Ancient old growth forest on Eagle Mountain, north of Port Moody B.C., threatened by logging. Photo: Johnnie Murray
PROPOSED:EAGLE MOUNTAIN POCKET WILDERNESS
Description
Eagle Mountain Plateau and ridge is situated on the height of land between Indian Arm and Coquitlam Lake. After being told by Maple Ridge Forest District in 1983 that the area would never be logged because it was economically inaccessible, Halvor Lunden of the North Shore Hikers single handedly built a first class hiking trail into this pristine mountain wilderness.
It soon became a popular year-round hiking and cross-country ski area, but last year hikers were amazed to discover the all-too-familiar flagging tape marking a clear-cut boundary, and the spray paint of timber cruisers defacing the ancient old growth forest. Without warning, and with no consultation with the hikers using the area, this highelevation forest with marginal timber.
Long time trail builder Halvor Lunden, reactivating his trail through recent clearcut. Photo: Joe Foy
Sixty year tree blaze beside historic aquaduct on Eagle mountain. Photo: Earl Chambers
values is now scheduled to be logged under the Forestry Small Business Program, in which the government (i.e. public taxpayers) pays for the logging road construction.
Although Eagle Mountain was originally slated to be logged in 1987, the Pocket Wilderness Coalition requested and obtained a two year deferral of logging. This reprieve provides time to build public awareness of this important area and lobby for its preservation.
Unique features of Eagle Mountain include a relic aqueduct from the 1920 s shake block heyday, a popular well marked hiking trail leading through ancient old growth forest and past spectacular viewpoints over the Lower Mainland, and a forested hillside over-looking a scenic subalpine plateau dotted with lakes.
Access
Drive to Ioco on the north side of Burrard Inlet north of Port Moody, and follow the signs to the Buntzen Lake B.C. Hydro Recreation Area. Park here, and find the hiking trail that leads east into the woods at the gate at the south east corner of the parking area (where the main road into the area veers left into the parking lots). Follow the markers and signs 6km up the trail to the Eagle Mountain Pocket Wilderness.
Topogaphic Map Reference 1:50,000 scale 92G/7 Port Coquitlam
