SORCA Builds New Trail in Alice Lake Park

By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Feb.9, 2013

Mountain bikers will soon have another trail to zip around all year round.

With funding from Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA), Land Luggers Contracting is carving out a new trail in the Alice Lake park area.

The new trail goes off of Jacks trail and ends up along Edith Lake.

About one and a half kilometres in length, the lower trail head would be off of Jack’s trail, right at the southern park boundary.

The upper trail head would be on Mike’s Loop.

The trail will run more or less parallel to the Four Lakes Trail.

“We hope to complete it in three weeks,” said Keith Halvorson of Land Luggers.

Long-time SORCA member Mike Nelson said the proposed trail will provide access to the ridge to the south of the Alice Lake provincial park.

The adjacent section of the four lakes trail (Alice Lake to Edith Lake) is closed to mountain bikers between May 1 and September 15, requiring mountain bikers to take the parks service road to access this area.  

Nelson said the proposed trail provides access to the ridge to the south of Alice lake Provincial Park. 

“The trail would be mainly for mountain bikers, but could be used by hikers,” he said.

“Construction of the new trail will allow the existing trail to become a hiking trail only, reducing maintenance requirements from BC parks.”

In 2010, SORCA, with the sports legacy funding, constructed the Stl’lhalem Sintl’ Trail (the Grizzly Bear climbing trail) above Quest University.

SORCA also continued to work on the Galactic Scheisse trail, and supported the building of six more trails, he added.

SORCA has also applied to construct three additional trails in 2013.

SORCA vice-president Jeff Cooke said the new trails will be open year round to mountain bikers and give them an option to access the trails in the Edith Lake area other than the Alice Lake FSR.

He said SORCA has made strong efforts towards building great working relationships with all relevant stakeholders.

The new trail is a perfect example of how SORCA is working together with BC Parks for a better experience for mountain bikers and Alice Lake park visitors, he added.

“It is truly a win-win.”