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Kootenay Columbia Trail Society

@k_c_t_s

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Preserving & enhancing non-motorized trails in BC’s Lower Columbia valley for community enrichment. 🌲🥾🚲🐾 Join the society today!

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💧🪨 ROCK WALLS & WATER
Welcome back to our rock wall series!

One of the biggest challenges facing any trail builder isn’t necessarily the riders, hikers or bikes — it’s water.

Water flowing down a trail can quickly erode the tread, create ruts and undermine the trail itself. That’s why sustainable trail construction is all about managing where water goes.

Rock walls can play an important role in this process by helping create a stable trail bench on steep terrain. Combined with proper outslope, drainage features and careful trail alignment, rock work helps keep water moving across and off the trail rather than down it.

The goal isn’t to stop water.
The goal is to give it somewhere better to go. 💧➡️🌲

Our trail crew spends a lot of time thinking about drainage, slope and erosion when building and maintaining trails. The rock wall is just one piece of that bigger puzzle.

Next time you see a rock wall, look at the trail around it. Notice how the tread sits on the hillside and think about where the water will go during the next big rainstorm. That’s sustainable trail building in action!

#KCTS #TrailBuilding #TrailCrew #SustainableTrails #RockWork by @k_c_t_s

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5 days ago

KCTS Trail Crew Update October 9th, 2026.

This was the final week for the KCTS trail crew, and this will be last update for 2026.

This week we:

- Removed worn and redundant signs and installed new signposts at the Mining School.

- Finished adding inside drains, building up berms, and refining and packing the tread on lower Monticola.

- Removed a major root ball and repaired tread on SMDA.

- Repaired and modified the tread on lower Camozzi.

- Replaced a broken culvert on the Birch Main shortcut.

- Repaired the tread and drainage features, and cleaned up adjacent windfall on Blue Elephant

- Installed trail markers in accordance with the new naming protocol on Tamarack, Doukhobor Draw, and Drakes.

- Cleared windfall from lower Mxiɬp Xewílh (Cedar Trail), Monticola, Blue Elephant, SMD, and Colonel Angus.

- Continued trail construction (pulling stumps and refining tread) on Elgood Ridge (pic). If you’re curious, it’s now possible to push up and ride back down ~ 700m from the Plewman road.

Other trails stuff:

- The KCTS Annual General meeting is scheduled for November 17th. Watch for details and join us.

- Mine remediation work is currently underway adjacent to Kootenay Columbia trail. Anticipate temporary trail closures.

- Forest Fuel Reduction work is imminent adjacent to Kootenay Columbia, Iron Colt and Southern Cross trails. Anticipate temporary trail closures. by @k_c_t_s

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9 days ago

🪨 ROCK WALLS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Welcome to our series on rock walls! Over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of the rock work found throughout our trail network and taking a closer look at why these structures are such an important part of sustainable trail construction.

So, what exactly is a rock wall doing out there?

When trails are built across steep terrain, there often isn’t enough natural bench to create a sustainable trail tread. Rock walls allow our trail crew to build and support that bench, creating a stable surface for the trail while working with the existing landscape.

They can also help:
⛰️ Hold the trail on steep slopes 💧 Control erosion and help manage water 🌲 Reduce the amount of excavation needed 💪 Create durable, long-lasting trail infrastructure

And perhaps most importantly, a well-built rock wall allows the trail to fit the terrain rather than fighting against it.

The finished product might look simple — but there’s a lot of planning, heavy lifting and careful rock placement behind it. Next time you ride past a rock wall, take a closer look. There’s a lot more going on than meets the eye!

#KCTS #TrailBuilding #TrailCrew #SustainableTrails #RockWork by @k_c_t_s

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12 days ago

KCTS Trail Crew Update October 2nd, 2026.

This week we:

- Finalized construction of the new re-route around the steepest section of what we had been calling Doukhobor Access, but are in the process of naming and signing as part of Tamarack.

- Fine tuned the tread and cleaned up the adjacent work area of Tamarack and Regen.

- Added inside drains, built up berms, and refined and packed the tread (using our excavator) on lower Monticola (pic).

