The dream is a continuous 180-km multi-use trail from Squamish to D'Arcy, but the final Sea to Sky Trail route has a few speed bumps.
"There's gaps," said Gordon McKeever, project manager. "It's typical of this type of epic trail. This is a multi-generational project. Sometimes there is a piece of private land or other barriers to completing the preferred route."
In Squamish part of the route defaults to Paradise Valley Road. But McKeever said he believes the gap can be closed, and opportunities are being pursued for the building of additional trails.
"We are in discussion with the North Vancouver Outdoor School and we are also talking with the Squamish Nation about parts of the trail going through reserve lands," he said.
McKeever said legal issues are among the toughest when creating an epic trail. Each section of the trail must be legalized before the province will authorize it.
"It involves extensive stakeholder engagement with groups such as BC Hydro and the railways. In many ways it is the most challenging part of the project but it's a critical part."
Much of the Squamish portion of the Sea to Sky Trail depends on the Corridor Trail - a nine-km commuter route linking neighbourhoods from Valleycliffe to Brackendale.
Three sections make up the Corridor Trail. Section One begins at the Stawamus Chief Apron Parking lot to the Squamish Adventure Centre. Section Two continues from the Squamish Adventure Centre to Mamquam Road and Section Three runs from Garibaldi Way to Depot Road.
The Corridor Trail also forms part of the Trans Canada Trail along with the Sea to Sky Trail. According to Todd Pope, District of Squamish trails co-ordinator, the Corridor Trail is essentially three trails in one.
"The Corridor Trail represents a lot of work from various user groups in the community," Pope said.
The district recently opened section two of the Corridor Trail, a 3.4-km stretch that runs from the Squamish Adventure Centre along Loggers Lane to Mamquam Road. Pope expects one or both additional sections to be completed this year.
"Squamish has done some great work with the Corridor Trail. The focus of the project has been to connect Squamish with Whistler and we are making headway," McKeever said.
McKeever announced to Squamish council during a meeting last week that the Squamish-Whistler section of the Sea to Sky Trail has become the newest section of the Trans Canada trail, and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation has committed $300,000 towards work on the trail.
While the route from Squamish to Whistler has been finalized, two problem zones still exist. The first is a four-kilometre section wedged between the Cheakamus River and the Sea to Sky Highway. McKeever said the shoulder of the highway is being used as a default trail until alternatives are created.
The second problem zone is a 3.5 kilometre section of the highway near Brandywine and the issue of a pedestrian overpass. But McKeever takes it all in stride.
"The Sea to Sky Trail won't materialize overnight," he said.
In the meantime, McKeever said construction of on-trail signage is expected to take place this summer. He said major trailheads will be home to interpretive signage that celebrates the history of the land as well as the geography, flora and fauna.
"We are hoping to see 10 signs completed this summer and around 50 throughout the trail at the end of the day," McKeever said.
Building the 180 kilometres of the Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to D'Arcy, which represents Phase 1 of the project, is expected to cost about $10 million, and $2.5 million has already been secured for that purpose, a project introduction statement said.
Started in the 1990s, the project is intended to create a multi-user, year-round trail from Horseshoe Bay to Lillooet. The Squamish Lillooet Regional District is leading the project, directed by a committee with representatives from communities in the corridor, local First Nations, the SLRD, two government ministries and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation.
For more information on the Sea to Sky Trail, check out www.seatoskytrail.ca
