Skip to content

Fernie’s Montane trails closed due to safety concerns

Heavy rain has made the trails soft and some trees have been uprooted
27378827_web1_211209-FFP-MONTANE-pat_1
CCHS volunteers have been repairing and clearing culverts backed up by high rainfall in the Montane trails over the last few days. Picture from Dec. 1 2021. (Image courtesy of Pat GIlmar)

The Montane trails in Fernie have been closed in response to the second major rain event to hit the area in recent weeks.

Volunteer trail manager of the Montane area, Pat Gilmar said that they’d been fixing ruts all through Wednesday, Dec. 1.

He said that the rain event was “not as bad at last time” (being Nov. 14-15), but given the soil was still saturated, conditions were poor for trail maintenance.

“We’ve seen and are getting minor damage - several culverts are plugged and backing up,” he said on the day.

The trails were closed entirely by from Wednesday until at least Friday, Dec. 3 after the rain continued through Wednesday and caused some trees to fall.

Environment Canada forecast 70-90mm of rain would fall in the Elk Valley on Dec. 1, in what was the third ‘atmospheric river’ to bring high rainfall to the province.

The Coal Creek Heritage Society (CCHS), which maintains the Montane trails expected the trails to be open by Dec. 4 - just in time for International Fatbike Day. CCHS will be hosting a free BBQ at the Montane Hut from 1pm to 4pm on Dec. 4.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: Aerial perspective captures changes to Coal Creek near Fernie



scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter