As the sun was beating down nearly 30 degree temperatures on the Elk Valley over the weekend, a work crew in Elkford was getting a trail cabin prepped for winter.
A couple of families and members of the Elkford Snowmobile Alliance (ESA) were out under the sun for most of the day Saturday working on the Koko Claims / Crossing Creek Trail warm-up shelter, according to Jason Miller of the ESA.
“It went really well,” he said. “It was hot.”
Aside from some work that was done the previous weekend on the ESA-maintained trail, it was the first official work done this season on the warm-up shelter. They also did some trail tidying this weekend.
The cabin, which has been up for a few years, needed a bit of maintenance and supply stocking. The crew worked on a handrail that was damaged by snow, a railing was built for the outhouse, and firewood was split and stacked in the shed.
The cabin is not meant for overnight stays, but for people to warm up with or use in the case of an emergency, Miller said.
In the winter, the trail is for snowmobiles, but capable vehicles like a truck or quad can also make us of it in the summer.
“It’s kind of treacherous, there’s some rocky sections, and it’s not for the faint of heart to drive over.”
Aside from mosquitoes, the day’s work went well, according to Miller.
“It was a success, for sure.”
More work is planned for next weekend on another cabin that the ESA maintains, about 40 to 50 kilometres north of Elkford, Miller said. That cabin is due for roof repairs.“(We’re doing) summer maintenance while the weather is good.” More information about the ESA, about membership or how to help out can be found at their Facebook page.