Nakusp Trails Society applies for stewardship of railbed from Nakusp to Summit Lake
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Nakusp and Area Community Trails Society is currently heading into tricky waters as they begin application for stewardship of the railbed from Nakusp to Summit Lake.
This is a very complicated issue as the section from the Summit Lake Hill onwards is in Regional District of Central Kootenay’s Area H, and the society resides in Area K.
“There have been issues as to what group will ultimately manage this section,” read a newsletter released by the society in September. Environmental, private property owner and non-motorized versus motorized use issues have held up discussions.
“Hopefully, we can all cooperate and resolve these problems before the rail bed is badly damaged by water, beaver dams and improper usage,” the newsletter stated.
After their incorporation as a society with BC Society Registry recently, the society entered into a formal partnership with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Recreation Sites and Trails Branch.
This gave them official stewardship of the following trails: Kimbol Lake Trail; Kuskanax Mountain Trail (Mac’s Trail); Cedar Grove Trail; Kuskanax Creek Trail (Hot Springs Trail); Box Lake Trail; Wensley Creek Ski Trails (summer use); and Saddle Mountain Lookout Trail.
Dan Rieben, district recreation officer with the Kootenay-Boundary Recreation District, helped in obtaining this partnership.
The society’s stewardship team has inspected most of these trails this summer and the maintenance team has begun work, with extensive brushing, clearing and water barring on Kimbol and Kuskanax trails, and general cleanup of Kuskanax Mountain Trail.
The society also plans to be involved in the maintenance and signage plans for the Wrap Around Nakusp Trail, in partnership with the Village of Nakusp.
The society now has about 40 members and they are looking for more. Membership forms can be obtained at Meritxell Bookstore and Little Mountain Outdoor Gear Store in Nakusp.
