REVELSTOKE

T R A I L S S T R AT E G Y

P R E S E N TAT I O N T O C O U N C I L
May 23rd, 2017
PROJECT SCOPE/PURPOSE
1. Development of a vision and guiding principles for trails in Revelstoke;

2. Completing a detailed trail inventory;

3. Analyzing existing plans & trails;

4. Developing criteria for creating new trails;

5. Establishing a trail classification system;

6. Development of a trail signage hierarchy and mapping the placement of new signage;

7. Providing a risk management strategy that minimizes liability; and

8. Creation of an implementation process to prioritize enhancement or trail development opportunities

W H Y D O W E N E E D A T R A I L S S T R AT E G Y ?

Its the first step (required) towards getting funding to improve our existing
trails network

It can help coordinate a well-connected trails system

Identify opportunities for trails upon development approvals, etc.

Especially important as our community grows

Create alternative transportation options - improve traffic & community

health!
R E V E L S T O K E T R A I L S S T R AT E G Y

V I S I O N S TAT E M E N T
The City of Revelstoke will have a comprehensive multi-use trail and
pathway network with appropriate and accessible connections to
destinations and neighbourhoods throughout the City. The Revelstoke
Trails Strategy will serve as a valuable decision making tool for City
staff, Council, community members, and developers for all future trail
development. The Revelstoke trail network will be considered a high-
quality system and a valuable asset to the community that serves as a
social, economic, and environmental asset.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES

1. Connectivity

2. All Inclusive

3. Signage + Wayfinding

4. High Quality Trail Infrastructure +

Amenities

5. Environmental Stewardship
S TA K E H O L D E R &
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT

Project guided by a stakeholder

group

3 Stakeholder group meetings

1 Public open house (Jan 23, 2017 -

~80+ attendees)

Online/Print Survey (113 respondents)

+ one on one meetings with several

other stakeholders
2. TRAIL INVENTORY
& A N A LY S I S

Used City data (roads and trails) (150kms

of trails - incl. Mount MacPherson)

From old city plans + existing GIS

database

Used Strava Metro data to map &

analyze currently unmapped trails

Ground-truthing to confirm classification

Inventory added 422.7kms of trails

MAIN TRAIL TYPES

Trails that are mapped and known

Informal trails that were previously

unmapped (now a part of the
inventory) that people built and use
on their own

A good trails network can have both!

3. TRAIL ANALYSIS - STRAVA DATA FOR USE ANALYSIS
Limited by the amount of trails
Couldnt gain meaningful insights into use
Used the data to inform decisions, but not the only criteria
Can gain use data in the future on 572km of trails
SWOT MAP
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities
& Threats

Strength - Current Asset

Weakness - Can be improved for

safety

Opportunity - Existing informal trail

or new short connection

Threat - Non-city-owned property,

Risk of death/injury/flooding
4. CRITERIA FOR NEW TRAILS

DRAFT CRITERIA ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

Trail importance based on use With feedback from stakeholder group/open house/survey

Trail classification Crime prevention & safety

Connectivity Adaptive sports/accessibility for people

with disabilities
Key decision nodes
Conflict between user groups
Critical linkages
Recommendations for trails not on City

Liability & safety

property

Safe school routes for kids

Best management practices
 TRAIL CLASSIFICATION - CLASS 03 - MAINTAINED TRAIL

5. TRAIL
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N S Y S T E M

6 TRAIL TYPES
Class 1 - Paved Trail

Class 2 - Gravel Trail 1.0m - 2.0m

MAINTAINED TRAIL

Class 3 - Maintained Trail ELEMENT DESCRIPTION

Trail Surface Compacted gravel surface or natural surface tread, ensure positive drainage. May include constructed banked corners.

Typical width of Class 3 Trail is 1.25m unless confined by existing vegetation or topography. Class 3 trail width range: 1.0m
Trail Width
Class 4 - Maintained Single Track Trail
- 2.0m width.

Rolling with steep sections. Approximately 1000m+/- elevation gain/loss. Suitable for Adaptive Sports and Accessible
Trail Profile
Standards.
Provide trailhead, directional signs, benches, minimal scenic viewpoint nodes. May require bridges or boardwalks for water
Amenities
Class 5 - Informal Trail crossings. Fording may be required.

Trail Rating: Moderate to Difficult

Trail Rating + Target
Moderate level of use. Suitable for visitors who have trail experience and are prepared (proper equipment and water) with
Demographics
moderate level of fitness. Obstacles are common, stairs may be required. Moderate to experienced trail user.

Class 6 - On-Street Bike Lane, Street or Level of Service

Level of Service: Moderate Erosion repair, re-grading, fill low areas, compaction, drainage dips and grade reversals
Regular inspections + maintenance: Monthly, biannually or upon visitor comment.

