Report for 12 month fiscal period of January – December, 2025 As prepared for the Annual General Meeting March 31, 2026 29 Coal Creek Heritage Trail Loop & the Ammonite Project The RDEK Area A Sustainable Tourism & Recreation Program made a variety of improvements over the past few year at what is now called the Castle Mountain Trailhead along Coal Creek Road, at the junction with River Road. In spring 2025, these locations had installation of interpretive signage, designed by Claris Media, placd on the kiosks that were constructed in 2024. With the sale of Doman lands to NCC in late 2025, the signs will be updated in 2026. This new trailhead provides another access point to the diversity of trails in the area. This includes the new Coal Creek Heritage Trail Loop( CCHTL) development with a pedestrian suspension bridge, and re-route to the Ammonite Fossil. Primarily funded by the BC Government’ s Destination Development Fund, the project expects to be finished construction in 2026, and is led by the Fernie Trails Alliance, in partnership with Coal Creek Heritage Society and Tourism Fernie. An extensive new interpretive signage project for the Loop is also underway with key content planning and creation support from the Fernie Heritage Museum, Pat Gilmar, and professional interpretive consultant Lee-Anne Walker, and design by Claris Media. Carpal Tunnel Carpal Tunnel Trans Canada Trail Roots Extension Suspension Bridge( Coming Soon)( Coming Soon) Coal Creek Heritage Loop Ammonite Trail Eric’ s Trail Roller Kid’ s Stuff Roxy Mad Cow Swine Flu Swine Climb Swine Flu More Cowbell Fernie Valley Pathway Mad Cow Y ' Ed dy MAIDEN LAKE( Gravel Road High Clearance Vehicles Only) Hy perextention Unicorn Space Big Money COAL CREEK Stove Creek Campground Coming Soon visit CoalCreekCampAndRV. ca Old Roots Snoop Lion Southern Comfort Queen V Eco-Terrorist Coal Creek Heritage Trail Old Stumpy Broken Derailleur Deadfall Kush R-Trail Oh Dear Kushier Kushiest Kushin Loose Change Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail rnie Hiking Trail Mount Fernie Hiking Trail Swine Fairy Creek tor Hiking Trail Fernie Valley Pathway Great Northern Trail occasin Head Mic Mac Trip Dem Bones Galloway Ben Emmet Purple Monkey Dishwasher Stumpy Wood Elk Valley Nordic Centre ELK RIVER Great Northern Trail JAMES WHITE PARK Mountview( The Airport) Historic Downtown Annex AQUATIC AQUATIC CENTRE CENTRE AQUATIC CENTRE Parkland Terrace Alpine Trails MOUNT PROCTOR 20km Loop from Visitor Centre MOUNT HOSMER HARTLEY LAKE ROAD Hosmer Mountain Trail DICKEN ROAD BRICKER’ S ROAD ANDERSON ROAD To Cranbrook COKATO ROAD HELI PAD BURMA ROAD MICROWAVE TOWERS SHUTTLE ROAD Dairy Run FAIRY CREEK FALLS( LOWER FALLS) To Sparwood and Alberta RIDGEMONT RD ELK RIVER P E RIFLE RANGE RIVER RD BRIDGE COAL CREEK ad 4 X 4 ROAD OLIVIA CRE EK ROAD MT PROCTOR SUMMIT HARTLEY LAKE ROAD POWERLINE P POWERLINE P 3 To Fernie Alpine Resort COKATO ROAD LIZARD CREEK West Fernie ELK CHAIR BER CHAIR DEER CHAIR ELK RIVER 48 Hours 3 Kings Al Matador Dirt Diggler Dopamine Trans Canada Trail 3 CASTLE MOUNTAIN PRIVATE ROADS MORRISSEY RIDGE Green Alligator The Cedars MT. FERNIE RD POWERLINE RD Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail New Roots Uprooted Hyper Ventilation EVT / TCT Uprooted Marlu Montane Blue Easy Beaver JoJo Ruby Luna Today’ s Special Split Decision Sidewinder Deadfall Down Trans Canada Trail More Cowbell More Cowbell Elk Valley Trail- Coal Disco very Trail TR3 HOSMER Trans Canada Trail- Fernie to Hosmer Trans Canada Trail- Hosmer to Sparwood B o ond a burra POWERLINEEasy Beaver Marlu P P P P Green Matador FERNIE RIDGE LIZARD CREEK BRIDGE MONTANE MONTANE PARKWAY CASTLE RD SLALOM DRIVE Tendonitis Montane Blue Sparling East Park Thomson Park Dogwood Park MOUNT FERNIE r Hiking Trail Mount Proctor Hiking Tra il RN ake) 4 X 4 ROAD P P Riverside Crown Lookout km 14.4 km 11.7 9.4 km 2.5 km 17 Easy Beaver Connector P RIVER ROAD- CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC RIVER ROAD- CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC COAL CREEK ROAD Canyon Canyon Trails Trails Canyon Trails P FAIRY CREEK RIDGEMONT RD P P P Upper Bear Chutes ST MARGARET’ S CEMETERY Kiddy Down Space Unicorn Up Cemetery Bypass Rainer’ s Way Kiddy Up Ridgemont Elk Valley Trail P Red Sonja Blue / Black Betty Bastard Phat Little Chainring Big Trouble DECOMMISSIONED LOGGING ROAD Castle Rocks M atheson Falls Trail Smooth Salamander Roots Resu rrection Coal Creek Heritage Trail South Blue Matador RIVER R OAD – CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC 4 CORNERS MATHESON CREEK ROAD SPUR 2 RIFLE RANGE ROAD FloReka FloReka To Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail FloReka Up Dog Up Dog Trail Dogs P SPUR 3 SPUR 1 6 More Days Dark Side Climb FERNIE Camping Hiking Trail Visitor Info Centre P Parking Hospital Viewpoint / Bench Picnic Table Waterfall Hut / Cabin Trail Route Nordic Road Trans Canada Trail Powerline / Back road Route or Doubletrack Wide or Paved Road Road Closed to Motorized Vehicles Fernie Ridge Land Parastone Land Doman Land Public Indoor Washroom Off-Leash Dog Park Porta Potty Outhouse Barn Gate- Road may be closed to motorized traffic Road Washed Out YOU ARE HERE Safety & Care for You & Nature This Coal Creek drainage area offers a multitude of trails and accesses into the front and backcountry. The red and green trails on the map are all non-motorized trails for hiking, walking, mountain biking and trail running. Some trails are available for horseback riding, please contact local riders or the Fernie Trails Alliance for more details. • PLEASE adhere to any and all signage. • The roads, if open, are available for motorized activities such as ATVs, dirt biking and adventure riding. • All these areas are on private land and must be respected to ensure the areas stay open for future use. For all trail details download and use the Trailforks App. 3 Steps to Wildlife Safety: Have Your Dog? • Dogs are allowed everywhere but must always be under control. If in City limits( white areas on map), dogs must be on leash. There are many people and users in this area please respect other users and put your dog on leash when needed. • If you encounter wildlife put your dog on leash immediately. • Please pick up after your dog. Welcome to Castle Mountain Trailhead The land in this area is privately owned. The landowner has granted access based on land use agreements with trail and recreation groups please adhere to signs at all times. Be in the know on everything Fernie. Lodging- Activities- Events- Dining- Nightlife TourismFernie. com | # ferniestoke / TourismFernie The Elk Valley is within the ʔamakʔis territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. Image Credits: Tourism Fernie, Vince Mo, Nick Nault, Tamara Elliot GPS Trail Map – View Local Trails, Find & Track Your Position on Your Mobile DOWNLOAD THE TRAILFORKS APP EMERGENCIES: CALL 9-1-1 This parking lot & trailhead location is Coal Creek Road and River Road Extension junction, Fernie, BC Multi-Use Trails Info Have an E-bike? Only Class 1 Allowed. All the non-motorized trails in Fernie allow Class 1 e-bikes. A Class 1 e-bike means a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling( pedal assist) and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 32 kilometres per hour and has a maximum continuous wattage output of 500 watts. PACK-IN PACK- OUT Keep the area and river clean for all users, wildlife and the environment. PARKING Please park respectfully and in a manner that doesn’ t restrict access to the road or picnic area. NO DUMPING P Site Etiquette DAY-USE ONLY Limit your time and river experience to daylight hours only. No overnight parking, camping or leaving trailers unhitched. PREVENT WILDFIRES No campfires, no smoking. If you see a wildfire report it immediately by calling 1-800-663-5555( or * 5555 on your mobile phone). Hiking Trail to the Ammonite Fossil Distance: 8km return(~ 