- Maintained and added drainage features on Mxiɬp Xewílh (Cedar Trail).

- Brushed Sunningdale.

- Maintained tread on Crowebar.

- Maintained tread on Camozzi. by @k_c_t_s

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16 days ago

🌲 New Wooden Features!! 🌲

This season, our trail crew has been busy turning raw materials into new trail features - A big thank you to @kalesnikoff_ for donating wood to the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society.

This lumber has been put straight to work by our crew, helping construct two new features this year:
🥃 The new Whiskey Drop 🌉 A new bridge on the Plewman Trail

From hauling and cutting to drilling, building and finishing, there’s a lot of work that goes into creating these features. The donated wood gave our crew the materials they needed to get these projects built and ready for riders.

Thanks for helping us keep building! 💪🌲

#KootenayTrails #KCTS #TrailCrew #MTBBC taken in Rossland, British Columbia by @k_c_t_s

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18 days ago

🍂 35 volunteers. One great day on the trails! 🛠️

A huge thank you to the 35 volunteers who came out for our Fall Trail Build Day this past Saturday! Your hard work made a big difference.

Together, we finished as much of the Elgood Trail as the trail crew had cleared — about half of the lower section. That means Elgood is off to a great start! 🙌

We’re grateful for everyone who came out to dig, move dirt, build trail and help keep our local trail network growing. Thank you for showing up and putting in the work! 💪🌲

Thank you to our sponsors @rosslandbeerco and @rosslander taken in Rossland, British Columbia by @k_c_t_s

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20 days ago

KCTS Trail Crew Update September 15th, 2026.

This week we:

- Completed roughing in construction of the new re-route around the steepest section of Doukhobor Access. We left it super dry and loose, but with this recent rain we’ll be able to fine tune the tread early next week.

- Continued chipping (battery hammer chisel) the remaining rock outcrop on Regen

- Finalized tread upgrades on Tamarack up to the start of Regen.

- Brushed & maintained drainage features on Mxiɬp Xewílh (Cedar Trail).

- Continued with trail construction on the new Elgood Ridge trail.

- Finalized preparation for tomorrow’s volunteer trails day on lower Elgood Ridge trail

- Cleared windfall from Mxiɬp Xewílh (Cedar Trail) and Eddie J.

- Replaced a broken wooden ramp on Full Monte.

Other trails related stuff to watch out for:

- The KCTS is holding our Fall Volunteer Trails Day on Saturday September 26th on the lower section of the new Elgood Ridge trail, meeting at the 100 Acre Wood parking area at 9am, and with BBQ and beers to follow.

- Teck’s contractor will be addressing hazard trees on Green Door and lower Milky Way trails on October 7-8, 21-22, and 26-27. Anticipate intermittent trail closures. by @k_c_t_s

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23 days ago

⛏️🌲 The KCTS is hosting our Fall Community Trail Build Day Sept 26th— and we need YOU!

We’re building a new black diamond descent from Elgood Mountain to Cedar Trail, and now it’s time to get the community involved. Come dig, build, and leave your mark on what’s sure to become a Rossland favourite! 🔥

📅 September 26, 2026 at 9am 📍 100 Acre Wood Parking Lot 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly — everyone welcome!

Bring sturdy footwear, gloves, safety glasses, water, weather-appropriate clothing, and any trail tools you have. We’ll bring the rest! ⛏️ Thank you to @rosslandbeerco and @rosslander for sponsoring this event! 🥳

Come build trails. Build community. Build something awesome. 💪🌲

#KCTS #KootenayMountainBiking #Rossland #TrailBuild #CommunityTrailBuild MountainBiking MTB by @k_c_t_s

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25 days ago

⛏️🌲 HELP BUILD ROSSLAND’S NEXT FAVOURITE TRAIL! 🚵

The KCTS is hosting our Fall Community Trail Build Day Sept 26th— and we need YOU!

