Sicamous, a town known for houseboats and snowmobiles is about to add mountain biking to its list of attractions.
They recently received $280,000 to build the next phase of trails on Owl Head. The Columbia Shuswap Regional District derectors unanimously approved the cash withdrawl from a fund for Community Economic Development initiatives.
The hillside network opened its first machine-built routes last summer.
Phase two will push the network higher up the mountain with a new climbing trail, two additional descents including a black-rated downhill and upgrades to an upper parking area to create mid-mountain access.
A community hungry for trails
The initial trails have already seen heavy use despite opening only months ago.
Bellhouse said staff visiting the site this winter found clear evidence of traffic even with snow on the ground.
“There were bike tracks. There were people walking their dogs,” she said. “Sicamous really has very little in the way of trails, so this is really exciting for them.”
While there are plenty of riding spots nearby, most are a 20-40 minute drive wasy. Owl Head gives residents something local and accessible. It will include green routes for beginners alongside a black trail.
Built through regional cooperation
The project is being led by the Shuswap Trail Alliance. The non-profit group represents multiple trail users including mountain bikers, hikers, skiers and more. They coordinate trail development across multiple small communities around Shuswap Lake.
The twenty-year-old organization now manages more than 200 kilometres of authorized trails across the watershed through partnerships with municipalities and regional districts.
“We’re a whole bunch of small rural communities that didn’t have the tax base to create destination trails on their own,” Bellhouse said. “By working together, we can leverage funding and build something significant.”
The alliance operates with several full-time staff and seasonal trail crews, funded through municipal contributions, memberships and grants.
Partnership with First Nation highlighted
A key element of the Owl Head project is collaboration with the Splatsin First Nation, whose territory includes the area.
Interpretive signage created by Splatsin will be installed at trailheads and along routes, sharing cultural history and traditional plant knowledge. Additional signage is planned for the new phase using donated funds.
“It’s really neat to be able to work with…
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