Well this parks use application has been in the making for almost 5 years now. CWR is trying to reopen a trail that leads from the Outpost Camp, through the Bedwell Valley, into Strathcona Park, and actually connects to Buttle Lake. If this trail was opened (it has been closed since 2006 due to bridge damage) it would mean a trail for all users to cross the island in a serene setting like no other. CWR’s application consists of allowing horse use on the old roadbed which starts at the Outpost Camp and continues to You Creek. This roadbed has been in place for close to 100 years and is still in use today on the 500 acres of property the Outpost is situated on. After hiking the trail in 2007 we found that the roadbed is in fact intact and usable. Work would have to be done to return it to its splendor, but all work would be able to be performed with very low impact and without heavy machinery.

At You Creek we have agreed to set up tent platforms open to the public for overnight trips. In order to accomplish reopening this trail we have also agreed to rebuild all necessary bridges in order to make the trail safe for the public.

BC Parks is holding Public Meetings this month to gather information and open the Master Plan to allow horse use within the park. All future applications for horse use will be set against criteria that will be decided using information from these meetings. This meeting is not necessarily for our application, but our application will be discussed thoroughly.

The meetings are being Held in Tofino on May 27th, Courtenay on May 29th, and Victoria on June 4th. Watch your papers for locations.