Backcountry BC

Rubble Creek and Garibaldi Lake

Southwest BC / Lower Mainland Regional Issues

bcregion mainland
With 2.8 million people, this dynamic metropolitan area is B.C.’s most populous region. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse regions in Canada. It offers economic opportunities, a mild climate, an active lifestyle and all the amenities of a vibrant urban centre. Major industry sectors include trade and financial services, transportation, education, secondary manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.

Rubble Creek and Garibaldi Lake

Hits: 4022

Dig Dig Dig at Rubble Creek...

Reference: https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/sea-to-sky/50-volunteers-dig-out-blocks-of-ice-for-improved-access-to-rubble-creek-trailhead-2509740

-x-

AROUND 50 OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS picked up shovels and ice axes on Saturday, March 7, in an effort to dig out a major section of Daisy Lake Road.

"We cleared what we think will be about 20 car spots," said Haley Foladare, huts coordinator for the VOC. "So yes, we think it was a success."

At the start of February, the province installed no-parking signs at the beginning section of Daisy Lake Road, which is typically plowed by the province.

In past years, backcountry enthusiasts parked alongside this part of the road, then trekked up the unplowed section to access the Rubble Creek trailhead.

 

Hits: 4080

The old-school shovel approach to a problem. 

This is a rather interesting method of increasing public awareness about an access issue by the youngsters over at the VOC.
There is currently an active petition to improve Winter Parking at Rubble Creek linked in the article. 
Of particular note is the statement by the BC Parks representative that they "cannot accept donations for specific jobs".
Does this mean that BC Parks will only accept money if they can spend it on what they want to spend it on (i.e. their political agenda)?
Sounds a bit like how the funds of the BC Parks licence plate program are being spent (reference my previous post).
 
 
-x-
 

THE UBC VARSITY OUTDOOR CLUB (VOC) is taking action to address winter accessibility issues in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

At the start of February, the province installed no-parking signs at the beginning section of Daisy Lake Road, which is typically plowed by the province.

In years past, backcountry enthusiasts had parked alongside this part of the road, then trekked up the unplowed section to access the Rubble Creek trailhead.

The no-parking signs mean that access to the park is "severely restricted," said Haley Foladare, huts coordinator for the VOC.

Hits: 4074
I noticed this article on News 1130 (which includes our old Garibaldi Park 2020 website photo) where the VOC discusses the current parking problems at Rubble Creek.
 
The article correctly points out that funding for BC Parks in the 2020 Provincial Budget (from what I have heard and read) actually includes budget reductions over the next few years.
 
As much as I have been critical about some of BC Parks's policy and decision making, I have sympathy here as they seem to have limited financial maneuvering room to address issues such as this.
 
Certainly major access, management and funding issues are not a very good way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Garibaldi Provincial Park in 2020.
 
-x-

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Snowshoers, backcountry skiers and climbers are out of luck if they want to access Garibaldi Lakes from a popular trailhead.

Garibaldi Park is so busy there are year-round reservations and fees in place to keep a handle on traffic.

Many head into the park via Rubble Creek access just south of Whistler – but the Ministry of Transportation recently put up a number of no parking signs at the trailhead.

Tom Curran with UBC’s Varsity Outdoors Club says last weekend he discovered there’s now essentially no where to park within a reasonable distance of Rubble Creek."

Full Article:  https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/02/15/popular-parking-access-point-to-garibaldi-park-effectively-shut-down/