Summit Trail Makers Society

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Summit Trail Makers Society We aim to promote safe and sustainable hiking experiences by assisting in development and maintenanc Ministry of Forests.

History: The society was created in 2001 by a small group of hikers with a desire to "give something back". At that time, an informal relationship was established with the B.C. As STMS membership grew, their record of trail maintenance successes also grew, as well as their credibility with the government. By 2007, grant money from the Ministry supplemented the Society's membership income as the province relied more and more on groups such as STMS for assistance in managing the trails. A formal partnership agreement between the province and STMS was put in place in 2011 with a term of 5 years. Through government funding and other grants over the years, STMS has accumulated an inventory of equipment and developed a pool of skilled volunteers who greatly contribute to the happy hiking experiences available in the Columbia Valley and neighbouring mountain ranges.

A Swansea trail maintenance work bee is planned for Saturday October 24th. We are looking for 6 volunteers to assist. Pl...
10/12/2026

A Swansea trail maintenance work bee is planned for Saturday October 24th. We are looking for 6 volunteers to assist. Please contact Brian directly if you have a few hours to help. [email protected]

Meet at Swansea Mountain base parking lot at 10:00 a.m.

Scope of work: As done in previous years, road maintenance will be addressed (below the 2km parking). As many of you are aware, the Province does not maintain access roads like that the one on Swansea Mountain. As a result, road maintenance falls to recreation groups like STMS and local companies to volunteer their services to this cause. Our particular work bee is being done to clear the ditches and complete some minor water bars (spring and storm water run off being a major source of road damage) on the Swansea Fire Service Road. There will be mattock/pick work, shoveling and raking activities associated with this activity. The work bee is open to everyone, so please consider volunteering for the final STMS 2026 work bee.

Volunteers: 6 volunteers

Tools: Most of the work will be done using hand tools such as mattocks, rakes, shovels. All tools and protective equipment will be supplied by STMS. You should bring personal gear such as lunch, water, bear spray, hat, rain protection... your own gloves if you prefer etc.

Refreshments: beer/wine and nachos after the event.

Due to insurance requirements, all volunteers must be current members of STMS.

Photo from previous season.

There are a few new conditions or matters to report. Don’t forget as we dive further and further into fall, conditions w...
10/09/2026

There are a few new conditions or matters to report.
Don’t forget as we dive further and further into fall, conditions will be changing. You can expect to see snow/frost up high. Adjust your footwear and gear accordingly. And don’t forget we aren’t far off from avalanche season.
If you haven’t grabbed your 2026 membership yet, head to our website today.

The bridge over Hell Roaring creek, on the way to Lake of the Hanging Glacier, is coming out tomorrow. This hike is not ...
10/08/2026

The bridge over Hell Roaring creek, on the way to Lake of the Hanging Glacier, is coming out tomorrow.
This hike is not recommended once the bridge is removed. The creek crossing can be very dangerous and people have been seriously hurt attempting it. Please, for your safety, your hiking partners safety, and the safety of the search and rescue crews, do not attempt this hike until the bridge is back in place next season.
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An Invermere family found a pair of hiking poles in the lower parking lot of Welsh Lake on Sat Sept 26 around 5 pm. If y...
09/29/2026

An Invermere family found a pair of hiking poles in the lower parking lot of Welsh Lake on Sat Sept 26 around 5 pm. If you are missing a pair, shoot us a message and we will connect you.

Photo taken Sept 20, 2026

The work bee to remove the bridge on Oct 1 has been cancelled due to low volunteer turn out. The society really depends ...
09/29/2026

The work bee to remove the bridge on Oct 1 has been cancelled due to low volunteer turn out.
The society really depends on volunteers to get trail maintenance done and, unfortunately, there are not enough folks this time to take the bridge out.
We will try again for another date before it gets too cold.
If you have ever considered joining a trail day, please keep your eyes on this page for opportunities. This work can’t happen without you.

Good morning members! Volunteers are requested to help;Trail - Lake of the Hanging GlacierDate - Thursday October 1Meet...
09/23/2026

Good morning members! Volunteers are requested to help;

Trail - Lake of the Hanging Glacier
Date - Thursday October 1
Meet - Black Forest Restaurant Hwy 93/95
Time - 7:30 am
Request for 8 volunteers consisting of 2 chainsaw certified operators, 1 first aid attendant.
1 High clearance truck is also requested
Scope of work, clearing of avalanche debris & dead fall and removal of the bridge spans over Hell Roaring Creek.

If you are available to help please contact Georges St Amour directy [email protected]

Expect cool morning temperatures, dress in layers, bring water, lunch, work gloves, hat, sun protection and bug spray. All tools and safety gear are supplied by STMS.

Please be advised, due to insurance requirements, all volunteers are requested to have paid their 2025 membership fee prior to joining the work bee. If you haven’t had a chance to renew your membership, it’s conveniently possible by clicking on this link for payment options: https://summittrailmakers.ca/membership

The larches are starting and we hope everyone is finding time to enjoy! On one of the adventure pages someone requested...
09/20/2026

The larches are starting and we hope everyone is finding time to enjoy!
On one of the adventure pages someone requested photos of the Welsh Lake road to show what is meant by rough for the last section. We did the best we could. Was certainly happy to have the truck as the road is getting rougher over the years.
Also for anyone contemplating the circuit. We had some kind of wildlife encounter today just below Aberystwyth lake. We don’t know what it was but we heard it and the ground rumbled for all of us. It’s only the second time in my life I have pulled my bear spray and had it ready to deploy. If you are heading out anywhere this Fall, be bear aware, make noise, and travel safely.
Happy Larch Season to all who celebrate! And if you are enjoying this gorgeous hike, please consider grabbing your 2026 season membership!

Did anyone else catch the gorgeous sunrise over Swansea this morning? Hopefully everyone is getting out and enjoying som...
09/13/2026

Did anyone else catch the gorgeous sunrise over Swansea this morning? Hopefully everyone is getting out and enjoying some fun adventures this weekend. This forecasted rain may bring snow up high so make you pack the right gear for your fall adventures.

The road condition page was updated today in case you haven’t checked it out lately. It had said that Pedley was mostly ...
09/08/2026

The road condition page was updated today in case you haven’t checked it out lately. It had said that Pedley was mostly good but tends to be rutted towards the end. After hiking there today, I thought we should update it. There are a few good water bars along the way including the ones pictured. The pictures don’t really do it justice but there is a creek bed (dry for a lot of the summer) that could do some damage to lower sitting vehicles. There are also a few other goods one as well.
Road and trail reports are pinned to the top of each page. Checking these before heading out is all part of trip planning.
Big Cheers to everyone who has paid for their memberships this season or donated to STMS. It all helps keep the trails hiking smoothly.

This page is meant to help you determine what type of vehicles are needed for all the trails. The trail update post is s...
09/08/2026

This page is meant to help you determine what type of vehicles are needed for all the trails. The trail update post is still where to find trail conditions.

Please remember that the conditions of the roads can change quickly especially during heavy rains or winds. It’s important to be prepared for anything. You are travelling backroads with limited to no cell service and need to plan accordingly. The type of vehicle doesn’t factor in your driving ability, experience, and what kind of tires you are running.
For more information on how to plan a safe trip, visit BC AdventureSmart today.

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Invermere, BC

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