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CanWel to start logging above Fernie

Logging will be carried out above the Ridgemont area to the east of town in coming weeks
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The entrance to the Kush trail above Fernie has been damaged by logging prep work, but according to the FTA no other trails will be affected. Pictured: Entrance to Kush trail on Apr. 6 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Forestry company, CanWel appears to be gearing up to carry out logging above Fernie, within sight of downtown on private land they own.

Preparation works are underway to the east of town, above Ridgemont Rd. The entrance to the Kush mountain biking trail has been damaged by tracked machinery preparing the area for logging access.

Logging plans were confirmed by the Fernie Trails Alliance, which manages trails uphill of Ridgemont.

“We are happy to report that CanWel is planning for logging to occur above the Kush trail, and below the Bear Chutes trail, meaning that none of the FTA trails should be impacted,” said Todd Penke of the FTA, who added that while the entrance to the Kush trail will be affected, the FTA would carry out repairs as required when logging was completed.

“Additionally, CanWel has stated that Upper Bear Chutes will be used by Equipment, but they intend to smooth out any ruts that may occur.”

Ridgemont Road at the entrance to Kush Trail, where the small wooden bridge over the gutter has been crushed by machinery accessing the area for logging. Pictured Apr. 6 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Ridgemont Road at the entrance to Kush Trail, where the small wooden bridge over the gutter has been crushed by machinery accessing the area for logging. Pictured Apr. 6 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

While the logging is being carried out, Kid’s Stuff and R-Trail will be closed. They are both marked as closed on Trailforks for safety reasons. As of Apr. 8, the trails in that area are under snow, and not usable for mountain biking.

While The Free Press could not confirm the scope of the logging activity or how much hillside would be logged, the works are expected to be carried out over coming weeks.

CanWel did not respond to any queries.

Map of the trails in the area that logging will take place. Kush, Kid’s Stuff and R-Trail will be closed, while Bear Chutes will be used for machinery. (Image courtesy of TrailForks)
Map of the trails in the area that logging will take place. Kush, Kid’s Stuff and R-Trail will be closed, while Bear Chutes will be used for machinery. (Image courtesy of TrailForks)

READ MORE: ‘The time of year to stay off the trails’: Mountain bikers head out of the Elk Valley for riding



scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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