The snow seems to turn pink out on the trail in late winter afternoon light. That’s the experience shared by participants during the recent winter Bigfoot trail snowshoe walk this past weekend out on the new Mt Baldy Lookout trail.
The walk featured one of the newest additions to the growing trail system throughout the Shuswap this year.
The trail, as a 2.8-kilometre intermediate walk uphill through mixed forests, arrives at a great little lookout over the South Shuswap.
It is a collaborative project between the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area C Parks Commission, the Sorrento and Area Community Association, and the Shuswap Trail Alliance.
“We’re just so pleased with it,” says Jay Scholton, with the Sorrento and Area Community Association.
Scholton pushed for the trail when an existing old-forest track to the lookout became closed to local access. With the help of volunteers through the Shuswap Trail Alliance, including the late trail- blazing veteran John Coffey, and the support of CSRD Parks staff, a new trail was plotted.
CSRD staff supported local volunteer trail planners, then worked with the support of Splatsin Archeological Services and local First Nations to access the trail for potential impacts.
They then worked with the Provincial Recreation Sites and Trails office to review and authorize the new trail alignment.
“It takes thoughtful consideration to determine the best final alignment for a trail,” says Phil McIntyre-Paul, with the Shuswap Trail Alliance.
The Mt. Baldy Lookout trail joins more than 12 kilometres of new trails added this year to the already impressive list of great trails throughout the region.
To find out more about Shuswap Trails, visit www.shuswaptrails.com.