Category: Trails

Trails

Mt. Begbie Campsite Update

ACC Columbia Mountains Section

August 2026

Thanks to the hard work of Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) volunteers, the Mt. Begbie campsite has received a major upgrade, making it more comfortable and functional for future visitors to this spectacular alpine destination.

The project began in 2021, when the ACC funded a campsite plan developed for the Columbia Mountain Section (CMS) and submitted to Recreation Sites and Trails BC. Following the plan’s approval, the ACC secured funding and began construction. The first phase was completed in August 2025 with the installation of the outhouse and greywater pit.

This summer, a dedicated team of CMS volunteers returned to complete the next phase. Over three days in August, the crew installed 10 tent platforms, a cooking platform, a food locker on a concrete pad, a footbridge connecting the campground’s cooking and sleeping areas, and a footpath between the two areas. They also made improvements to the outhouse’s men’s urinal.

Getting materials and people to this remote alpine site was an undertaking in itself! Glacier Helicopters transported 12 loads of construction materials to the campsite, followed by the construction crew. Local sourcing helped make the project possible, with Revelstoke Home Hardware generously providing discounts on most materials. The Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club also kindly provided its southern parking lot as a staging area for helicopter operations.

In 2025, a remarkable 422 volunteer hours and 399 volunteer hours were contributed in 2026, reflecting the dedication and teamwork required to bring this campsite upgrade to life.

A little finishing work remains, including installing campground signage and flying out the outhouse barrels for servicing. Once these final tasks are complete, the upgraded campsite will be ready to better serve those exploring Mt. Begbie.

A huge thank-you goes to the CMS volunteers who made this project happen: Arne Moore, Perry Greenwood, Stan Smith, Ann Nicholson, Andrew Pawelek, Eric Dafoe, Trent Kapler, Ben Wilke, Uri Naprstek and Bill Beard. We’re also grateful to Paula Martens and Kelsey Knoll of Recreation Sites and Trails BC for their on-site reviews, equipment donations and moral support.

Thank you to everyone who contributed time, skills, equipment, funding and support to this project.

Trails

Partnership agreement for the Mt. Begbie and McCrae trails

ACC Columbia Mountains Section

In December, after the province announced a 5 year freeze on commercial recreation development on upper Mt. Begbie, the ACC signed a partnership agreement with Recreation Site and Trails B.C. for the Mt. Begbie and McCrae trails. We have already received $30,000 in funding and grants for this project and our first step will be maintenance on the Mt. Begbie campsite and trails come spring.

You can read more in this Revelstoke Mountaineer article with our section Co-Founder Ben Wilkey.

From forgotten to overcrowded: The past and future of Mount Begbie

Trails

For all ski tourers heading to Mount Mcpherson this winter

ACC Columbia Mountains Section

The Alpine Club of Canada – Columbia Mountains Section, the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club (RNSC), Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RST BC), and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have collaborated to develop strategies aimed at preventing the parking lot from overflowing at Mt. Macpherson Recreation Site this winter. The primary goal is to provide safe access to Mt. Macpherson for the coming season. Please consider the following recommendations to ensure an enjoyable outdoor recreation experience.

  • RNSC is working on installing a web cam that takes photos of the parking area at a set time interval. Standby for a link to check the status of the parking lot before driving out.
  • Please try to coordinate vehicle travel with other members of the same household.
  • The City of Revelstoke shuttle bus will be providing service to the Mt. Macpherson parking lot on Saturdays and Sundays.https://everythingrevelstoke.com/transport/resort-express/ (when COVID guidelines allow)
  • Please park efficiently as possible. 2 meter spacing between vehicles is not necessary, however please make sure to maintain a 2 meter distance between other people in the parking lot.
  • Please avoid unnecessary delays in the parking area as a courtesy to others looking for a parking spot.
  • Users who plan to use the area for extended length of time, whether alpine touring, nordic skiing or snowshoeing, are encouraged to park in the further away areas of the parking lot as a courtesy to others. (seniors and families)
  • Saturday mornings are the busiest time in the parking lot. Please consider visiting during less busy times on weekdays outside the noon hour time window, before 9am on any day of the week, or during the evenings on any day of the week. Other busy times may happen during the day on weekends, over the holidays and during any special events (currently on hold due to Covid).
  • The trail fee for Mt. Macpherson Nordic Trails is set by RST BC at $12.00/day/person, to offset the cost to the RNSC to plow the parking lot and maintain the groomed trail network. The RNSC is authorized to collect this fee on behalf of the Province. Recognizing that alpine touring use is limited to the parking lot and Fingers access route, the RNSC voluntary offers the daily trail fee for alpine touring and snowshoe use at a discounted rate of $6.00/day/vehicle or an annual pass for $25.00/vehicle. This is a great deal!
  • Please do not park on the highway or Clough Road if the parking lot is full. This impedes snow removal for the highway crews. Sec 188 of the Motor Vehicle Act (https://www.bclaws.ca/…/complete/statreg/96318_00_multi…) means no parking on Hwy 23S or in the area at the top of Clough Rd. Crossing the highway to access Mt. Macpherson presents a safety risk to recreation users.
  • When on the trails please be respectful of the nordic users. Remember that we are all ambassadors of our sport. Stay outside the wands at all times up and down the trails. Do not skin up lined abreast blocking the trails for nordic users. When skiing down please control your speed. 
  • Dogs are permitted if you have them leashed on the Main Loop (ascending AND descending). Dogs may be off-leash on Mountain Climb and beyond. Any dog poop must be removed from the trail, preferably with the provided trowels. The Parking Lot and Stadium Area is a MANDATORY ON LEASH area for all dogs at all times.
  • RNSC & ACC-CMS are requesting volunteers to help with managing parking areas during anticipated busy times, over the holidays and on Saturdays. Thank you in particular to ACC for offering to support, as recognizing the work involved to maintain alpine access is an important leadership message to the alpine touring community. If you are interested in helping please contact Bridget at RNSC bdaughney@revelstokenordic.org