As Walk Around Lake Country (WALC) volunteers worked on the lowest portion of the Summit Trail on Spion Kop on May 31st, they appreciated the thanks of several passing hikers as they pruned branches, pulled invasive weeds, cleared debris, and cut back plants that tend to overgrow the trail each spring. Maintenance leader, Brenda Johnson, said this was the second work bee of the season; and the group expects three additional half days of pruning and replacing wayfinding markers should contribute to keeping the Spion Kop trails as safe as possible and walkable until fall.
Spion Kop, which is Provincial Crown Land, is well used for recreation, with WALC maintaining and providing wayfinding for existing trails, both historical and wildlife-created, on a volunteer basis. In recent years, forest fire mitigation clean-ups have also been carried out by the Ministry of Forests. Spion Kop trail maps are available at the trailheads and on-line at www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/spion-kop-trail-map.
WALC also works with District of Lake Country staff to identify possible new trails and improvements to existing trails as the community develops. Whenever possible, WALC accesses grant funds to expand networks within the District. WALC is pleased to have recently received a $10,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Lake Country to aid in the expansion of trails within Lake Country.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with trail maintenance or who has suggestions, questions, or comments about the work done by WALC, can email walkaroundlakecountry@gmail.com.