With the snow melting as fast as the COVID-19 situation is progressing, many trails in the Elk Valley that would usually see ample foot traffic at this time of year are unfortunately closed.
For starters, BC Parks has closed all of their parks, including protected areas, recreation areas, ecological reserves, and conservancies. As a result, front and backcountry camping in parks is forbidden until May 31, 2020, with full refunds issued to those with existing reservations.
The decision came as a result of the parks having seen peak season levels of visitors in the last few weeks, including overflowing parking lots and a lack of social distancing on crowded trails that negatively affected both facilities and the environment. Due to these measures being put into place, public and vehicle access to all roads, day use areas, beaches, boat launches, trails, lakes, and backcountry zones on BC Parks land is prohibited. Those trespassing can face up to a $115 fine.
As a result, Mount Fernie Provincial Park is closed, however local city owned trails in Fernie remain open. This excludes city based playgrounds. Other trails outside of the provincial park, such as the Montane trails, are also still accessible as long as dogs are on leash and physical distancing practices are followed at parking lots, trailheads, and on trails.
For more information and maps related to trail closures in Mount Fernie Provincial Park, visit the Fernie Trails Alliance website at Fernietrailsalliance.com or refer to Trailforks for a comprehensive list of trail closures. The Fernie Trails Alliance also seeks to remind the public that logging trucks are active on River Road, so users are warned to be aware of increased traffic.
With regard to more closures, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is also postponing seasonal openings of their parks, including the Elk Valley Regional Park.
“Across the entire region, signage is being posted at all of our parks and trails regarding facilities/amenities being closed, such as picnic tables, picnic shelters, washrooms and playground structures which vary depending on the specific park or trail. If individuals choose to visit a green space for walking, we are urging them to abide by all physical distancing guidelines, and there should be no group gatherings of any size,” said Loree Duczek, communications manager for the RDEK.
Currently, camping and motorized recreation is also prohibited in the Koocanusa Recreation Strategy area, however recreation is allowed on designated trails and roads during the day, insofar as users adhere to social distancing protocols. The call was made in an effort to both respect orders from the provincial health officer, as well as to prevent further environmental damage.
In an effort to promote social distancing efforts, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has also closed all of their publicly accessible trails and conservation properties in British Columbia.
Specific to the Elk Valley, they have closed the Elk Valley Conservation Areas in Hosmer, the Morrissey area, and Mount Broadwood. In the East Kootenay, closures stand for the Dutch Creek Hoodoos, Luxor Linkage Conservation Area, Columbia Lake Lot 48, Marion Creek Benchlands, Kootenay River Ranch, and all conservation lands in the Wycliffe conservation corridor.
Thankfully, the NCC is offering alternatives to the use of their sites, including coast to coast virtual hikes using Google Trekker footage at Natureconservancy.ca/trekker. They also seek to create other online activities to momentarily replace nature for the public.
In Sparwood, all trails remain open other than those on NCC lands. This being said, Calvin Domin, director of the Sparwood Trails Alliance urges those who use trails to be mindful of the muddy conditions, using the trail networks in the morning before melting begins in an effort to reduce erosion.
“The majority of our surrounding trails are a heavy mix of ice and mud, and are probably not going to clear before mid May,” said Domin. “[If you do decide to head out,] don’t go in large groups, maintain a two metre radius, and if you are meeting with a friend please arrive in separate vehicles to the trail head. Even so, I believe now more than ever that families who live together should spend time outdoors by enjoying fresh air and getting vitamin D.”
Provincially, a recreation order is in effect, meaning that all recreation sites with camping facilities are to be closed until May 31. This means that all recreation facilities both for winter and summer activities such as overnight shelters, day use shelters, kiosks, and ticket booths are also closed. Recreation trails are still open where possible, though the public is urged to practice social distancing, avoid traveling outside of their communities, and partake in low risk activities when on trails.
In terms of local campgrounds, the Mountain Shadows Campground in Sparwood is closed to the public, and will not be opening on May 1. In Elkford, the district along with the Elkford Lions Club have similarly decided to keep the Elkford Municipal Campground closed until further notice.
Teck’s land holdings also remain closed to overnight camping at this time, however residents are still permitted to use the areas during the day, so long as social distancing protocols are followed.
Visitors are urged to first consult the Recreation Sites and Trails BC site for more information about closures before heading out, at Sitesandtrailsbc.ca.
editor@thefreepress.ca
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