With a goal to visit every part of the Shuswap, it was time to explore Hunter’s Range and attempt to hike to the forest fire lookout.
After studying the maps and trail guide, our group headed out early in the morning via the Owlhead route on a glorious fall day. At the beginning, the trail through the mixed age spruce and balsam forest was well worn and clearly marked, and the blazes on the trees looked 50 to 75 years old.
But as we neared the alpine, we were thankful that one hiker had a GPS as there was no longer a visible trail or markers.
The first stop was the old forestry log cabin that was used as a supply post for the forest fire lookout station. Although it is quite dilapidated, it could be easily restored for its historical value. The outhouse is still functional and the trail signage dates back to when this was a forestry recreation trail.
Just past the cabin we came across the first of some 40 boardwalks, in various stages of disrepair, that were built to keep hikers boots dry and protect the wetlands.
Rather than boards, most are built with logs and apparently it was dirt bikers that trashed the majority of them.
We were forewarned about the condition of the trail, but we were still shocked at the sight of the devastation as we approached the alpine. The motorized “wreckreationists” have used the snowmobile trail to get into the alpine on their ATVs, and in the process, they converted the sensitive meadows to wide expanses of mud. It was difficult for us to negotiate the trail without getting muddy. It is mind-boggling how people who apparently enjoy being in the mountains can guiltlessly damage sensitive ecosystems for pleasure.
After a short break at the impressive Owlhead snowmobile log chalet, we carried on through the meadows where we were fortunate to see a young grizzly bear dash into the trees when it sensed our approach.
As we neared an alpine lake it was good to see the ATV track finally fade out. When we climbed farther, we came across a single wire that once stretched all the way to the lookout and was used for telegraph communication to Sicamous.
Although the clock was ticking close to when we needed to begin the descent, we pushed on through an alpine bowl to Morton Peak, where we could see the lookout station. We managed to make it to the shoulder of the peak, where we hoped for a view of the valley, but instead all we saw was an impressive wall of fog below us. Nonetheless, it was exhilarating to hike so high in the alpine. On our return, some of us took the time to pick up beer cans and other trash no doubt discarded by the sledders.
The original Mara forest fire lookout was built in 1925 and it was replaced with a new structure in 1950, which was used until 1998. As the building was in poor condition, there was talk of removing it. Thankfully, the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre came to the rescue and took responsibility for the structure, including making repairs.
In 2012, the B.C. government provided funds for a complete restoration and then took over management of the site through Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
The alpine area is more accessible from the Kingfisher area near the Shuswap River, where a logging road ends close to the lookout. Other roads, including one near the Noisy Creek campground at Mabel Lake also provide access to the Mara plateau. Problems persist on this side as well, with damage done by both mudboggers and ATVs near three fishing lakes, Morton, Blue and Cummins.
Under the leadership of the Shuswap Trail Alliance and the Splatsin Band, a working group was established to address the environmental degradation caused by motorized recreation on Hunter’s Range.
Thanks to the participation of local ATV and snowmobile clubs, Tolko, local range licensees, the CSRD and Recreation Sites and Trails BC, efforts will begin this fall to permanently block motorized access with large boulders.
As well the group will focus on educational efforts and establishing dedicated areas for ATV use.
There is also a commitment for restoration efforts, with the understanding that restoring soil disturbance in the alpine faces many challenges.