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1997

Another season of exploration and clearing is now winding down. The Baker Creek trail from Pinnacles Park to Puntchesakut Lake Park was explored and ribboned. Indeed, the trail was explored to Puntatenkut Lake and westward. This will provide an excellent long-distance adventure route with spectacular scenery, while interacting with the Puntatenkut River (Baker Creek) along the way. The romance of retracing an original Native route follows your every footstep.

Just past Bluestone Creek, a proposed trail will connect the Baker Creek Trail with the Telegraph Trail by following the old Bluestone Road up over the ridge and down the old Diamond Road to Whittier Creek and the Telegraph Trail. Thus, almost from downtown Quesnel, one could have access to the miles and miles of an historic trail network, including the Mackenzie and other Black water trails.

All this exploration was made possible by a grant from the BC Hydro Corporation. They funded a three-month work program for five Native young people from the Nazko Band, plus myself as leader. This was much appreciated by all concerned. We have also commissioned a bronze plaque to be placed on a rock at the Telegraph Trail-head, near Whittier Creek, with funding from BC Hydro

We were able to develop a small campsite with picnic tables at the creek. A four-foot by eight-foot sign was erected, as well. The beautiful artwork on it was done by Neil Elder. Forestry provided most of the material. Hats off to the ladies who handled the big job of bookkeeping for the project, Betty Motherwell and Marie Erb.

In September, the Quesnel Naturalists were conducted on a hike around one of the loop trails from the river, then back to the river on the old Collins Telegraph Trail. Finally, we completed the loop by walking down the south side of the river on an old trail.

This past summer, I took part in a field trip along portions of the old Punchaw Trail, with Forestry and Industry representatives, as well as Dave Suttil from Archeology and Andy Motherwell of the Mackenzie Trail Association. The old blazes on the big fir are intriguing. A GPS (Geo Positioning System) survey has been sent to Forestry. It is hoped that this ancient Native trail can be saved from logging.

We close this year with high hopes for the future. We hope the unique historical trails in the Western Cariboo can be preserved as they are before more destruction takes place. We hope the public will explore the many trails and enjoy the natural world in all its wonder. And, finally, we would like to thank all those unnamed people who have shown good-will toward our project. May your reward be found on the trail.

Happy hiking,

Dwight Dodge