By Laura Keil
Locals hoping to do a quick hike to Kinney Lake will need a day-pass this summer, as the government continues its day-pass program for five popular B.C. parks.
From June 23 until Oct. 22, day-use passes will be required for visitors to the Berg Lake Trail at Mount Robson, the Backside Trail at Stawamus Chief Park and the Diamond Head, Rubble Creek and Cheakamus trailheads at Garibaldi park, Joffre Lakes and Golden Ears.
The free passes can be reserved online starting at 7am the day before visiting. One vehicle pass is valid for a vehicle of up to 8 people. Passes are good for either a morning visit or afternoon visit (park entry prior to 1pm or after 1pm).
The Province says the passes are an effort to reduce crowding on popular trails, and have the side benefit of reducing trail damage by heavy traffic such as trail widening, soil erosion, altered hydrology, damaged vegetation and increased garbage from people littering.
According to the province, day use in B.C. parks has gone up by 34 per cent since 2011. During COVID restrictions, many people have sought the refuge of the outdoor spaces, bumping up numbers even more.
Day-pass reservations for B.C. residents opened June 22, 2021. Passes for out-of-province users will be available starting July 8th, 2021.
Day-use pass not required for overnight campers including frontcountry campers in Mt Robson Park. A valid Berg Lake
Trail or Mount Robson campground reservation is required and the permit must be carried at all times.
To book a free pass go to bcparks.ca/reserve/day-use/