Forestry Service Road

Risk Mitigation: Moderate - High
Visitors may have a general understanding of some risks and may be partially self-reliant in the event of an incident
Risk Mitigation
Moderate level of effort made to mitigate risk. Detailed level of messaging regarding trail risk and etiquette incorporated
into signage and at trailhead.
6. TRAIL SIGNAGE
3.0m 3.0m
10 ft 10 ft
GREENBELT TRAILS
DOWNTOWN WILLIAMSONS LAKE
HERITAGE MT. MACKENZIE
LOOP
2.5m R 2.5m
E
seerevelstoke.com

8.2 ft 8.2 ft
R S V
E T E
V O L
E K S
2.0m L 2.0m
E T
6.5 ft O 6.5 ft
Frisby
HERITAGE LOOP K 11. Moses Falls Trail 12. Keystone Standard Basin 13. Glacier National Park 1. Williamson Lake

R EVELSTOKE HIKING TRAILS

See reverse for detailed maps
Moses Falls is hidden from view from any This trail winds through alpine meadows, ending at a cabin. This trail starts at the Williamson Lake parking lot

E
road in Revelstoke so it is generally not a well
known spot. The trail goes down a steep hill
a short distance, then intersects with a gravel
road. Keep going across the road and pick up
the faint trail heading into the trees almost
directly across from where the trail hit the
road.
and circles the lake clockwise to the North. The
Access: 50km north on Highway 23 North to Keystone FSR.
The trail starts 16km up the road at a designated parking lot.
14. Mount Revelstoke National Park trail is a fairly even grade most of the way with
the exception of a few really steep sections on
See reverse for detailed maps
Distance: 11km (one way) the far side of the lake.
Access: Drive to Williamson Lake. Walk down to
13 13 13 the lake shore and work your way to the north.
12 Signs indicate the start of the trail.
Distance: 1.4km (one way) to the tent platforms

Boulder Distance: 1km (one way)

seerevelstoke.com
on the opposite side of the lake.

7
10. Begbie Falls/Creek Trails 14 14 14 2. McCrae Lake
From the parking area on Highway 23 South, With a drive to sub alpine and a short approach

1.5m 1.5m
this trail will take you through a beautiful forest, trail to a spectacular setting, this is the best high
mostly following Begbie Creek. Keep to the main elevation hike in Revelstoke. About 2 km from
the trailhead you will come to a Y. The left hand
Begbie Falls Recreation Site, you are a short and trail continues down to McCrae Lakes. The right
steep 15 minutes hike away from the waterfall hand trail continues towards the summit of
platform. See map below. Mount McCrae. See map below.

Access: 8km south on Highway 23 South 6 Access: Follow Airport Way Road past the end
Heritage Site #7 Distance: 3km (one way) to Begbie Falls
5
of the pavement. Turn left onto the Akolkolex
FSR. 7.2 km from the start of the Akolkolex FSR
you will come to a Y in the road. Keep on the

5.0 ft 5.0 ft
4 Akolkolex FSR and take the Long way. Cross the
1 Akolkolex River bridge and stay left. From here
Although it is a little over the road is fairly well signed.
Distance: 3km to the lake, 4.5km to the summit

100 kilometres from 11

Golden to Revelstoke, it
is a landscape filled with
superlatives at every Trail
turn, and it may feel like Ettiquette
Trail a relief for travellers to 3

Ettiquette arrive in Revelstoke! Cyclists yield to

2

9 10
Though Lady Agnes Equestrians and 8

Cyclists yield to Hikers

Equestrians and
never wrote about 9. Mt. Begbie Summit Trail 8. Sutherland Falls Trails 4 - 7. Revelstoke Greenbelt River Trails 3. Mt. Cartier Trail
Hikers Revelstoke's fine Hikers yield to
This is a steep trail with very little views most of the
way, eventually leading to a spectacular setting.
The Sutherland Falls Hiking Trail at Blanket Creek leads
to a 12 metre high waterfall. The short trail is an easy
Access Points:
starts at valley bottom and goes right to the summit, through thick forests, over rumbling creeks, and up

attractions, this is still an Equestrians

This trail is not for the faint of heart but well worth
grade hike leading to a viewpoint that should take no
more than 5 -10 minutes to complete one way. See
4. Revelstoke Community Centre Access Point: Trail follows the Columbia River towards an
osprey nesting area and bird sanctuary (see map below). Choose from multi-use easy paved
hills leading to the spectacular mountain views and alpine meadows. See map below.

map below. path or dirt options closer to the river bank. Cross the pedestrian bridge to a Frisbee Golf Access: 13.3km south on Arport Way
Hikers yield to interesting and historic to the summit most months of the year. See map Distance: 17km (one way), there is a lookout at 4km
below. Access: 23km south on Highway 23 South
Equestrians Leave no Trace
place. Explorer and Access: 10km south on Highway 23 South
Distance: 1km (one way) 5. Revelstoke Dike Walk Access Point: Cross single lane bridge on Wilson Street and Big Eddy
Road. Turn left onto the dike. These trails provide a good afternoon of exploring the Big Eddy
Distance: 5 km to the campsite, 6 km to the glacier area along the Columbia River. It is best to explore these trails early spring or late fall when the
Leave no Trace geographer David Do not feed
River is low.

