Activities

The GFCTS has completed many activities over the years that contribute to the betterment of our local trail network. Scroll down to see the full list by year.
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Cyclists registering for the fourth annual B.C. Trails Day event in Grand Forks - a poker run for walkers, runners & cyclists. June 2024
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Grand Forks cyclists enjoy the new gazebo installed by GFCTS in Summer 2023 near Oxbow Provincial Park along the Trans Canada Trail. April 2024
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John Grandy, Susan Harrison, Louise Popoff and Bernice Marien sharing Trails Love at the 2023 Parade of (Sports) Programs, Hutton School. March 2023
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From left, John Grandy, Larry Hudema, Wayne Hind, and Ed Matthews installed a new kiosk at the Dam Site viewpoint. July 2021
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John Grandy installs the sign-in box on the Trans-Canada Trail in Summer 2018.
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Boundary Woodworkers Guild members volunteered their time to build two kiosks in Summer 2018, which were installed on the Kettle River Heritage Trail.
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Society member Brad Proctor uses a chainsaw to clear fallen trees from the Riverside Trail. Spring 2018
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Elora of WildSafe BC gave a presentation on bear awareness, safety and bear spray techniques to the Wednesday hiking group prior to a regular hike. June 2024
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GFCTS member and master gardener Cheryl Ahrens offers plant safety tips at a Hiking for Beginners class. May 2024
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We installed five pairs of Adirondack chairs on local trails, including this pair partway up Goat Mountain. Thanks to Grand Forks Credit Union staff and Trans Canada Trail for funding this project. Summer 2022
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Scenic Sundays continue all winter! Grand Forks trails are a snowshoer's delight! January 2022
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Larry Hudema, hard at work! July 2021
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Using a gas tax grant from the RDKB, the Society hired a local contractor to upgrade and widen the North Fork section of the Trans-Canada Trail in Fall 2018.
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Society members Robert Linden and Michelle Mallette, along with Chris Moslin (taking the photo), repainted the kiosk at Rockwool Trail Parking Lot. Spring 2018
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Clearing rock from the North Fork trail, just north of Fisherman Falls. Spring 2020
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In 2020 the GFCTS began offering weekly Scenic Sunday hikes open to the community. Here a group enjoys a view of the Dam Site from the western side of the Granby River.
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New hikers join a guided hike to the Upper Viewpoint above the historic dam site. June 2024
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Shel​ley Grandy clearing a path to the beach off the Dam Site trail. July 2021
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With 60 km of trail markers to replace with the new Trans Canada Trail logo, volunteers Michelle Mallette, Robert Linden and Louise Popoff (above) rode their bikes along the trail over a couple of days. Job done! October 2021
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Volunteers cleared brush from the trail edges to provide a wider surface for multiple users at once. (Fall 2018)
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Society member Michelle Mallette and Rigby celebrate finding Lost Lake! Spring 2018
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Volunteers clearing a rockfall near Sectionmen Shed spotted some historic rockwork! June 2020

Activities of the GFCTS by year:

2025
2024
  • Successfully obtained a grant from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Area D Director Linda Kay Wiese, and hired a Trails Manager for one year
  • Collaborated with Kettle River Cycling Association to host B.C. Trails Day Poker Run on June 1st
  • Collaborated with Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy to host a Hiking for Beginners class and introductory community hike
2023
  • Participated in Parade of (Sports) Programs, sharing our love of Trails with outdoors-minded folk
  • Participated in Fri-Yay! Programs for youth with Grand Forks Recreation
  • With Rec Commission, offering four-month/four-hike Hike Our Story for 2023, celebrating our history and our trails
2022
  • With Rec Commission, launched Hike Our Story celebration of our history and our trails, to mark 125 anniversary of incorporation of City of Grand Forks
