Fromme Construction

What's Going On?

Words by Cam McRae. Photos by Cam McRae.
Date: 2008-12-10

I must confess there are times when I think of Fromme as my own little fiefdom.  I'm happy to share it with other riders and users who treat the mountain with respect, but when I see big machines and large scale projects happening I get a little put out.  That has been the case recently with dump trucks, excavators and even a little Bobcat moving earth and rock around.  Who are these people, what are they doing and why wasn't I consulted?  Why are they doing so much work on the road?  View lots above the 7th switchback you say? A shopping mall at the 6th?  At times like these I can be a bit melodramatic.


 This is what the fire road looked like last year.  Hard packed and a little bumpy but just right for a pedal to the top.

Every year the fire road that allows us to pedal up to various Fromme trailheads gets some much needed attention. In case you haven't ridden up Fromme, it's as though the road was designed with mountain bikes in mind.  The grade is consistent and not too steep and no unauthorized vehicles make it past the second gate by the water towers.  You might see the occasional hiker but generally it's a long gentle meandering of mountain bikes. You'll see everything from dh race machines to dirt jump hardtails - and even the occasional hybrid.  The fire road is one of the elements that makes the North Shore a mountain biker's paradise.


 And why wasn't I consulted on this?  Like many riders I feel extremely protective of Mount Fromme.

Last year's storms caused washouts and some severe damage so it was no surprise when those sections were repaired.  In recent months however you've almost had to wonder if they are preparing to pave our much-loved fire road. Switchbacks have been widened, the grade has been made even more consistent and while I'm sure it will firm up it's been turned into a soggy tire-sucking mess for the short term.  Late last week it seemed like the sticky road sucked as much power as gravity.


 Mind if I squeeze by?

At a meeting earlier on Tuesday I asked Parks Section Manager Susan Rogers what exactly is going on.  She told me that Grouse Mountain has received District approval for a 65-metre wind turbine in a bid to move towards power self-sufficiency.  Expected to provide up to 25% of the resort's power needs, the turbine's components will need to be driven to the top on what we like to think of as 'our' road. The Turbine is set to be operational by 2010 and despite concerns about the visual appeal and the threat to bats (apparently the sudden drop in air pressure the fans create causes them to hemorage internally!) North Van District Council gave the project a thumbs up.


 This is what the Turbine will look like - if you happen to be in a helicopter looking north east.

Last year's storms caused a huge washout at the 3rd switchback that made Cedar Trail, the route back to the fire road from Kirkford, virtually impassable.  The District recently installed a new $8000 bridge and last week they turned Cedar Trail into a gravel double track using a small excavator and a bobcat. 


 Cedar trail is now a smooth gravel road.

This isn't a spot I normally see hikers so I'm not sure why this was done and Susan Rogers couldn't tell us the justification.  It was a nice natural looking trail before and while I guess there is some utility to having vehicle access there, it irks me when trails are santized to that degree. This was likely an expensive project as well.


 The new $8000 bridge that crosses the washout from the storms of 07.

At the meeting with Susan Rogers we discussed the new kiosk at the intersection of Dempsey and Braemar, a popular starting point for riders who aren't afraid of climbing a little singletrack (unlike Pete and Eamonn - my whiny ride mates from Sunday).  The Kiosk has a map that has some glaring omissions (what happened to Pink Starfish and the Griffen Switchbacks?) and some trail classification errors that needed to be rectified.  Among other issues Seventh Secret was listed as a moderate trail - which can be ridden on a hybrid bike.  Using the North Shore as a baseline Seventh could be called a blue square but anyone riding a hybrid on the Shore should stay the hell away from Seventh. A skilled rider could get down the trail on a cross bike - an exceptional rider perhaps - but to suggest a hybrid is the right tool for the job is like saying a Cervelo is perfect for A Line.  The District was very receptive to our suggestions and the maps will be tweaked to steer visiting riders in the right direction.


 After passing all the trucks and equipment our arrival at the Seventh Secret trailhead was even sweeter than usual.  Unlike Sunday there was no whining from these two last Friday.

On Sunday the big machines were working just below the entrance to Ladies Only so it may take them a little while yet to get above the 7th corner, the last place to stop if you plan on riding down a mountain bike trail.  So keep an eye out and be friendly and courteous to the operators.  They were very accommodating to us when we needed to get by.  Nice of them to be so respectful on my mountain.


  How about a little sunshine on the ride home?  We've scored some great riding days this fall.

Have you been up Fromme recently?  Seen the Kiosk and the buffed Cedar Trail? What's your take?