Cranbrook Community Forest

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Cranbrook Community Forest An educational and recreational forest located on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation.

Established and managed by a group of dedicated volunteers who make up the Cranbrook Community Forest Society, a registered charitable organization. The Cranbrook Community Forest is an established Recreation Site (governed by the Forest Recreation Regulations) and as such provides a variety of recreational opportunities. The Cranbrook Community Forest recognizes that the land it occupies is in the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa Nation and the chosen homeland of the Rocky Mountain Métis. We deeply respect and honour their longstanding stewardship of this land.

10/09/2026

Two elections are coming up in B.C. - just one week apart. ️🌲

Local elections: Saturday, October 17
Provincial election: Saturday, October 24

Both matter for outdoor recreation and quality of life in our communities.

Local governments make decisions about trails, parks, active transportation, community planning and recreation infrastructure. The provincial government has a major role in public lands, trails and recreation sites, resource road access, provincial parks, conservation and funding for outdoor recreation.

If you care about outdoor recreation and its role in healthy communities and local economies, this is a good time to make your voice heard.

Before you vote:
🥾 Find out where your local and provincial candidates stand on outdoor recreation.
🌲 Ask how they will support trails, parks and access to the outdoors.
🛠️ Ask how they will support the volunteer organizations and community groups that care for the places, access and recreation opportunities people rely on across B.C.
🗺️ Ask how outdoor recreation will be considered in land-use planning, community development and economic development decisions.

And most importantly: make a plan to vote.

Outdoor recreation contributes to our health, communities and economy.

Elections are an opportunity to make sure the people making decisions understand that.

ORCBC is non-partisan and does not endorse or oppose political parties or candidates.

🌲 Community Forest Update – Trail UsersForestry work is underway again in the Cranbrook Community Forest. Crews are curr...
10/08/2026

🌲 Community Forest Update – Trail Users

Forestry work is underway again in the Cranbrook Community Forest. Crews are currently working in Phase 3, between the pipeline and Bonehead, moving north from Roller Coaster (see associated map).

🚧 Active worksite signs are posted. Please respect all signage, stay clear of active work areas, and follow any posted directions to help keep everyone safe and allow crews to work without interruption.

🔥 Pile burning is expected to begin once we receive some rain and conditions are suitable.

Thanks for your cooperation and for helping us keep the Community Forest safe for everyone while this important work continues! 🌲

🍂Aspen season has arrived in the Cranbrook Community Forest! 🍂There’s something pretty magical about walking through the...
10/05/2026

🍂Aspen season has arrived in the Cranbrook Community Forest! 🍂

There’s something pretty magical about walking through the forest right now. Some aspens are glowing bright yellow, while others are showing off shades of orange and red. It’s like the forest can’t quite agree on what colour fall should be and honestly, we’re here for all of it! 🍁

And here’s a cool little fact: those beautiful aspen trees may look like individual trees, but many of them are actually part of the same clone. 🌳🌳🌳

Aspens can spread through an underground root system, sending up new trunks that are genetically identical to the original tree. So when you’re looking at a whole grove of aspens, you may actually be looking at one enormous organism with hundreds, or even thousands of individual stems!

Even more fascinating, trees within the same clone can sometimes change colour at slightly different times. So that patchwork of green, yellow and red isn’t just beautiful, it’s a glimpse into the complexity of the forest.

Next time you’re out in the Cranbrook Community Forest, take a moment to look up, look around, and enjoy the fall show. 🍂💛❤️

Fall really knows how to put on a show in the Kootenays! 🌲🍁

09/24/2026

⚠️ COUGAR ENCOUNTER IN THE COMMUNITY FOREST ⚠️

A serious cougar encounter was reported recently in the Cranbrook Community Forest, near the powerline and Split Rock Trail.

A large cougar reportedly approached and continued to pursue a man who was on foot. The man used bear spray, threw rocks and made significant loud noise, but the cougar continued to show interest. Thankfully, he was able to get away unharmed.

This is a good reminder that cougars are present in our forest, and carrying bear spray is an important part of being prepared.

🐾 If you encounter a cougar:
• Stay calm and do not run or turn your back.
• Keep the cougar in sight and slowly back away, giving it an escape route.
• Make yourself look as large as possible.
• Speak firmly and make yourself appear threatening if the cougar continues to approach or follow you.
• Pick up small children immediately.
• If the cougar becomes aggressive, use rocks, sticks or other objects to defend yourself.
• If a cougar attacks, fight back and use whatever you have available, including bear spray.

