Residents who enjoy using the rail trail received some disappointing news early in the new year.
An email from the Nakusp and Area Trails Society, shared on the Nakusp Communicator Facebook page, notified villagers that “someone drove a large machine down the rail trail from near the new parking on lot on Hwy to the golf course where it appeared to cross the highway. On its route it pushed aside the boulders on the trail which were placed there to prevent only road vehicles from entering. All other recreational vehicles — ATV, motorbikes, snowmobiles are welcomed on the trail.”
Jerry Van Immerzeel grooms the trail for the society.
He saw firsthand where the tracks had been, noticing they were different from the tracks made from the groomer he uses.
“They were of a small-sized excavator,” he said. “It went down the rail trail and exited at the golf course. It could have gone across the road, but it would be just speculation on my part.”
Whoever was in the excavator removed four sets of boulders designed to keep the trail as a shared trail between walkers and ATVs, snow mobiles, and side-by-sides.
The width of the trail is restricted to prevent motor vehicles from accessing it.
Van Immerzeel said it’s disheartening for users to see a car or truck coming down the trail when it shouldn’t be.
Mayor Karen Hamling agrees.
“It’s just disappointing that people will do that,” she said. “There are a lot of good volunteers out there that put a lot of time into stuff.”