Elkford is the poster town for ATV club involvement and partnership with local government. That became apparent when Elkford hosted the annual ATV/BC Jamboree on August 19 to 23, 2009. Clubs from all over B.C. and beyond, including the Sicamous ATV Club and the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, congregated in Elkford, most staying at the Elkford Lions Municipal Campground.
The scene was one of toy haulers, ATVs parked by fancy trucks and custom-built trailers. Kali Love and I were lucky enough to join the VIP ride to a view point above Elkford on the road to the Fording River, across the valley, over the Elk River bridge, up Trail Seven and back to Elkford.
Kali drove a new Razor and I rode with Khen Chang, a mechanic who has lived in Elkford for 27 years, in his brand new Rhino. The Rhino was very cool—kind of like a cross between a jeep and an ATV.
The box was stocked with a tool box, a first aid kit, extra gas and water as well as a few extra helmets and jackets. It was as if they correctly anticipated the writer to be a little uneasy about all-terrain vehicles—so they really picked the right guy to bring me on the ride.
Invigorating and safe riding
Chang had just taken up ATVing that year, and was seemingly exhilarated by his new pastime. Chang said that his first reason for ATVing was for the social aspect—and the spirit of camaraderie was apparent on the VIP ride. The group was led by a guide and tailed by another, and a few visi-vested volunteers buzzed alongside to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort.
One of the visi-vested guides was Elkford club safety guy Gordie Galloway, who rode on a quad with a winch. Galloway’s winch came in handy, when only a few kilometres from our planned lunch stop a fallen cottonwood tree blocked the trail.
While Granger Bertrand bucked it up with the little chainsaw he always carries and Galloway skidded out the logs with a sling and his winch, I got a chance to meet Elkford mayor Dean McKerracher and his friendly wife Jo-Anne, who helped me remove my tightly-strapped helmet.
A profile of the community
McKerracher filled me in on the District of Elkford’s ATV licensing program. For a small fee, ATVers puchase a licence plate that identifies them and allows them to ride their quads within town—solely for the purpose of taking the most direct route to and from the ATV trails that surround the community.
McKerracher said that the program has reduced the instances of hooliganism and has increased the community profile of the responsible ATVers. McKerracher spoke of how the District of Elkford partners with the ATV club for initiatives like signage and bridges. McKerracher said that the district provides the signs, while the volunteers of the ATV club post and maintain them.
When the Elk River changed course due to the flood of 1995, a new bridge was required to cross the river’s new channel. Peter Cunningham, the Elkford club’s president, said that the bridge was an important collaboration between the district and the ATV club.
The bridge cost just over $50,000 to build, and it is an important connector of trails on either side of the valley. The next project will be a replacement of the bridge that crosses Boiven Creek. It is currently built of two logs with decking attached to the top.
One of the logs has rotted out, so the club jacked up the bridge, removed the bad section and shored it up. They intend to completely replace the bridge. Mayor McKerracher has sourced preserved poles and will be donating those to the club for their project.
Dedicated riders
Cunningham spoke of how important it is for ATVers to organize and work together to present a coherent voice to government. Land use is an ongoing issue for ATVers, and Cunningham wants to ensure continued access by showing that ATVers are stewards of the land who have earned the right to access the backcountry.
It seems that the club has a popular message, as 380 people enjoy a membership in the Elkford ATV Club. The Elkford Trails website states that the Elkford club is comprised of “a responsible group of motorized environmentalists who care a great deal about wildlife and habitat,” and on my ride I witnessed that statement to be true.
I noticed how members of the group stopped to pick up littered cans, slowed down while crossing puddles to reduce erosion and turned off their engines when the group stopped. Many of the ATVers I interviewed had extensive knowledge of the backcountry surrounding Elkford, and their love of the area was apparent.
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