Trail Maintenance

Trail Watch Program

This program allows small groups of volunteers (2-6 people) to hike one of Garibaldi Park’s many trails along with a Team Captain. Along the way, the Trail Watch groups will do small maintenance projects such as cutting brush or clearing blocked culverts. They will monitor trail conditions to alert BC Parks to major maintenance issues or damage.

The Trail Maintenance Committee is currently working with BC Parks on a Partnership Agreement that allows Friends of Garibaldi Park Society (FOGPS) to assist rangers with maintaining trails in Garibaldi Provincial Park while also ensuring hiker safety and preserving nature. We plan to offer volunteer hikers two options for ongoing participation: Trail Watch Program and Large Projects with BC Parks.

Large Projects with BC Parks

For these projects, a bigger group of FOGPS Team Captains and volunteers (COVDI-19 restrictions permitting) will join BC Parks on large trail maintenance projects that will involve more intensive trail maintenance such as constructing boardwalks or stairs or repairing eroded sections of trails. These may be day trips or overnight trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers

Do I have to have trail maintenance experience?

No. This opportunity is open to all levels and either a Trail Watch Team Captain or BC Parks staff will provide instruction. However, we hope to match personal hiking level with the difficulty of a hike for safety reasons.

When will the Trail Watch program run?

Trail Watch hikes will occur from late May until the end of September.

Will there be Trail Watch hikes on weekdays as well as weekends?

Yes, we hope to be able to offer both.

How can I help with trail maintenance?

Please fill out the volunteer form.

What is the time commitment like?

Trail Watch hikes and Large Projects with BC Parks will last 4-10 hours and may include an overnight stay. Since our groups must stay together for safety, we ask that you commit to a full day’s work (or the duration of an overnight trip if applicable). You can volunteer as many times per season as you like.

What about COVID?

We plan to respect and follow all the BC Health Authorities COVID restrictions and guidelines. This may mean that larger trail maintenance events cannot take place. We plan to run our Trail Watch hikes as they involve small groups of 2 to 6 people who can physically distance on the trail.

Can I get a lift from someone to the trail?

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions at this time, we are not planning on offering rideshares.

Are the trailheads accessible by transit?

Unfortunately, the majority of the trailheads are NOT accessible by public transit.

Do I have to register through BC Parks for a day pass if I want to volunteer?

BC Parks has not confirmed if day passes will be required for summer 2021. However, BC Parks assures us that registered FOGPS volunteers will not need to use day passes if the day pass system is in place.

Do I have to bring my own tools?

Although not required, Yes, if you have small tools that would be great. There needs to be enough on each hike for everyone to participate, this will have to be arranged with your Team Captain ahead of time. We are looking for small hand saws, small shovels/trowels, and garbage bags.

Can I bring and use my own chainsaw or other power tools?

Unfortunately, NO. Our insurance and regulations in our partnership with BC Parks do not allow Team Captains or volunteers to use chainsaws or power tools at this time as part of our programs.

Can I bring my dog or pet?

No. Unfortunately, dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

How do I sign up for a specific trial or a specific day?

After you fill out the volunteer form, you’ll be signed up for Trail Maintenance email callouts. Our Trail Watch Team Captains will send out emails announcing each upcoming Trail Watch Event or Large BC Parks Project. Reply to the email to sign up.

COVID Frequently Asked Questions

FOGPS will be monitoring the COVID restrictions and guidelines closely and intend to follow all health authority guidelines. Specific guidelines will be released closer to the beginning of the trail watch program. We hope to update the website if there are major changes in restrictions that impact the running of trail maintenance hikes and trips.

Can I get a lift from someone to the trail?

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions at this time, we are not planning on offering ride shares and ask that Trail Captains and volunteers respect the COVID guidelines and not rideshare with those outside your bubble.

What about social distancing?

We are aiming to keep the Trail Watch Teams and Trips to groups that are small enough where social distancing on the trail is still possible. Trail Watch Teams will be around 2-6 people. We ask that those on trips do keep 6 feet apart while on hikes and in parking lot areas. When COVID restrictions are released we will be able to have larger groups go on hikes.

Do I have to wear a mask?

While we are keeping the groups sizing small enough to maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart on the trail, when someone enters a trail issue that requires people to be closer we are asking those involved to wear a mask.

Do I have to fill out a COVID questionnaire?

Yes. We will have the basic set of COVID questions that will be asked of each volunteer for the day of their hike.

Trail Watch Program