1-2 hrs) Elevation Gain: 230m Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult How to hike to the Ammonite: From this parking lot cross the bridge over Coal Creek and turn left up the logging road just after the bridge. Follow this road approximately 3km, soon after the hairpin righthand turn on the road there will be a trail on your left side that will take you the last ~ 1km including the last section up the creek bed to the fossil. Note: the original trail to the ammonite( up a steep gully) is no longer accessible or maintained. About the Ammonite Fossil: The Fernie area is famous for its large ammonite fossils, particularly the“ Titanites accidentalis” fossil, which is the largest complete ammonite fossil found in Canada. This fossil was discovered in 1947 by a geological crew. Key points about the Fernie ammonite: Discovery: The fossil was discovered in 1947 during mapping of shale, siltstone, and sandstone seams in the Fernie Formation. Size: The fossil is a massive 1.4 meters( 4.6 feet) in diameter, making it the largest ammonite fossil found in Canada. Age: The fossil is estimated to be around 150 million years old. Location: The fossil is located on land owned by Doman. The trail and access to the ammonite is managed by the Fernie Trails Alliance. Attraction: The ammonite fossil is a well-known attraction in the Fernie area. Access: While the fossil is on private land and moderate to difficult to access, a replica is on display at the Fernie Visitor Centre at 102 Commerce Road. Ammonites in the area: Ammonites are common in the Jurassic Fernie Formation, and numerous specimens have been found throughout the area. PLAN AHEAD & BE PREPARED • Share your trip plan with family / friends. • Have water, snacks, quality footwear and clothes for the weather. TRAVEL & SAFETY ON TRAILS • Stick to designated trails to reduce impact on the land. • Call out along the trail every so often to let the wildlife know you are in the area They prefer to avoid you. DISPOSE OF GARBAGE / WASTE PROPERLY • Pack out any garbage and dispose in garbage / recycling bins in town. • There are no toilets along the trail, go before you head out on the trail. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND • Respect natural settings and leave plants, rocks and other objects as you find them. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS • Excessive noise, uncontrolled pets and litter take away from everyone’ s experience. RESPECT WILDLIFE • Observe wildlife from a distance so they are not stressed, forced to flee or provoked. Assume animals( including bears) are always present on any part of the trail, act accordingly. 1. BE RESPONSIBLE WITH FOOD TO KEEP THE AREA SAFE FOR FUTURE USERS. Avoid teaching wildlife that humans are a source of food. 2. AVOID A CONFLICT BY GIVING ANIMALS PLENTY OF SPACE TO THRIVE.( 100M +)- Attacks can happen when an animal feels you are challenging their territory or threatening them or their young.- Avoid surprise close encounters by letting animals know you are in the area.- Animals will often move off the trail if they know you are coming and you avoid prime locations.- If you have an encounter, move calmly and slowly to a safe distance.- Animals will often ignore you if you yield their territory to them. 3. IF YOU ARE CHARGED OR STALKED, DEFEND YOURSELF. Attacks are rare, but if stalked or attacked signal that you intend to defend yourself and do it! • Have bear spray on the ready. • Travel in groups- hostile encounters are less likely with large groups. Leave No Trace Canada NOTICE: This is a treasured piece of history. DO NOT touch or sit in the fossil area as it is slowly eroding, and we don’ t want to lose it! 1 km 500 m 0 View the Summer Trail Map here! BRIDGE WASHED OUT IN NOVEMBER 2021 FLOODING EVENT. NO VEHICLE ACCESS PAST THIS POINT. FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE TM Be in the know on everything Fernie. Lodging- Activities- Events- Dining- Nightlife