Stawamus/Indian FSR

[Mr.Sleazy]

Hello Squamish climbers and backcountry users:

The Stawamus road that goes up behind the Chief and over to Indian Arm has been closed and gated now for a couple of years, ostensibly due to a bridge washout. The Squamish Forest District website lists this info on their page:

STAWAMUS/
INDIAN RIVER Wilderness Forest Service Road
Closed - no public access; bridge out at approximately 16.5km
** no anticipated opening date **

The road is barricaded and gated just above the chlorine shack on the Mamquam, and the only way through now is on foot, or with a mountain or dirt bike. The District has spent mucho $$$ on installing boulder blockades and ditching to prevent 4x4 access.

The Stawamus / Indian is a major access point for some very good climbing. Included on the list:

The south face of Habrich (Life on Earth and other good routes)
Sky Pilot and Ledge Mtn (very important alpine area)
Fluffy Kitten Wall on the NE side of Habrich
The Solarium (yes its shorter and less elevation to go in from behind the Chief)
Also lots of winter ice up in the Stawamus Valley

I am urging climbers to email the Squamish Forest District and voice their concern over the closure of this road. It is very close to becoming a permanent closure, though when it started the District said it would be temporary. Please email the Squamish Forest District [Forests.SquamishDistrictOffice@gov.bc.ca] to let them know. To make it easier, you may wish to cut and paste the following message into your email:

Hello:

I am emailing to voice my concern over the continued closure of the Stawamus / Indian FSR, currently gated close to the bottom of the road. This road is a major recreational access point to alpine and subalpine climbing terrain, and is very important to the climbing community. Closure of access roads to backcountry areas substantially increases use impacts to frontcountry areas, such as the Stawamus Provincial Park, as recreational users are confined to more restricted locations.

I strongly urge you to re-open this road.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.







Thanks to anyone who helps out with this.

[Peter]

Have you made the casbc aware of this. It should be right up their alley.

[Mr.Sleazy]

Yes, CASBC is aware.

The more people that voice their concern, the greater chance that the District will find the money to open the road again.

Go Go Go Go!!