We’re building a new black diamond descent from Elgood Mountain to Cedar Trail, and now it’s time to get the community involved. Come dig, build, and leave your mark on what’s sure to become a Rossland favourite! 🔥

📅 September 26, 2026 at 9am 📍 100 Acre Wood Parking Lot 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly — everyone welcome!

Bring sturdy footwear, gloves, safety glasses, water, weather-appropriate clothing, and any trail tools you have. We’ll bring the rest! ⛏️ Thank you @rosslander and @rosslandbeerco for sponsoring this event! 🥳

Come build trails. Build community. Build something awesome. 💪🌲

#KCTS #KootenayMountainBiking #Rossland #TrailBuild CommunityTrailBuild MountainBiking MTB taken in Rossland, British Columbia by @k_c_t_s

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a month ago

KCTS Trail Crew Update September 11th, 2026.

This week we:

- Completed construction of the new upper section of Regen trail and made a final pass (refining the tread, removing certain trees, flush cutting stumps) down the existing lower section, with good conditions to run the plate compactor down most of the trail. There’s one rock outcrop we’re still in the process (drilling multiple 18” x 1.25” holes) of removing with expanding grout.

- Added drainage features to the Doukhobor Access Road, started construction of a short re-route eliminating the steepest section of the Doukhobor Access Road, and completed significant tread upgrades to Doukhobor and Tamarack, all part of making the climb to Regen as accessible as possible.

- Re-routed a sharp and awkward corner and maintained drainage features on Upper Mxiɬp Xewílh (Cedar Trail), including rock paving (pic) through a particularly challenging section.

Other trails related stuff to watch out for:

- The Seven Summits Poker Ride is Saturday September 19th. It’s looking like perfect conditions and there’s no better time to ride this iconic trail

Sign up at: https://www.kootenaymountainbiking.com/7summitspokerride

- The KCTS is holding our Fall Volunteer Trail Day on Saturday September 26th on the lower section of the new Elgood Ridge trail, meeting at the 100 Acre Wood parking area at 9am.

- Teck’s contractor will be addressing hazard trees on Green Door and KC on September 21, 23 and 24th. Anticipate intermittent trail closures. by @k_c_t_s

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a month ago

🏔️🃏 THESE VIEWS COULD BE YOURS THIS WEEKEND! 🚵‍♀️
Picture yourself riding through the breathtaking Seven Summits on September 19 — with incredible views, good company, and a little poker luck along the way. 😍🔥

Join us for the Seven Summits Poker Ride!

🃏 Ride the trail
🎴 Collect your cards
🏆 Build your poker hand
🍔 Enjoy the BBQ + mid-trail treat
👕 Get your event T-shirt
🎉 Ride, laugh & maybe win some prizes!

🎟️ $60/person

⚠️ KCTS MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER — make sure yours is current!

#SevenSummitsPokerRide #SevenSummits #KCTS #KootenayMountainBiking #Rossland taken in Rossland, British Columbia by @k_c_t_s

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a month ago

KCTS Trail Crew Update September 11th, 2026.

This (short) week we:

- Continued with trail construction of the new upper section of Regen trail. We’ve now connected through to Tamarack and are now making refinements on the way back down. It’s now rideable but not finished, so use caution.

- Cleared the trail corridor for the new section of climbing trail connecting the Vaagen Access road to Doukhobor and roughed in a short re-route on Doukhobor, part of ongoing efforts to moderate climbing access to the new Regen trail.

- Cleared windfall from Tamarack.

- Continued clearing the trail corridor (pulling lots of stumps) for the lowest section of the new Elgood Ridge trail, in anticipation of our Fall volunteer trails day.

- Brushed lower Spring Cleaning and parts (that needed it) of Tamarack and Doukhobor.

- Continued with trail construction on the new Elgood Ridge trail.

Other trails related stuff to watch out for:

- The iconic Seven Summits Poker Ride is returning on Saturday September 19th. Sign up at: https://www.kootenaymountainbiking.com/7summitspokerride

- The KCTS is holding our Fall Volunteer Trail Day on Saturday September 26th on the lower section of the new Elgood Ridge trail, meeting at the 100 Acre Wood parking area at 9am. by @k_c_t_s

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a month ago