Squamish, BC: Saving the Plunge

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew heads north of the border

Undaunted by the rain that defines much of their existence, local SORCA members gear up with the two Crews to do some serious trailwork.
Riders not comfortable with negotiating this rocky downhill were cutting around it and widening the trail. Considering the trail is rated as "advanced", instead of widening the trail, intermediate riders should walk sections they cannot ride. This section is also straight down the fall-line and was becoming eroded.
Putting the "single" back in "singletrack". The trail is not only sustainable, it now has a tight, twisty feel. Note also the extensive transplanting of vegetation to encourage the regeneration of native habitat.
To keep riders off the perpetually wet and soft forest floor, bridges were built. The abundance of red cedar makes the construction of boardwalks a dream, as the wood is naturally rot-resistant and easily worked.
Not only are they durable and sustainable, but cedar boardwalks provide a fun challenge. Notice the slight "berm" at the corner that was built to allow users to keep their momentum through the turn.
The entrances and exits of elevated features should always be armored. The large rocks at the end of this boardwalk will ensure that the end rungs do not get dislodged, and that riders exiting the structure do not rut out the trail tread.
Splitting cedar rounds into planks for the boardwalk. Nothing can match the clean grain and beautiful smell of the Western red cedar.
One of the two boardwalks that were built during the weekend. Can you believe that earlier in the day, the trail through this area was more than 10 feet wide? Extensive reclamation was as critical as the building of the boardwalk to minimizing the impact of riders.
It wasn't all work: Nat masters the rock slab during a group ride.

With an impassioned cry of "Save the Plunge", the Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA) has been working tirelessly to save the crown jewel of their trail system, the Powerhouse Plunge Trail, from being damaged by adjacent logging. On June 10 - 12, both the Western Region Crew of Nat and Rachael Lopes, and the Eastern Region Crew of Jill Van Winkle and Chris Bernhardt, worked with SORCA to help save their beloved trail from erosion and widening.

Located in a stunningly beautiful section of the area's temperate rainforest, the Plunge Trail is rated as "advanced", but sees serious use by intermediate riders, as well. Over the years, this has led to trail widening, as people ride around the more challenging log bridges and rocky descents. Furthermore, it is a highlight of the renowned "Test of Metal" race, which sees 800 riders attack its slippery lines, thus sustains considerable additional impact.

SORCA Trail Maintenance Director and master breakfast chef Chris "Chainsaw Massacre" McCrum coordinated the weekend's trailbuilding activities to focus on improving the Plunge for The Test of Metal race the following weekend. Considerable thought was given to ensure the maintenance work improved the sustainability of the trail, made the riding more fun, and did not "dumb down" the technical character for which the Plunge is known.