TourismFernie. com | # ferniestoke / TourismFernie Welcome to Castle Mountain Trailhead The Elk Valley is within the ʔamakʔis territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. Image Credits: Tourism Fernie, Vince Mo, Nick Nault, Tamara Elliot Carpal Tunnel Carpal Tunnel Trans Canada Trail Roots Extension Suspension Bridge( Coming Soon)( Coming Soon) Coal Creek Heritage Loop Eric’ s Trail Roller Kid’ s Stuff Roxy Mad Cow Swine Flu Swine Climb Swine Flu More Cowbell Fernie Valley Pathway Mad Cow Y ' Ed dy MAIDEN LAKE( Gravel Road High Clearance Vehicles Only) Hy perextention Unicorn Space Big Money COAL CREEK Stove Creek Campground Coming Soon visit CoalCreekCampAndRV. ca Old Roots Snoop Lion Southern Comfort Queen V Eco-Terrorist Coal Creek Heritage Trail Old Stumpy Broken Derailleur Deadfall Kush R-Trail Oh Dear Kushier Kushiest Kushin Loose Change Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail Assassin Lactic Ridge S-Bomb S-Bomb Project 9 Stumpy Brokeback Brokeback Mount Fernie Hiking Trail Mount Fernie Hiking Trail Swine Fairy Creek Mount Proctor Hiking Trail Fernie Valley Pathway Great Northern Trail Moccasin Old Mt Fernie Trail Moc- Stupid Traverse Mushroom Head Mushroom Head Mic Mac Eric’ s Trip Dem Bones Stove Trail Hedonism Project 9 Gorby Verboten Lazy Lizard Connector Lazy Lizard Lazy Lizard Old Growth Hiking Trail Cabin Ridge HikingTrail Sherwoody Woody Galloway Ben Emmet Purple Monkey Dishwasher Stumpy Wood Elk Valley Nordic Centre Happy Gilmar Megahurtz Old Go at Black Forest N ew Goat Gorby Snake Bite ORCA BIG STEEP MOTHER ELK RIVER Great Northern Trail JAMES WHITE PARK Mountview( The Airport) Historic Downtown Annex FERNIE AQUATIC AQUATIC CENTRE CENTRE AQUATIC CENTRE Parkland Terrace Alpine Trails MOUNT PROCTOR 20km Loop from Visitor Centre THREE SISTERS MOUNT HOSMER HARTLEY LAKE ROAD Hosmer Mountain Trail DICKEN ROAD BRICKER’ S ROAD Rail Trail ANDERSON ROAD To Cranbrook COKATO ROAD HELI PAD BURMA ROAD ISLAND LAKE LODGE LIZARD LAKE POLAR PEAK MATHESON CREEK ROAD MICROWAVE TOWERS SHUTTLE ROAD Stupid Dairy Run FAIRY CREEK FALLS( LOWER FALLS) To Sparwood and Alberta RIDGEMONT RD ELK RIVER P POWERLINE RIFLE RANGE RIVER RD BRIDGE COAL CREEK Heiko’ s Hiking Trail Heiko’ s Hiking Trail Trailhead 4 X 4 ROAD OLIVIA CRE EK ROAD MT PROCTOR SUMMIT UPPER FALLS( Seasonal Only Late Spring- Mid-Summer) HARTLEY LAKE ROAD POWERLINE P POWERLINE Lake & Fir Trail Mt Baldy Loop Tamarack Hiking Trail Spineback To P OLD GROWTH PARKING LOT P Lizard Lake Hiking Trail CEDAR VALLEY RD POWERLINE THUNDER MEADOWS GORBY BRIDGE RED TREE ROAD HAULBACK T-BAR P View Trail( FAR) Heiko’ s Hiking Trail 3 To Fernie Alpine Resort COKATO ROAD LIZARD CREEK West Fernie BOOM CHAIR BEAR CHAIR ELK CHAIR TIMBER CHAIR WHITE PASS POLAR PEAK DEER CHAIR ELK RIVER 48 Hours 3 Kings Al Matador Dirt Diggler Dopamine Trans Canada Trail 3 CASTLE MOUNTAIN PRIVATE ROADS MORRISSEY RIDGE MT FERNIE MT FERNIE PROVINCIAL PROVINCIAL PARK PARK MT FERNIE PROVINCIAL PARK MOUNT FERNIE Green Alligator The Cedars MT. FERNIE RD POWERLINE RD Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail ISLAND LAKE LODGE Lizard Creek Trail New Roots Uprooted Hyper Ventilation EVT / TCT Uprooted Marlu Montane Blue Easy Beaver JoJo Ruby Luna Today’ s Special Split Decision Sidewinder Deadfall Down Trans Canada Trail More Cowbell More Cowbell Elk Valley Trail- Coal Disco very Trail TR3 HOSMER Trans Canada Trail- Fernie to Hosmer Trans Canada Trail- Hosmer to Sparwood B o ond a burra POWERLINEEasy Beaver Marlu P P P P P Green Matador FERNIE RIDGE LIZARD CREEK BRIDGE MONTANE MONTANE PARKWAY CASTLE RD SLALOM DRIVE Tendonitis Montane Blue Sparling East Park Thomson Park Dogwood Park MOUNT FERNIE Mount Proctor Hiking Trail Mount Proctor Hiking Tra il PROCTOR TARN( small alpine lake) 4 X 4 ROAD Three Sisters Summit Trail Three Sisters Hiking Trail BISARO CAVE P FERNIE ALPINE RESORT Heiko’ s Rocky Road Hiking Trail P Riverside Crown Lookout km 14.4 km 11.7 km 9.4 km 5.7 km 