  • Installed detour route signs for Trans Canada Trail through Railway Park during development
  • Obtained grants to support hiring summer staff to improve trails, infrastructure, and signage
  • Membership Drive
  • Second annual B.C. Trails Day (first Saturday in June)
  • Installed five pairs of adirondack chairs on local trails - Trans Canada Trail both east and west of Grand Forks, Goat Mountain trail, above the Dam Site viewpoint, and VV& E West. Thanks to Grand Forks Credit Union staff and Trans Canada Trail for helping to fund this project
  • Hiking for Absolute Beginners class with Grand Forks Recreation
2021
  • Participated in inaugural B.C. Trails Day (first Saturday in June)
  • Dam Site Improvements - installed a temporary fence that still provides for great views, and a new kiosk featuring well-researched historical information and photos
  • Repaired the steps from the Black Train Bridge to the riverside beach
  • Repaired the footbridge over the Fisherman Falls creek, and a guardrail on the Trans Canada Trail damaged by rockfall
  • Installed new signage restoring the name Trans Canada Trail
2020
  • Scenic Sundays begin - weekly hikes to encourage getting to know our local trails
  • Pandemic protocols in place - two metres between household groups, but our trails remain open
  • AGM and board meetings held outside or via zoom
  • Installed kilometre markers on The Great Trail signage from Eholt to Cascade Falls, except section within Grand Forks
2019
  • Ski tracks placed to support Nordic skiers along North Fork section of the Great Trail
  • Sectionman Shed repairs and painting
2018
  • Obtained a $50,000 gas tax grant from Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to continue to widen and improve the surface of the Lower North Fork section of the Trans-Canada Trail
  • Installed kiosks, signs and benches on the Kettle River Heritage Trail between Whitehall Road and Cascade
  • Working with members of the Grand Forks ATV Club, cleared brush and prepared the Lower North Fork trail for surface widening and improvements
  • Widened, graded and rolled the trail from Eagle Ridge to Fisherman Creek Forest Service Road, and added gravel surface from Eagle Ridge to Goat Mountain FSR
2017
  • In May 2017 we celebrated the opening of the first 2.2 kms of the North Fork section of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), running from North Fork Road to Eagle Ridge Road, funded through a gas tax from the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary.
  • August 2017 saw the official opening of the Kettle River Heritage Trail. The first portion is paved from the Rockwool parking lot to Whitehall Road, opening the trail to users in wheelchairs and strollers. The rest of the trail is crushed gravel to Christina Lake, providing a level surface for cyclists and walkers. 
2016
  • 19 May 2016: Renewal of Partnership Agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC (Province of BC) to manage and maintain the trail network around Grand Forks for five-year term.
  • Published the new Grand Forks Walkabout Trail Guide
  • Obtained a grant of $25,000 from Area D Director Roly Russell to install a new surface of crush on the Lower North Fork TCT (designated multi-use).  Together with Emcon and other partners this 2.2 km section from North Fork Road to Eagle Ridge was widened and resurfaced with a local product.
gfcts_partnership_agreement_2016.pdf
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2015
  • Advocated for province to designate the section of the Trans-Canada Trail between Grand Forks and Christina Lake ‘non-motorized’.  This was a lengthy process involving much of the community.
  • Began process of designating the priceless Dam Site Trail an official recreational trail. It was successfully added to the Stewardship Agreement with the province.
  • Trails to the riverside were constructed and signed. 
  • Continued to make improvements to local trails, including the Observation Mountain Trail. 
2014
  • 31 March 2014: Creation of two-year Partnership Agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC (Province of BC) to manage and maintain the trail network around Grand Forks. 
  • March 2014: Creation of "Vision Trail Map" for Grand Forks.
  • Major renovations to the Observation Mountain Trail,
  • Built stairs at the Nursery Trestle
  • Made repairs to the Sectionman’s shed at Fisherman Creek
gfcts_partnership_agreement_2014.pdf
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vision_trail_map_mar_2014.pdf
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2013
  • 29 April 2013: Together with the Grand Forks ATV Club, facilitated the Boundary Trails Agreement between trail users including equestrians, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and mountain bikers. 
  • Completion of the engineering and design for the entire Kettle River Heritage Trail project. Total value: $56,000.
