I’ll admit it: I’ve tiptoed past a “trail closed” sign before. Not proud of it — but I know I’m not alone. In Valleycliffe’s Facebook group, folks joke (half-joking?) about how their kids “just walk past the signs” on closed trails when no one’s there.
But that casual disregard has real costs. When we treat closure signs like suggestions, we jeopardize safety, maintenance, and long-term trust between users and trail stewards.
Why trail closures exist
Trails get closed for reasons we all understand — erosion, tree blowdowns, wildfire risk, infrastructure repair. In Garibaldi Park, for example, Rubble Creek will be closed October 14–31 so crews can rebuild a damaged bridge after weather damage. Squamish Reporter
Closer to home, in Squamish, emergency trail closures due to windstorms happen when Public Works crews report debris or tree fall risk. District of Squamish
And in wildfire seasons, certain sections like “Rigs In Zen” and “Wonderland” are still under closure orders to prevent public risk. Squamish Chief
When people push past closures, they not only risk their own safety — falling logs, unstable terrain, or surprise wildfires — but they complicate work for crews doing repairs, or force closures to stay longer. In one documented case, people barging into trails closed during the Dryden Creek wildfire forced BC Wildfire crews to redirect resources. News.iAsk.ca
Trail etiquette is real — and local
Trails BC offers a “Code of Ethics” reminding us that trails connect us, but they also require care and respect. Respect closures, travel at speeds that allow safe stops, and yield to other users. Trails BC
In BC more broadly, rules under the Forest Recreation Regulation require that public recreation use trails responsibly. Government of British Columbia+1
Here in Squamish, local groups like SORCA publish trail reports and maintenance updates — these are your first line of truth when deciding which trails to use today. Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association
What we can do better
- Real-time trail ops dashboard: A Squamish-wide map with live open/closed status (linked to Trailforks, SORCA, or the District).
- QR signage in the field: Trailhead signs with a QR code to the latest status — no guessing.
- Community “closure watchers”: Local volunteers or trail stewards to help monitor, report, and communicate back to residents.
- Grace period for closures: Allow for brief “open windows” after hazards are cleared, with warnings.
- Stronger education: Regular stories in the Chief about why closures matter, with before/after photos to show the damage we prevent by obeying.
Closure signs aren’t there to spite us. They’re the buffer between a trail’s health and its collapse. If we want trails that last, we need to decide that every closure — even the ones nobody guards — deserves respect.
