News Release: Nelson Mountain Bike Trail Closures Spring/Summer 2021
It’s been fantastic riding so far this season, with lots of people out enjoying the trails. This year is a bit different with a number of mandatory trail closures to be managed in our network.
To ensure the safety of trail users, detailed information about closures is being provided by the NCC throughout this spring and summer. Trail closures apply to everybody - bikers, walkers, hikers, runners. Areas to be impacted by closures include: Mountain Station, 49 Creek Trails (May and Jenny Road in Blewett), and Selous (The Vein). Log hauling will also take place at Smallwood (Beasly), Kokanee, and Giveout, and will create potential delays.
“Please respect closures. This is not only for your safety but also to support our continued relationships with area land managers who continue to work with us to mitigate impacts to trails whenever possible. We appreciate their willingness to collaborate and we need to do our part by working with them to ensure closures are respected,” says Deb McKillop, President of the Nelson Cycling Club Board of Directors.
Current information is provided below. Visit the Nelson Cycling Club Facebook Page and to sign up to the Nelson Cycling Club Newsletter for regular updates.
MOUNTAIN STATION
The land owner is undertaking logging to clear out the blowdown that resulted from extreme windstorms over the past year. Closures and restrictions are expected to continue throughout the summer. Currently, all trails above the Dole Dosser road crossing (just above the 719 road gap) will be closed 24/7 with no access for anyone. Trails below this will be open after 3pm and on weekends. Raccoon and Badger will remain open all hours. We expect more trails to be added to the 3pm list soon. Upper trails (including Skirt, TNT, and Spacejunk) will remain closed until mid-July (or longer).
The City of Nelson is upgrading the water system and will be working along the lower trails, starting in the middle of July and continuing for 4-6 weeks. This will affect all trails that cross the gravel road that extends from the gravel pit to the Reservoir: Smiling Buddha/ASG, Eli Sim, 9 Point, Boneyard, and LegalizeIt. Trails will be closed 24/7 to all users for safety concerns, including rock blasting. To minimize impacts to recreation, individual trails will open as work is completed, with Smiling Buddha/ASG opening after approximately 1 week, and Boneyard and LegalizeIt remaining closed until the end of the project.
Signage has been posted as a reminder at trail locations. Any changes to closures and restrictions will be communicated through on-trail signage and on the NCC Facebook page.
Selous (The Vein)
Kalesnikoff Lumber Co is leading a Wildfire Risk Reduction project that will affect The Vein. Closures will begin sometime in June and will be ongoing throughout the summer. Road access to The Vein remains open for now, but please watch for closures and/or detours. Trail access (via Mountain Station) remains closed until further notice.
Blewett (49 Creek trails at May and Jenny Road)
Atco is planning to start road construction in mid-June, with logging to start in August and continue through to October. May and Jenny Road will be fully closed from 930 am to 3 pm for two days – there will be no access on these days (dates TBD). Road construction and harvesting will affect Jackleg, Moosehead, and Hot Wheels; road upgrades will create a short closure on lower Blindside. Further information will be provided when it becomes available.
Smallwood
All trails at Smallwood are open. Logging is not affecting the trails. However, trail users, including hikers, bikers, runners, and dog walkers, are reminded to stay out of areas with active logging and to drive carefully with the expectation to share the road with loaded logging trucks. If possible, use a 2-way radio.
Giveout/Gold Creek
The bottom of the Gimp is currently closed. The City of Nelson with the Granite Point Golf Course has begun logging and excavating for the proposed 306 housing units. Riders/trail user must exit the trail heading west on Forin Road. The NCC is hoping to work with the Ministry of Forests and the City to build a new exit that will bypass the construction site. Do not cross the flagging tape and do not enter the construction site.
Atco Lumber Co. is planning road maintenance and log hauling for this summer for cutblocks that are past the bike trails. There will be no trail closures, but large trucks will be active on the roads, and recreation users are reminded to drive with added caution and to use a 2-way radio if possible.
Rosemont Bike Park
Annual maintenance and upgrades were completed at the end of May. Additional work is planned throughout the summer. Expect intermittent closures and remember that riding the jumps and pump track when soils are soft and wet will damage the park.
PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT RIDE THE PARK IN THE RAIN OR AFTER SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL. Wait until it is dry, and good to go.
Bike Park Etiquette:
Read & Respect the Signage
Rain = Park Closures
Do not change the jumps
Do not run on the jumps
**parents please do not let your children run/climb on the jumps. It is extremely dangerous and ruins the hard work of our trail crew.
Regular Trail Maintenance Closures
Watch for our trail crew out on the trails! Bikers, hikers, runners, and anyone else is reminded to please respect all of their closures! They are working hard to keep the trails fun for everyone.
Stay in touch – get the updates! Visit the Nelson Cycling Club Facebook Page regularly.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The Nelson Cycling Club