Community
Forest is a recreation destination
located east of the community of Cranbrook in the East Kootenays
of British Columbia, Canada. The park consists of lookout points,
lakes, grasslands and forests of pine, fir and larch trees.
All connected by a series of trails and old gravel access roads.
The Cranbrook Community Forest covers a large
swath of land covering over 2000 hectares. The trail system
exploring the various eco systems in the park are enjoyed by
hikers, mountain bikers, joggers and walkers in the summer.
During the winter the trails become cross country ski routes.
Some recreation trails range from a few hundred
feet in length while others are up to 10 kilometres long. Most
trails are level and are considered easy routes but that is
not to say there are not hill climbing routes. The trails are
well signed and some follow colored tree markers. Along the
trails are various picnic tables, interpretive signs, viewing
benches and pit toilets.
Some of the trails in the park lead to viewpoints.
The "Viewpoint Trail" leads uphill to a scenic lookout
called Windy Bluff which provides views of Four Lakes and includes
a picnic site. In the northern section of the Community Forest
is the Eager Hills Lookout which is another popular scenic viewpoint.
Some of the scenic views in the Cranbrook Community
Forest are found while exploring along the trails. Call it an
adventure with a view. There are scenic views enjoyed from the
"Trail on Ridge", "Upper Coaster Trail"
and the "Big Tree Trail". In total there are said
to be over 17 adventure routes in the Community Forest.
Highway #3/95 dissects the park creating a
north and south section. Following Highway #3/95 is a popular
hiking and mountain biking trail route called the Isador
Canyon Trail. The Isador Canyon Trail connects to the TCT
(Trans Canada Trail) which also explores through the park. There
is also another access road that enters into the Community Forest
named the Sylvan Lake Road.
Within the boundaries of the Cranbrook Community
Forest there are three lakes. The lakes are popular gathering
points in the forest park. The lakes include the Sylvan, Four
and Kettle Lakes. The lakes are good locations for birdwatching
and picnicking.
How to Get to the Cranbrook
Community Forest:
Travel to the community of Cranbrook BC. Because
of the massive size of the green space park and the close proximity
to the community there are many parking lot access points to
the trails. Some of the main parking lots are located on Mount
Baker Road, at the north end of Cranbrook Street and 30th Ave
N, at the Highway Overpass and the BCFS Fire Base and at the
end of 2nd Street pass the golf course. |