Trail Clearing in Mount Seymour Backcountry – Thank you to our Volunteers!

Story courtesy of Andrew Simpson, Senior Ranger & Simon Debisschop, Park Ranger

Last summer the Vancouver Korean Hiking Club (VKHC), including approximately 30 club members, volunteered with BC Parks to complete a much needed trail maintenance project in the backcountry of Mount Seymour Park on the Elsay Lake Trail. This trail system includes some of the roughest sections of trail in the North Shore Mountains and was in serious need of some attention. Coastal brush was encroaching onto the trail threatening to eliminate any sign of the trail and in some areas the salmonberry was six to eight feet tall, completely obstructing the trail.

On two separate occasions, the group teamed up with BC Parks Ranger staff Andrew Simpson, and Simon Debisschop to complete the work.  Andrew was impressed from start to finish with the group’s work ethics and energy. “Once we got underway, I was immediately impressed with how well prepared the VKHC members were for the task at hand and the manner in which they organised themselves into small groups, spreading out along the trail to start clearing brush by hand.” It took the group three long days to complete the trail work of clearing and marking the route.

We would like to recognize the valuable contributions of the Vancouver Korean Hiking Club and our Park Rangers for their outstanding efforts in completing this project. BC Parks could not have found a better group to partner with to complete the maintenance of this particularly long and rugged trail on the North Shore.  Anyone who hikes into the backcountry of Mount Seymour can appreciate their substantial efforts.