Squamish Access Society

The original sloped access-point to the Papoose was destroyed by road access improvements to Shannon Falls Provincial Park. The SAS lobbied for remediation, and with the recent opening of the Papoose, we have succeeded in having a new ramp roughed in to generally gain the level of the main access path (there is still a dog-leg up to the trail that needs to be cleared). We are in communication with BC Parks and the highway improvement contractor to optimize this access point.

We have received confirmation that the Papoose is now open for climbing, and have asked Parks to have the closure sign removed. The original trail head is now gone but we have an understanding from Kiewit that they will build a new one (which we will most likely have link into a new trail to Gobsmacking and Shannon Falls walls).

As is evident from the blasting and clearing still going on, the entire season of climbing at the Papoose was lost due to highway construction. Needless to say, the extensions of closure from the first anticipated date of May have been a disappointment. Of course, this was due in large part to circumstances beyond the control of the contractors. Nonetheless, it is with regret that we still note the closure sign indicating May as the opening date, despite our best efforts to request updated signage.

The latest indication from the highway work contractor is mid-to-late October.

We are working on obtaining the latest news on the Papoose opening delay, now extended into it’s fourth month. It looks like the blasting is in it’s final stages. Unfortunately, negotiations to obtain a partial opening on Fridays and Saturdays during the month of August did not end successfully. Nor have repeated calls to have the on-sight signage updated, which still state May as the proposed opening.

The Ministry of Transportation has asked to be included in the most recent communications with the contractor regarding information on the Papoose. As a result, we will hopefully have an indication of the latest estimated date of opening by the end of the first week of September. Ideally, we would be able to report the opening at that time.

The closure at the Papoose, due to blasting for the Sea to Sky Highway improvement project, remains in effect. It is taking longer than anticipated to clear that amount of rock, particularly given the recent weather. The SAS met on-site with the project manager on May 10th to discuss timelines and the creation of a new approach to the existing trail. “Early July” was as precise a time-frame as could be obtained. We impressed that as soon as the last charge went off, the crag (as far as climbers were concerned) was open, irrespective of further work in the area. The new trail head (which still has to be confirmed by Parks) will be an angling trail over the clay slope to a switchback at the forest rim which takes you up to the start of the existing trail in the woods. It may or may not be in place at the termination of blasting.

The closure of the Papoose has been extended beyond the earlier anticipated opening time frame of mid-May. Because of the amount of rainfall in February and March, concern over sediment discharge levels into Howe Sound led to highway work interruptions. The actual entrance into Shannon Falls Provincial Park should be completed in May, and Peter Kiewit Sons has asked for an on-site meeting with the SAS to discuss the future access connection to the trail head, which is now cut off due to excavations. The tentative date for a green light to climbing at the Papoose is mid June. We have asked that the signage in the area be updated accordingly.

On December 11th, 2006, the SAS met with representatives of the Ministry of Transportation and the highway work contractor regarding ongoing work at the Papoose. While the Papoose has remained nominally open since work began, the schedule of blasting has led to unpredictable timeframes in which the crag would be open for climbers. The signage which the contractor had been posting was at times confusing and contradictory. There is a real physical threat to climbers being anywhere near the Papoose during blasting: the access path is directly adjacent to current blasting work, and blasting is occuring at the south end as well, out of sight of the access path entrance. It was agreed that the best interim solution would be to have climbers adhere to a voluntary closure until the blasting schedule became more predictable or when the blasting was done.

The SAS is working with the contractor on the best on-site signage to communicate the closure, and these signs should be posted by late-January. The possibility remains for a negotiated partial closure on weekdays, allowing climbers access during the weekends. If this solution is reached, we will post an update and the signage will be amended.

For a graphic representation of how the Shannon Falls interchange will look after construction, please see the conceptual plan from the Sea to Sky Improvements website.