2.5 km 17 Easy Beaver Connector P RIVER ROAD- CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC RIVER ROAD- CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC COAL CREEK ROAD Canyon Canyon Trails Trails Canyon Trails P FAIRY CREEK RIDGEMONT RD P P P Upper Bear Chutes ST MARGARET’ S CEMETERY Kiddy Down Space Unicorn Up Cemetery Bypass Rainer’ s Way Kiddy Up Ridgemont Elk Valley Trail P Red Sonja Blue / Black Betty Bastard Phat Little Chainring Big Trouble DECOMMISSIONED LOGGING ROAD Castle Rocks M atheson Falls Trail Smooth Salamander Roots Resu rrection Coal Creek Heritage Trail South Blue Matador RIVER R OAD – CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC 4 CORNERS SPUR 2 RIFLE RANGE ROAD FloReka FloReka To Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail FloReka Up Dog Up Dog Trail Dogs P SPUR 3 SPUR 1 6 More Days Dark Side Climb Camping Hiking Trail Visitor Info Centre P Parking Hospital Viewpoint / Bench Picnic Table Waterfall Hut / Cabin Trail Route Nordic Road Trans Canada Trail Powerline / Back road Route or Doubletrack Wide or Paved Road Road Closed to Motorized Vehicles BC Provincial Park Island Lake Lodge Galloway Land Fernie Ridge Land Parastone Land Doman Land Public Indoor Washroom Off-Leash Dog Park No Dogs Allowed Porta Potty Outhouse Barn Gate- Road may be closed to motorized traffic Road Washed Out Wilderness Pit Toilet YOU ARE HERE Ktunaxa( pronounced‘ k-too-nah-ha’) people have occupied the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, adjacent to the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers and the Arrows Lakes of British Columbia for more than 10,000 years. The Ktunaxa traditional territory covers approximately 70,000 square kilometres( 27,000 sq miles) within the southeastern BC, and part of Alberta, Montana, Washington and Idaho. The Ktunaxa have lived on these lands since the time of Creation. This includes the area now recognized as Qukin ʔamakʔis( Land of the Raven – the broader Elk Valley area), Ȼaqahak( Fernie) and Wasaʔki( the western entrance to the Kutenai Trail along the Elk River). The Ktunaxa language is unique among Native linguistic groups in North America. The Ktunaxa origin story speaks of a time, before the people, when animals populated the world. At that time there was a disturbance caused by a huge water monster known as Yawuʔnik̓ who killed many of the animals. It was decided by the animals that Yawuʔnik̓ had to be destroyed. A war party was formed by the chief animal, Naⱡmuqȼin. Yawuʔnik̓ was quick to descend on the Kootenay( wu · u ʔaqsⱡmaknik ʔakinmituk) and Columbia( Miȼ̓qaqas) river system and the other animals gave chase. When Yawuʔnik̓ was killed, and butchered and distributed among the animals, Yawuʔnik̓’ s ribs were scattered throughout the region that now form the Hoodoos seen throughout the region. When the prophecy was fulfilled, the spirit animals ascended above and are now the guiding spirits of the Ktunaxa. In all the excitement Naⱡmuqȼin rose to his feet and stood upright hitting his head on the ceiling of the sky. He knocked himself dead. His feet went northward and is today known as Ya · kⱡiki, in the Yellowhead Pass vicinity. Naⱡmuqȼin’ s head is near Yellowstone Park in the State of Montana. His body forms the Rocky Mountains. Wasaʔki was known as the western entrance to the Kutenai Trail which parallels the Elk River to the junction with the ʔapakiⱡak( Wigwam) up to its union with Lodgepole Creek and ascends to Kak̓qaʔit Morrissey Creek. The trail followed Morrissey and crossed the ʔaqnisaⱡ( Flathead Range) to the North Kootenay Pass down Carbondale Creek to Castle River which led to the Oldman River into what is now Alberta. Another trail used only in the winter with snowshoe parties that switch-backed it way up Kak̓qaʔit( Morrissey Mountain) to the summit and over, which is called Middle Kootenay Pass today. ʔa · kⱡumak is the provided place name for Morrissey by the Ktunaxa due to the abundance of