How Trails Get Built
It takes a lot of work and a big team effort to build new trails. Photo by Olly Hogan
By Alex Cooper
Note: An earlier version of this article was published in the Revelstoke Mountaineer magazine.
The Revelstoke Cycling Association is excited to be building a climb trail on Boulder Mountain this summer. This is our first major project since 2019 and we’re thrilled to be creating a new riding experience for the local mountain biking community.
The adaptive trail Miller Time is one of the many new trails we’ve built in recent years.
We often get asked: why don’t you build as many new trails as you used to? While progress may seem slower these days, since 2018, we’ve opened Upper Super Happy Fun, Miller Time, Toad School, Beaver Tail, Eager Beaver, Serenity Now, and the Rotary Skills Park on Mount Macpherson; started development of a new network on Sunnyside; rerouted the bottom of Ultimate Frisby, and re-built The Rooster on Boulder.
But, truth be told, building new trails is not as easy as it used to be. We have no shortage of ideas for new trails (and we hear our member’s ideas, too), but getting them through the new provincial approval process and then built takes time.
What goes into building a new trail? If you’re a rogue trail builder, you simply walk into the woods with a few tools, scrape away some dirt, maybe shape a few jumps, and ride your bike. If you’re a trail association like us trying to build legal trails that will stand the test of time, it takes a lot more work.
Step one is identifying what type of trails are most needed. The RCA does this by surveying our members, identifying gaps in our network, and looking at what other clubs are doing. A climb trail on Boulder has come up numerous times in recent surveys. It also fills a gap in the network by providing a climbing option on Boulder that will be far preferable to riding up the road. We also hope it will take some shuttle traffic off the Boulder Mountain road, which will make it safer for all users (it sees a lot of industrial traffic) and better for the environment.
Step two is flagging the line. Do you like tramping through the forest and have a keen eye for detail? Then this part is for you. Scouting lines can be fun and a great way to explore nature. If you’re building a downhill trail, it’s about spotting those cool features that will be fun to ride and figuring out ways to link them up. For a climb trail, it’s somewhat like setting a skin track, looking for meandering, flattish benches, and natural spots to put in switchbacks on otherwise steep ground. Once we have a decent idea of where the trail is going to go, we’re required to hire a professional trail builder to look it over and scout the final line for the application. For the Boulder climb trail, we hired Mark Wood of Trail Holistics to finalize the layout to the top of Boondocker and ensure we use the best route possible.
The Boulder Climb Trail, in green. It was laid out by Mark Wood of Trail Holistics.
Step three is the application process itself. To build a trail, we’re required to complete a Section 57 application, named for the part of the Forest & Range Practice Act it falls under. This is where we make the pitch to the government on the rationale behind the trail. Where does the trail go? Why do we want to build it? What purpose will it serve? Are there any special features, like bridges or jumps? Who gets to use it? Who else has interests in the area? How will we maintain the trail?
The new application process is probably the most complex part of building a new trail. In the past, if we wanted to build a new trail on Boulder or Macpherson, where we have a long, successful track record of trail construction and maintenance, we simply submitted a short form and a line file, and it was likely to get approved. This changed a few years ago. Now, we’re expected to complete an environmental review and conduct a preliminary engagement with local stakeholders as part of the application process. This means letting First Nations (Revelstoke is in the territory of 12 bands), forestry companies, local government, and other stakeholders know what we’re hoping to build prior to applying. This engagement is a new part of the process and something we’re learning to navigate. Part of the reason we hired an executive director was to help navigate this process.
Once the Section 57 application is complete, it goes to our local Recreation Officer. We’re one of over 30 non-profit recreation groups under one recreation officer, most of whom are trying to build new trails and other facilities. The proposal then goes out for a formal referral process, where our Rec Officer collects even more feedback on the project. Only after all that input comes back will they make a decision. A strong application strengthens our chances of approval, but that usually with conditions.
Prospective contractors examine a creek crossing on the Boulder climb trail line. Photo by Alex Cooper
By now, at least a year has passed since we started work on this application. We finally have a signed approval in place to build the trail. The next step is funding. For the Boulder climb trail, we were able to put aside some membership and sponsorship funds over the past few years in order to fill a piggy bank to pay for the trail. We were also fortunate to receive $29,000 in funding from the Resort Municipality Infrastructure fund, which is about a third of the cost of the project. This is enough to build Phase 1 this summer to the top of Gravy Bacon. The trail is approved to the top of Boondocker and we hope to build those sections in the future.
With funding in place, we can find someone to build it. We have a three-person trail crew, but they’re occupied by keeping our existing trails in shape. Instead, we hold a competitive bid process to find a contractor to do the job. Last fall, seven professional trail builders came to Revelstoke to walk through the woods and look at the line for the Boulder climb trail. Five presented bids, which were judged on a combination of price, past experience with similar trails, and bid quality. Robson Design Build, who’s responsible for building a good chunk of the Valemount Bike Park and many other trails around B.C., was selected to build the Boulder climb trail.
Work began in June with a bird nest survey that was conducted by a team of professional biologists. This was done to ensure we didn’t disturb any nests during construction. Two nests were found in the survey—we diverted the trail around one nest and had a biologist on hand while we worked near the other one to make sure we didn’t disturb it. Following the survey, a mix of provincial wildlfire crews, contract fallers, and our own trail crew worked to clear the trail corridor.
Finally, Robson’s team arrived in town with their machines and got to work. The trail is looking great and we’re stoked to ride it. But there’s still a few more steps before we can do that. We need to install signage, it needs to pass inspection by the province, and we need to make sure it’s ready to be ridden. We’re really hoping for more rain to help compact the trail so it doesn’t all blow away in a cloud of dust.
Keep an eye on our website, newsletter and social media channels for the exact opening. If you’d like to support more sustainable trail work in Revelstoke, join the RCA. For only $40 for adults and $15 for youth, you can help ensure the preservation and growth of our world-class network of trails.
The Boulder climb trail is coming along well, but it isn’t ready for riding. Photo by Alex Cooper.
