Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association finalizes new trail to McGillivray

After a few years of consultation, Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association (SPRTA) is in the final steps of creating a new trail from Mt. Morrisey to McGillivray Lake. 

The trail will be approximately four kilometres, and offer downhill mountain biking, hiking and fat biking. 

Connecting the base of Mt. Morrissey and extending to McGillvray Lake, the trail will provide a purpose-built alternative to the current Nordic trails in the area. 

“The lake is still a super popular destination for people for hiking and biking, so we just want to give them a better user experience out there,” Sam Loxton, SPRTA president said.

A green trail, the new addition will be a welcome space for beginners and Loxton hopes to see adaptive mountain biking there as well. 

“It’ll be a trail for everyone to get out and enjoy.” 

As the trail won’t intersect with the existing Nordic trails, SPRTA plans to groom it for fat biking in the winter. 

“That will improve the fat biking options out there and keep fat bikers off the Nordic trails,” Loxton said.

Preparing for the trail

In the fall of 2024, SPRTA worked with All Mountains Productions and Consultants Inc., SPRTA volunteers and trail crew lead Melissa Da Silva to survey the forest, walk lines and decide the best route for the trail. 

To continue the process, SPRTA had to work with Mountain Resorts Branch and Recreation Sites and Trails, as the trail is in both the controlled recreation area and on Crown land. 

Additionally, SPRTA had archaeologists from Stantec and representatives from local First Nations help with the preliminary field reconnaissance work required for provincial approval. 

SPRTA will be seeking a trail building contractor to get started with construction once all permits are approved. 

“We’re hoping we could potentially start building this fall,” Loxton said.