New Watersprite Lake Trail
Hello BCMCers (*Map and Description Updated May 24th 2016*)
I am starting this thread to keep the club informed as to the progress of the construction of the New Watersprite Lake Trail which I am spearheading. This trail has been granted full Section 57 authorization.
The trail, which begins at Skookum IPP Water intake dam, is shown on the map below. It is utilizing past clearing efforts in both 2014 and 2015 and will be approximately 8 KM when complete.
From the parking area at the yellow gate, ascend a steep old gravel road on the right for approximately 50 meters. Follow the flagged and cairned trail across the rubble gravel field until reaching an old logging road (marked with a 0 KM sign, cairn and orange marker). The first 1.5 KM utilizes old logging roads, followed by a short 200 meter connector trail. This connector trail joins the old "S Line" at the upper right (Northeast) of the first map. Once on the S Line the trail turns right (south). Update May 24th 2016 - After two more weekends of heavy work, the S Line is now cleared all the way to Skookum S1. As anticipated, the Skookum S1 Logging Spur is mostly clear of bush. I will post updates as to our progress on the site.
The new trail will utilize an old logging road on the north side Watersprite Creek. By using this road, approximately one kilometer of the old trail (and swamp) is avoided completely. This road parallels the old Watersprite Lake Trail for over 1.1 Kilometers as is seen on the second map.
Map of First 4 KM (Trail Currently is the route in purple and ends at the Skookum S1 Logging Spur)
An overview of the entire new trail (under construction):
A photo of the Watersprite Trail Building Crew in Action on the old Skookum S Line:
Construction Update:
The Watersprite Lake Trail is now 4.7 KM in length and extends 700 meters up the old Skookum Watersprite Spur. This is 2 KM short of the road end and 3 KM short of Watersprite Lake.
Bush on the resloped and deactivated Skookum Waterpsprite Spur is very light. The Skookum S1 spur, which experienced a debris torrent and landslide last year has been cleared and refurbished by the BCMC work crew.
More detailed mapping and data on the New Watersprite Lake Trail can be found on bivouac at the following link:
Construction Update July 2016 - The Clearing of logging roads is complete. The new Watersprite Lake Trail is now 7.2 KM in length.
A View of the Skookum Valley from the Skookum-Watersprite Spur (New Watersprite Lake Trail) with Paul Ridge and Opal Cone in the background. At the valley bottom is the Opal Cone Lava flow on the North Side of Skookum Creek. This picture is taken at KM 5 of the new trail. The Skookum-Watersprite Spur is 3 KM long and features uninterrupted open views for nearly its entirety.