  • Construction of Phase 1 of the Kettle River Heritage Trail from the 68th Avenue Bridge to the Nursery Trestle. Total value: $200,000
  • Trans Canada Trail repairs and upgrades funded through Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, in cooperation with the GFCTS, over the last 10 years. Estimated value: $5,000,000. Much of the labour generously supplied by local contractors and workers.
boundary_trails_agreement_2013.pdf
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kettle_river_heritage_trail_plan_2013.pdf
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2012
  • Construction of the trail head parking lost and kiosk at the 86th Avenue bridge. Partners: City of Grand Forks, Roxul (now Rockwool). Total value: $27,000.
  • Nov. 2012: Creation of plan for paving upgrade to the TCT, the Grand Forks to Cascade section, of the Kettle River Heritage Trail.
grand_forks_cascade_paving_proposal_2012.pdf
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2011
  • Plaza development on TCT at Kettle River Drive, kiosk, toolshed refurbished, benches and signage along the TCT from Hwy 3 to Kettle River Drive. Partners: TCT Foundation, Boundary Woodworkers. Total value: $50,000.
2010
  • GFCTS advocated and supported the City of Grand Forks as it embarked on trail, sidewalk, and drainage development with a Local Motion Grant of $720,000 from the Government of BC and Recreational Infrastructure Grant from the Federal Government of $721,000 and the City of Grand Forks contribution of $721,000. Total value: $2,163,000. 
2009
  • Section One of the 2010 Trail Enhancement Project started with the installation of decking and railing of the Black Train Bridge. Partners: TCT Foundation, Phoenix Foundation, SIDIT, 39 Combat Engineer Regiment, Canadian Military, Emcon, City of Grand Forks, local businesses. Total value: $35,000
2008
  • Installation of Bantam Marker in City Park alongside the paved trail. Partners: TCT Foundation, City of Grand Forks.
2007
  • Fall 2007: Website developed with Netfirms. Total value: $1,200.
2006
  • Ongoing maintenance of trail network, promotion and trails, and recruitment of volunteers, members, and supporters.
2005
  • Spring 2005: Creation of first Grand Forks Trails booklet. Partners: Rosemary Phillips, Grand Forks Printing, Boundary Mapping. Total value: about $5,000.
2004
  • Ongoing maintenance of trail network, promotion and trails, and recruitment of volunteers, members, and supporters.
2003
  • Summer 2003: Smitten Trestle at Christina Lake and Nursery Trestle decked. Partners: TCT Foundation, Canadian Military Engineers, Royal Military Engineers, Christina Lake and Grand Forks Chambers of Commerce, Terasen Gas, Molson Breweries (through Molson "Local Heroes" program), Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary, Pope and Talbot, Christina Lake Golf Course, Grand Forks and District Credit Union. Total value: About $370,000
2002
  • Summer 2002: Cascade Gorge trestle decked. Partners: Terasen Gas, Canadian Military Engineers, Christina Lake Chamber of Commerce, City of Grand Forks, Trans Canada Trail (TCT) Foundation. Total value: about $20,000
  • Summer 2002: Restoration of the CPR Sectionman's shed at Station Pub in Grand Forks. Partners: Grand Forks Rotary Club, Station Pub. Total value: $2,000
  • Fall 2002: 1.7 km waterfront trail created and allows the TCT to pass through Grand Forks along the Kettle River. Partners: City of Grand Forks, Roxul (Rockwool), Canpar, TCT Foundation, Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Foundation, Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary. Total value: about $100,000
​2001
  • 9 May 2001: Incorporation of the Grand Forks Community Trails Society. Founding members: Christine Luke, Sandy Shilling, Angela Gibson, Jean Johnson, Jim Glanville.
  • Summer 2001: TCT through City Park surfaced under a "Go for Green" grant. Partners: City of Grand Forks, Trails BC, TCT Foundation, Province of BC. Total value: $50,000.
gfcts_constitution_2001.pdf
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