🐕 Hiking with your dog?

Your dog can attract the attention of a cougar, particularly if it runs ahead, chases wildlife or encounters the cougar before you do. Keep your dog close and under control, and make sure you have a leash readily available.

If you see a cougar, do not allow your dog to chase or approach it. Keep your dog with you and slowly back away while keeping the cougar in sight. Having a dog with a reliable recall is especially important when hiking in cougar country.

🧴 Carry your bear spray!

Bear spray isn’t just for bears. It can provide an important last line of defence during a close wildlife encounter. Keep it accessible on your body, not buried in your backpack and know how to use it before you need it.

It’s also a good idea to hike with others, make some noise as you travel, stay alert for signs of wildlife and keep dogs under control.

📍 The animal could be anywhere, but please use extra caution around the powerline and Split Rock Trail area following the encounter.

If you see a cougar, particularly one that is approaching people, following people or otherwise behaving aggressively or unusually, report the encounter to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).

Stay safe out there, look out for one another and please share this with your fellow forest users. 🌲🐾

A quick parking reminder 😊If you’re parking at the first parking lot on the left as you come up 2nd Street South and it ...
09/24/2026

A quick parking reminder 😊

If you’re parking at the first parking lot on the left as you come up 2nd Street South and it turns into Mount Baker Road, please try not to block access to the field.

There’s a house beside the lot and a large field behind it. The owner has kindly given the neighbours whose properties back onto the field permission to use it, so keeping the access clear is appreciated.

Thanks so much for helping everyone share the space respectfully! 🙂

09/13/2026

🐾 DOG OWNERS — KNOW THE RULES IN THE CRANBROOK COMMUNITY FOREST

The Cranbrook Community Forest is a shared space for hikers, runners, cyclists, wildlife and, of course, dogs. But being in the forest with your dog comes with a responsibility to ensure your dog does not negatively impact other people or animals.

Under Section 12 of the Forest Recreation Regulation, anyone responsible for a pet must ensure that, while on a recreation site, recreation trail or interpretive forest site, their pet does not:

🚫 Present a threat to the property, life or safety of any person or animal.

🚫 Cause an unnecessary disturbance to other people or animals.

These are enforceable regulations, not suggestions. Violations are ticketable offences:

• $115 fine — if your dog presents a threat to a person or animal
• $58 fine — if your dog causes an unnecessary disturbance

This means that allowing your dog to chase wildlife, threaten or intimidate other trail users or animals, or otherwise create an unsafe or disruptive situation can have consequences.

You are responsible for your dog. Period.

If you witness an incident that may warrant enforcement, details matter. A violation ticket requires identifying information about the responsible individual, along with a detailed description of what occurred; who, what, when, where and how. Report infractions to You can report infractions using the Natural Resource Violation Online Form https://forms.gov.bc.ca/industry/report-a-natural-resource-violation/
or by calling the toll-free RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 (or #7277 on a mobile phone).

Please be a responsible dog owner. Keep your dog under control, respect other trail users and wildlife, and remember that not everyone, human or animal , is comfortable with your dog approaching them.

The Community Forest belongs to all of us. Let’s keep it safe, respectful and enjoyable for everyone. 🌲🐕

🚨 IMPORTANT TRAIL SAFETY WARNING — SEPTEMBER 10–30 🚨Hunting season is underway from September 10–30. For your own safety...
09/07/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT TRAIL SAFETY WARNING — SEPTEMBER 10–30 🚨

Hunting season is underway from September 10–30. For your own safety, PLEASE DO NOT RIDE THE AFFECTED TRAILS during this period.

These areas are actively being used for hunting, and being on the trails puts you at unnecessary risk. The safest choice is to stay out.

If you choose to ride despite this warning:

🟠 WEAR HIGH-VISIBILITY CLOTHING — NO EXCEPTIONS
🟠 STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS
🟠 STAY ALERT AND CONSTANTLY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
🟠 DO NOT ENTER POSTED OR CLOSED AREAS

⚠️ PARTIAL CLOSURE — PRIVATE PROPERTY

Hobgoblin and Wizard’s Castle have partial closures where the trails cross private property. Areas marked with RED SQUARES on the map are CLOSED and will be clearly signed.

DO NOT ENTER THESE AREAS. Respect the closure and the property owner.

When it comes to hunting season, please don’t take unnecessary chances. Choose another trail and ride another day.

Questions or clarification: [email protected]

Please share this information with other trail users.

Address

2700 College Way
Cranbrook, BC
V1C5L7

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