One of the most popular trails in Squamish, the Ray Peters trail is great for all ages and users. My favourite experiences are the aroma of mature evergreens and the views of surrounding mountains.听
This gently slopping area is the remains of a very large piece of the dormant volcano on Mt. Garibaldi that blew off and slid 10 kilometres down eons ago. Now part of the Cheekye Fan, it is a rambling expanse of pleasant woods and some old pavement from a defunct trailer-court of the 1960s. The area is a peaceful one away from Highway 99.
The most convenient access point is just across Ross Road from the lower parking lot at Don Ross Secondary School, because this gives assured parking. The trailheads near Highway 99 have limited parking space. This trail has provided the running section for the Squamish Triathlon in the past.听
Sixteen other trails crisscross the area inside the Ray Peters loop. Getting lost is easy once off the main trail, but staying lost is not possible since all these interior trails eventually pop out onto the main trail. Remember to stay outside of the community cemetery on the west side of the loop.
At the junction of two interior trails about 0.3 km east of the cemetery is a memorial post . This honours Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot Officer John A Quick, who gave his life overseas on Aug. 6, 1943, during the Second World War. This post marks the centre of a re-forested area where he helped to plant about 20,000 trees before joining the air force in 1941. This was one of the first re-forestation projects in Canada and is known as the Quick Memorial Forest, a project of the Squamish Legion.听
This month marks the date of 10 years since Ray Peters鈥� passing, says Anne (Peters) Carney. 鈥淚 often hear people comment that they think of him almost daily as they walk, run or bike on one of the many trails he helped build and maintain,鈥� said Carney.
Commenting last week, she also praised the Squamish Trails Society. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure he is 鈥榦ut there,鈥� still building trails and pleased with the time and effort鈥� the committee members and trail builders put into the trail system, keeping his spirit and the outdoor recreation spirit alive and well in this town.鈥�
Editor鈥檚 note: Jim Gracie of the Squamish Trails Society will be writing this new trails column on a regular basis.
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Ray Peters Trail
The Ray Peters Trail, #712 of the municipal trail system, is one of the most utilized. A well maintained gravel track of 7.8 km around the mature forest of north Brackendale.听
Origin of name: Ray Peters (1946-2006) was a retired fireman from North Vancouver who lived his last decade in Squamish. He was a keen advocate for outdoor activity, a very able trail runner and a marathoner. Peters was one of the originators of the Squamish Triathlon and a municipal councillor from 2000 to 2006. 听 听
Trailhead: Off Depot Road at Highway 99 and off Squamish Valley Road near Highway 99.
Use: Multi use, double track. 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听
Difficulty: Easy. Green. 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听
Elevation: 44 metres up to 137 metres. 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
Etiquette: 听Move off track to rest, chat or view. 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
