Trails: A Call for Respect

Author: Sean Mulvey – Recreation Division Project Manager with Cabin Operations.

Like water, people generally look for the path of least resistance when it comes to travelling through nature. That being said, it sure is fun building trails that definitely do not follow this approach. Being trail builders at Cabin allows us to experience the challenges and rewards that go into creating a trail all while putting our own signature on a project. When a trail is proposed, designed, mapped, built and finally used the hard work that goes into it can be showcased and experienced. The entire process uses technology that ranges from ancient (shovels) to literally out of this world (satellites) and involves many people to benefit even more. It’s hard to imagine a world without trails. They bring us to some of the most beautiful places on Earth or just around the neighbourhood. The trails we use daily give us access to a healthier life and the trails we dream about fuel us to explore the planet and ourselves.

These dirt ribbons bring us closer to nature and to each other. Communities band together to use them, race them and to even maintain and build them. At Cabin Operations we take pride in being a part of these communities. Building a trail is not for the faint of heart. The process will test your physical and mental limits and, in some cases, question your sanity. It doesn’t just involve carving a route through rough terrain. Drainage, accessibility, sight lines, speed, and steepness are just a few of the things that need to be accounted for all while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing user experience. Even when these are all nicely balanced, nature has the last word and doesn’t always agree with your choices. But hey! That’s the job and the fun we face.

So the next time you use a trail please think about what went into creating it and show it the respect it deserves. Those heavy timbers located up the mountain were not flown in, that long set of concrete steps was not built by a machine, the switchbacks are not self healing, and the ground you’re walking or riding on has hundreds of hours of blood, sweat and tears in it.

Probably why it’s packed so well.