Grand Forks ATV had a great year, making many improvements to our trail networks, recreation sites and making great progress on current projects. This “On the Trail” report will be the last for 2023. We look forward to providing more reports in the New Year. Special thank you to all members that have been organizing rides, doing maintenance on the trails, providing photos and reports to the executive.
2023 BC Trails Day Event
Trails of the North Fork
The 2015 recreation site upgrades and trail project has been a very successful project. GF ATV has continued to do maintenance to the recreation sites and maintain these trails and their safety/directional signage. In 2024 we will need to replace damaged signs and continue to maintain these trails for the safety of all users.
Trails of the Paulson
The Trails of the Paulson project has come a long way this season and as this phase of the project draws to a close, we have been busy putting up final kiosks with safety and informational signage.
Here are some highlights:
- Created a great partnership with West Kootenay Sno Goers
- Created a free brochure for the area
- Installed several smaller kiosks with safety and directional signs
- Installed one large kiosk with avalanche, safety, directional, and etiquette information at the 24 Mile staging area
- Established and maintained many great partnerships
Franklin Heritage Trail
The Franklin Heritage Trail project has come a long way this year. Recently members were “on the trail” installing safety direction signs. More signs will be installed in 2024 adding to the value of this historic wagon trail.
- Members have accumulated well over $20,000 in volunteer efforts on the Franklin Heritage Trail this year.
- Funding from partners was used to install large kiosks, a bench, and clear 10 km of overgrown trails.
- We also made much-needed improvements to the Bluejoint Recreation Site located nearby.
Eholt – Pass Creek – Phoenix
Members spent many hours clearing trails and overcoming deep ditches (water bars) on these trails. There is interest from our members to create a “Trails of Phoenix” project. Improving safety on the trails while exploring and highlighting the area’s history.
Grand Forks – Christina Lake Trails (Morrissey, Gilpin, & Stewart)
GF ATV members have worked clearing trails and navigating the recent road deactivation of the Grand Forks – Christina Lake trail network. We have been in communication with the Ministry of Forest working to open dialogue and discuss future road deactivations throughout our complete Trail System.
Christina Lake Trails Alliance
Recently Christina Lake Tourism has formed a collaborative trails alliance. This alliance between trail users is a big step forward, helping to manage the trails in RDKB area C.
Modernization of GF ATV
Our executive has been busy modernizing the Grand Forks ATV website and establishing a foundation for our executive members. This would provide the executive members with online access to the club file system and tools to collaborate online. This is important to the operation of the board and will help to attract new board members.
Events for 2024
Interested in events for 2024? With the above modernization of the club, we are already planning events. If you’re interested in volunteering for any of these events, please contact us at info@grandforksatv.ca.
Christina Lake Greet and Ride
This club event has been discussed and approved to do a feasibility study. We are planning a weekend “Greet and Ride” event for late June, possibly June 21st – 24th. The venue would be dry camping at the Christina Lake Golf Course on the old driving range behind the maintenance building. Lots of room to camp. The weekend would include camping Fri, Sat, and Sun nights, a shorter ride on Friday, and longer rides on Sat and Sun, BBQ on the Saturday night.
Grand Opening – Franklin Heritage Trail
Your club is considering holding a “Heritage Day” at the Bluejoint Recreation Site including a BBQ Lunch and Ride on the Franklin Heritage Trail.
Grand Opening – Trails of the Paulson
With phase one wrapping up, a grand opening to showcase these trails is being considered for 2024.