Cottonwood trees( ʔa · kⱡumak) and was an area known for berry picking. Scan QR code to listen to the Ktunaxa Creation Story. Qukin ʔamakʔis- Land of the Raven PACK-IN PACK-OUT Keep the area and river clean for all users, wildlife and the environment. PARKING Please park respectfully and in a manner that doesn’ t restrict access to the road or picnic area. DAY-USE ONLY Limit your time and river experience to daylight hours only. No overnight parking, camping or leaving trailers unhitched. PREVENT WILDFIRES No campfires, no smoking. If you see a wildfire report it immediately by calling 1-800- 663-5555( or * 5555 on your mobile phone). NO DUMPING Site Etiquette P Fernie Trails Most of Fernie’ s trails are multi-use unless marked otherwise. All trails are non-motorized. Mushroom Head Dem Bones Stove Trail Lazy Lizard Gorby Trail Megahurtz Old Goat Happy Gilmar Ben Emmet Sherwoody Purple Monkey Dishwasher Phat Bastard Black Betty Red Sonja Lactic Ridge Moc-Assassin Moccasin S-Bomb Brokeback Hedonism Eric’ s Trip / Mic Mac Project 9 Snake Bite Verboten Black Forest New Goat Mount Fernie Provincial Park Morrissey Ridge Blue Matador Al Matador Dirt Diggler Three Kings 48 Hrs Dopamine Difficulty( IMBA Ratings) Green: Easy. Most City of Fernie trails are easy and family-friendly. See fernie. ca for map. Blue: Intermediate, mostly consistent with technical aspects. Low grade but may contain short steeps. Black: Advanced, quite variable and technical with longer steeps. Double Black: Extremely advanced, highly variable, very technical and steep. Montane & Castle Easy Beaver Lower Uprooted Uprooted Roots Montane Marlu Tendonitis Snoop Lion Darkside Connector Carpal Tunnel Hyper Extension Resurrection Hyper Ventilation Castle Rocks South Castle Southern Comfort Today’ s Special 6 More Days Cemetery By-Pass Rainer’ s Way( aka What’ s Up Doc) Sidewinder Kiddy Up Queen V Eco Terrorist Broken Derailleur R-Trail Deadfall EVT / Coal Discovery Trail Big Trouble Little Chain Ring FloReka Up Dog Trail Dogs Fernie Ridge Mount Proctor Fairy Creek Falls( hiking only) Cow Far Side More Cowbell Y’ Eddy Swine Mt Proctor( hiking only) Kid’ s Stuff Upper Kid’ s Stuff Eric’ s Trail Roxy Roller Space Unicorn Split Decision Coal Creek Heritage Trail Kush / Kushier / Kushiest / Kushin Deadfall Downhill Oh Dear Contra Fernie Ridge Hiking Trail Big Money Bear Chutes Fernie Valley Pathway Great Northern Trail Coal Creek Heritage Trail In Town FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE( FTA) FTA builds, maintains and enhances trails through land use agreements with the Crown, BC Parks, Doman, City of Fernie, Island Lake Lodge and multiple other private land owners to ensure public access year-round. Use this QR code to purchase your Fernie Trails Pass and support the trails the FTA manages. COAL CREEK HERITAGE SOCIETY( CCHS) CCHS holds agreements to build, manage and maintain the trails on private land in Montane( light green shaded area owned by Parastone) and the area of trails in Fernie Ridge( light blue shaded area owned by Pollyco) for year-round public use. Please donate to help support these trails by using this QR code. Supporting Fernie’ s Summer Trail System With hundreds of trails to explore and summer trail use growing in popularity each year your support is essential. Most trails are maintained by volunteers through multiple trail organizations. Be sure to buy trail passes and / or donate to the various trail organizations to show your love and appreciation for all the hard work they do! The land in this area is privately owned. The landowner has granted access based on land use agreements with trail and recreation groups please adhere to signs at all times. 