Partners gathered from around the Shuswap last Thursday to celebrate the official opening of the new Mount Baldy hiking trail west of Sorrento –and they did it in style.
Crannog Ales, whose award-winning organic farm brewery is just next door to the new trail, hosted a reception following the official ribbon cutting.
“Trails like this help people learn about the natural places they live with and why it’s important to take care of them,” said Rebecca Kneen, co-owner of the brewery.
The Mt. Baldy trail is the latest addition to the South Shuswap’s parks and trails system, built in partnership with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Parks and Recreation program, the Shuswap Trail Alliance and the Sorrento and Area Community Association. The 4.5 kilometres of trail include an impressive lookout over the South Shuswap and a beautiful upper-loop alongside pockets of trembling aspen forest.
Jay Scholton, with the Sorrento and Area Community Association, was honoured during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for his leadership in championing the trail project.
“It just exceeds my expectation,” said Scholton, who acknowledged not being sure it would be possible when they were first proposing the idea. “The real thanks needs to go to the Shuswap Trail Alliance crew and volunteers who did all the work.”
CSRD Parks team leader, Marcin Pachcinski acknowledged the leadership of the Area C Parks Commission, as well as the partnership with the Trail Alliance and local volunteers, which is making the regional trail system possible.
The trails within Secwepemc territory were also acknowledged. CSRD Parks worked with Secwepemc leadership and an archeologist to ensure the path avoids impacting areas of cultural importance.
Following the ribbon cutting at the trailhead, the celebrations moved over to the Crannog Ales farm.
The Mount Baldy lookout is visible from the brewery’s lawns, so together everyone raised a toast in thanks to Crannog Ales’ hospitality and to the new trail and all the partners who worked so hard together.
To find out more about trails throughout the Shuswap, check out www.shuswaptrails.com. And be sure to share trail maintenance needs through the trail report hotline email at trailreport@shuswaptrails.com.