The Churn Creek area of the Cariboo Chilcotin is the latest community in the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to develop a wheelchair accessible wilderness trail.
It’s called the Churn Creek Gateway Low Mobility Trail and was built in partnership between the Cariboo Regional District (CRD); the Friends of Churn Creek Protected Area Society; the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development through the BC Community Recreation Program; Northern Development Initiative Trust; and the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. The Churn Creek Gateway Low Mobility Trail is located within the Churn Creek Protected Area where the Fraser River and Churn Creek meet.
Approximately 450 metres long and featuring a packed, crushed gravel surface, the accessible interpretive wilderness trail loop offers unique geographical features and connections to the human history of the area.
“I am extremely pleased that we have now completed the Churn Creek Low Mobility Trail,” stated CRD Chair and Electoral Area G Director, Al Richmond. “This is the next step in making the Cariboo Chilcotin one of the most attractive wheelchair accessible tourism destinations in the world.”
The trail has a very gentle grade as well as an accessible outhouse, an accessible picnic table, two benches and a kiosk at the trailhead with information about the trail and the local area. The kiosk design reflects a Secwepem’c pithouse, complete with entrance ladder through the roof. There is ample parking available for visitors.
The Churn Creek Gateway Low Mobility Trail is located approximately 60 km southeast of Williams Lake and the drive takes about 2.5 hours. From Williams Lake, visitors should travel on Highway 20 approximately 3 km and then turn left onto Dog Creek Road. Continue on this road until Dog Creek Valley and then follow signs for Gang Ranch, which will take visitors across the Fraser River Bridge. At the next intersection, take the left turn onto Empire Valley Road.
On-going management of the site is provided by the Friends of Churn Creek Protected Area Society. For more information, visit friendsofchurn.ca.