area. Wildlife would have difficulty traversing the enormous piles of boulders west of the camp. Below the camp is a huge slide alder swath. Above camp is steep rock and glacier. East of camp is the other side of the moraine, again presenting difficulty of access. It also has a good water source - a glacial stream. A prevailing wind off the glacier offers respite from annoying bugs which can be horrendous at times. The flat outwash plain provides for a lot of low impact tent sites. There is an established outhouse facility.

Ossa Camp has the greater potential to impact wildlife because there is more vegetation and the presence of a large blueberry crop nearby. It links to Sigurd headwaters by the route I described or other bush routes so is easily accessible to wildlife. The lake water sources at the camp are questionable for potable water. There is no permanently flowing stream. There is no outhouse facility. There are no flat tent sites. The camp's only advantage is that it is closer to the west ridge of Ossa. However, this advantage is lessened now that there is a decent footpath through the moraine. I estimate it is only twenty to thirty minutes from Moraine Camp to Ossa Camp with a light pack. A reasonable party could easily camp at the moraine and still make short work of the climb. It would also save carrying a heavy overnight pack the final 300 meters up to the higher camp.