Cardiac Climb, John Hart Haul, or maybe even New View Trail?
Just a few suggestions for the new kilometre-long stretch being added onto the Canyon View Trail.
“It’s starting look pretty good – I wonder what people are going to name this part?” says BC Hydro spokesman Stephen Watson as hikes up the bluff, the steepest section of the new trail.
The new trail is now under construction by local contractors Upland Excavating and is actually a detour route.
The trail is expected to be open by Labour Day, just in time for major work to begin on the $940-million project to replace the John Hart generating station.
The project will be completed by 2018 and during that period the new detour will allow the public to skirt around and view the construction site while still being able to hike the much-loved Canyon View Trail.
And Watson is well aware of what the popular trail means to the people of Campbell River. BC Hydro held extensive public consultations as it planned the massive replacement project and the one theme Watson heard over and over again from the pubic was: What about the Canyon View Trail?
The trail crosses the Campbell River at the current powerhouse and this area also provides key access to snorkelling and river tours.
Due to the construction, that route will be closed off for five years and hikers diverted through the detour.
Watson pointed out the detour route is pretty nice, but it’s only designed to last at least five years. After the new powerhouse and surge tunnel is built, the detour will be deconstructed and the old trail re-established.
Further up on General Hill, work is well underway to create a new parking area for Elk Falls Provincial Park.
This will allow public access to Elk and Moose falls, as well as the trails through the old growth timber during the construction period.