Work at the Papoose has started in earnest now with blasting occurring regularly between the highway and the cliff. Here is a photo of the current situation (mid-October) on the site. As of late October, we understand significant work has started at the North end of the buttress in front of the Papoose.

As of mid-October, the contractors had posted two signs for climbers at the entrance of the trail heads, which denote blasting times. The most current information indicates this may have changed. Do not enter the trail head during any posted times of blasting. We are working on clarification of the large no entry signage which is presumed to mean vehicular traffic/casual pedestrian only, and on potential new developments which leave the area devoid of any signage (as of late October). Parking is still possible at modified Shannon Falls entrance or potentially across the highway. This work is ongoing until summer 2007.

While highway construction at the Papoose is looming, we have not been informed of any permanent closures. When blasting begins, the current news from the contractor is that appropriate signage will be placed at the entrance way concerning the access situation. The newest way in to the parking lot of Shannon Falls Provincial Park has been moved to the north by a hundred feet or so because of work on the bridge. If one parks there, one has to walk south along the highway (the old entrance road is off limits) to access the new approach trail. The other option is to find ‘alternate’ parking and cross the highway at the lights and head straight up the embankment to the clearly marked trail. There is a ‘No Entry’ sign at the old entrance, but we have not been informed that this is to prevent climbers from briefly skirting the right side of that road before heading up into the woods on the approach trail.

Unfortunately, the trees on the buttress between the Papoose and the highway have been felled in preparation for blasting sometime in the next 12 months (read more below). When blasting begins, we will work with the contractor to provide appropriate signage and communication regarding access to the crag. Our objective is to have the contractor provide appropriate and timely on-site information; more so than was forthcoming initially at Nightmare Rock and what is currently available at Comic Rocks.

Some Background: Historically, the Papoose climbs have enjoyed a relatively sheltered exposure to highway noise and presence, and throughout MOT’s Recreation Focus Group process it was declared by MOT as an area where there would be no impacts. However, early in 2005 MOT curtly declared they would be four-laning below the crag, with the consequence that the protective tree and rock cover along the highway’s edge would be blown away, along with some climbs just off the current highway. The full impact of four lanes of traffic in full view below the crag will bring a new and unpleasant aspect to the Papoose climbing experience. Regrettably, neither BC Parks nor the District of Squamish offered objection to this.

While highway construction at the Papoose is looming, we have not been informed of any permanent closures. When blasting begins, the current news from the contractor is that appropriate signage will be placed at the entrance way concerning the access situation. The newest way in to the parking lot of Shannon Falls Provincial Park has been moved to the north by a hundred feet or so because of work on the bridge. If one parks there, one has to walk south along the highway (the old entrance road is off limits) to access the new approach trail. The other option is to find ?alternate? parking and cross the highway at the lights and head straight up the embankment to the clearly marked trail. There is a ‘No Entry’ sign at the old entrance, but we have not been informed that this is to prevent climbers from briefly skirting the right side of that road before heading up into the woods on the approach trail.

Unfortunately, the trees on the buttress between the Papoose and the highway have been felled in preparation for blasting sometime in the next 12 months (read more below). When blasting begins, we will work with the contractor to provide appropriate signage and communication regarding access to the crag. Our objective is to have the contractor provide appropriate and timely on-site information; more so than was forthcoming initially at Nightmare Rock and what is currently available at Comic Rocks.

Some Background: Historically, the Papoose climbs have enjoyed a relatively sheltered exposure to highway noise and presence, and throughout MOT?s Recreation Focus Group process it was declared by MOT as an area where there would be no impacts. However, early in 2005 MOT curtly declared they would be four-laning below the crag, with the consequence that the protective tree and rock cover along the highway?s edge would be blown away, along with some climbs just off the current highway. The full impact of four lanes of traffic in full view below the crag will bring a new and unpleasant aspect to the Papoose climbing experience. Regrettably, neither BC Parks nor the District of Squamish offered objection to this.