4 km 2 km 0 All Doman lands have active forestry work in 2025. Expect to see heavy equipment and please respect all road and trail closures. Due to the heavy rains and flooding event in November 2021 causing road damage, River Road is closed to vehicle access. Trails above River Road, such as Roots, Hyper, Resurrection, can be accessed via the Montane Trails or biking / hiking up EVT / TCT / River Road. Coal Creek Road was damaged during the November 2021 rains and flooding event. There is no vehicle access to Matheson Falls, the Microwave Towers, Dirt Diggler or Al Matador. Construction in progress on Galloway Lands, trail closures may be in effect. Please acknowledge any closure signs. Motorized Users Notice: These lands are privately owned. At this time, there are no Land Use Agreements permitting motorized vehicle access outside of winter snowmobiling activities. Use of roads by motorized vehicles is at your own risk. Please respect all closures, signage and non-motorized trails. See Other Side for Close-up Section of Coal Creek Trails & Road FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE TM 1898 1898 DID YOU NOTICE the black coal and grey, pumice-like coke on the trail surface so far? You’ re traveling on the abandoned Morrissey, Fernie and Michel( MF & M) Railway, built in winter 1897-98. It was a branch line between Coal Creek and Fernie, to the CPR mainline. Today it’ s part of a 30 km loop trail that invites adventure through this striking mountain valley. 2025 2025 Steam engines once chugged along the MF & M rail line, fueled by local coal. In 1946, diesel engines replaced them, ironically sealing the fate of the very mines that powered these trains. Coal Creek closed in 1958, 60 years of coal production because of the loss of coal contacts used for steam locomotives. ELK VALLEY NEPTUNE TERMINALS PORT OF VANCOUVER BC Coal Exports Through Time from the Elk Valley 1-2 tons Equivalent to filling 52 modern coal cars = AQUATIC CENTRE P P COAL CREEK RD RIVER RD FERNIE MONTANE TRAILHEAD approx. 1 km RIFLE RANGE OLD TOWNSITE NO VEHICLES PAST THIS POINT YOU ARE HERE COAL CREEK HERITAGE TRAIL 140 tonnes 152 modern coal cars $ 6 m gross = $ 30 m gross each day = 152 modern coal cars 152 modern coal cars 152 modern coal cars 152 modern coal cars 152 modern coal cars Diesel Engines Replace Steam engines in 1946 → Everyday, on average, 5 trains leave the Elk Valley to Vancouver for export. → 152 cars x 140 tonnes / car hauls 21,280 tonnes per train. → Average 2025 price for metallurgical coal is $ 278 CDN / tonne. → Each train is worth $ 6 million x 5 trains per day = $ 30 million gross per day. Over several months in 1897-1898, the Crow’ s Nest Pass Coal Company( CNPCC) mined, hauled in wagons and stockpiled 7256 tonnes awaiting the CPR’ s arrival to Fernie, worth the equivalent of $ 2 million( in 2025 dollars) The MF & M was our lifeline to the outside world. It hauled millions of tons of coal over the years on the first leg of a journey to distant ports. The train transported miners who lived in Fernie to the mines at Coal Creek. It took us to Fernie to see parades and concerts, to do our shopping, and at Christmas time, there was that special trip to visit Toyland at the Trites-Wood’ s store.- Grace Dvorack, Coal Creek Resident, 1920-1939 A RIBBON of RAIL Tied FERNIE to COAL CREEK Today’ s Fernie City Hall was once the head office of the Crow’ s Nest Pass Coal Company( CNPCC). William Fernie, one of the company founders, gave the town its name- a constant reminder of the community’ s roots in coal and industry. 25.5 million tonnes exported from Elk Valley in 2024 worth $ 7.8 billion. 1907 Crowsnest Pass Coal Co. in their annual report produced 875,890 tonnes, worth $ 266 million or 3.4 % of todays valued export. How did Fernie get its name? Ka-ching, when you hear that whistle blow! FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE New signage content for the Castle Mountain Trailhead. A first draft of one of 16 new signs being designed at the time of this report, they will be placed along the new trail in 2026 once completed. The existing older signage along the Coal Creek Heritage Trail will be re-purposed within the new Coal Creek Campground & RV opening spring 2026.