1.0m 1.0m
N50 55.490 W118 16.918 (Lat/Lon hdddmm.mmm' WGS 84)

Thompson passed wildlife!

6. Woodenhead Park Walk Access Point: A popular rest stop, this acccess point is located right

Do not feed through the region in

Revelstoke Dike Walk (above) using the Big Eddy Bridge.

wildlife! 7. Bridge Creek Access Point: This trail or more aptly named road would be of interest to those

City Hall 1811 on his way to the fall months.

300m Pacific.

3.3 ft Golf Course

2.0km 3.3 ft
Heritage Site #8
Museum 900m
1.0km

R
0.5m E 0.5m
V
E
REVELSTOKE TRAILS L
12. Keystone Standard Basin 13. Glacier National Park GREENBELT
See reverse for detailed maps
This trail winds through alpine meadows, ending at a cabin. This trail winds through alpine meadows, ending at a cabin.
trail is a fairly even grade most of the way with
Access: 50km north on Highway 23 North to Keystone FSR.
The trail starts 16km up the road at a designated parking lot.
14. Mount Revelstoke National Park Distance: 1.4km (one way) to the tent platforms
See reverse for detailed maps
Distance: 11km (one way)

13 13
1. Williamson Lake
12 This trail starts at the Williamson Lake parking lot
and circles the lake clockwise to the North. The
trail is a fairly even grade most of the way with
seerevelstoke.com the exception of a few really steep sections on
seerevelstoke.com
the far side of the lake.

Access: Drive to Williamson Lake. Walk down to

7 the lake shore and work your way to the north.
14 14 14 Signs indicate the start of the trail.
Distance: 1.4km (one way) to the tent platforms
on the opposite side of the lake.

2. McCrae Lake
6 With a drive to sub alpine and a short approach
trail to a spectacular setting, this is the best high
5 elevation hike in Revelstoke. About 2 km from
the trailhead you will come to a Y. The left hand

CENTENNIAL
4 trail continues down to McCrae Lakes. The right
1 hand trail continues towards the summit of
Mount McCrae. See map below.

11 Access: Follow Airport Way Road past the end

of the pavement. Turn left onto the Akolkolex

PARK
FSR. 7.2 km from the start of the Akolkolex FSR
you will come to a Y in the road. Keep on the
Akolkolex FSR and take the Long way. Cross the
Akolkolex River bridge and stay left. From here
the road is fairly well signed.

600M
3
2

9 10
8

Screw Pile
Option for
All Signage

Seasonally Local Heritage Directional Interpretive Trail Marker Kiosk Kiosk - Side Profile
Inundated Directional Trail Information

REVELSTOKE TRAILS STRATEGY

SIGNAGE HIERARCHY
& L O C AT I O N

Signage to reduce conflict or risk of

injury implemented first

Wayfinding / Information signage

once safety signage is implemented

Also IDd potential lookout/rest areas

to link trail network
7. REDUCE
LIABILITY

Policy Framework

Signage

Trail Alignment & Placement

Guidelines

Inspections & Hazard Identification

8. PRIORITIZED TRAIL
ENHANCEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES

Very High Priorities (Ideally start

process within 5 years)

High Priorities (Ideally start process

within 10 years)

Medium Priorities (Implement as

opportunities/funding arises)

Supportive Initiatives (Important trail

initiatives that should be lead by
other organizations)
KEY ISSUES &
S T R AT E G I E S

There are important neighbourhood-

to-neighbourhood connections to be
made

There is a strong desire to increase

the amount of accessible trails and
particularly focus on people with
disabilities

There are current conflicts between

user groups and environmental issues
that should be addressed (signage)
KEY ISSUES &
S T R AT E G I E S

A supportive on-street network needs to

be developed to help support trail use

Budgetary concerns - This plan is the first

step in being able to apply for and
receive funding to improve our trail
network. It doesnt commit the city to
funding, but instead provides a way to
implement the community vision for trails

We have an amazing existing network of

organizations and individuals - reason for
current success!
We have a great trail system already! Lets make it the best!
NEXT STEPS

Adopt the Trails Strategy

Budget and apply for funding for trail improvements/maintenance

Build and improve trails in Revelstoke

Enjoy!
QUESTIONS?