Barnes Lake Closure
Location(s)
Sparwood ATV and Wildlife Clubs
The new Barnes Lake Access Management Area was a plan put forth by three groups - Elk Valley ATV Club, Sparwood Fish and Wildlife and the Corbin Wildlife & Heritage Society because of concerns we shared regarding access/trail abuse and habitat damage and degradation.
The Plan was discussed with the BC Ministry of Environment and Tembec Forest Industries. Ministry staff visited the site in 2004 with members of each user group. The closure point for motorized access to Barnes Lake was agreed upon by all parties.
The closure point is approximately 1 mile from the lake. The walk is relatively easy, with a moderate climb to lake elevation. The members of the Corbin group are senior and had no qualms about having to walk to the lake.
The reason for the closure comes after many years of habitat abuse and illegal trail cutting. The road, which is currently opened for motorized use, has been in place for many years. The closure point on the road was selected because people have taken ATVs into the alpine meadow and left ruts on various trails - aesthetically unsightly and damaging to the habitat.
The old walking trail into the lake was converted into an ATV trail over the years. The trail was extended to go all around the east shore of the lake to the south end. There were two camps constructed one at each end of the lake.
As the trail became too muddy or rough new ones were made. This kind trail "braiding" in such a sensitive area is unsightly and destructive to the environment.
The road to the Elliot Lake basin remains open, so there is still opportunity for ATV riders, anglers and hunters. Bear in mind there have also been illegal trails cut into Elliot Lake and surrounding alpine.
Without the dialogue we had with Tembec and the Ministry the road could have been cut off at the bottom, which would have been very restrictive to all users. The Conservation Officer Service is providing extra coverage to the area this summer to get the message out.
Our fear is if people don't comply with this new access management area it will be increased in size and we will all be out of luck if we want to go up to Barnes Lake for a ride.
Windy Ridge Closure Next?
"Windy Ridge" is a beautiful viewpoint located behind Seven Sisters at the back of Crowsnest Mountain. The trail has existed for 30 years and is a favorite destination.
In the past 2 years we have seen a dramatic increase in off-trail alpine riding. The impact of this will remain for years as alpine meadow recovers from damage very slowly.
There is no law to stop this off-trail riding and government cannot post closures without an access plan in place.
The future of this trail and destination is in serious jeopardy, unless damage ceases we will lose this riding area. SRD has granted the club permission to post its own signs and message for riders to "please stay on trail". If people continue to abuse it, we will lose it!
This is a first for SRD and the club to agree and recognize the need for such signage and for the club to receive the approval. It should be noted that this is not a closure, but a request for responsible use of a valued resource.
The "trail" was originally opened by dirt bikers but ATVs have been using the trail as well. In August 2005 an irresponsible ATV rider rolled a machine when riding up this steep hill.