Ray Peters Trail
A Peaceful Escape from Highway 99: Ray Peters is one of the most popular trails in Squamish
One of the most popular trails in Squamish, the Ray Peters trail is great for all ages and users. My favourite experiences are the aroma of mature evergreens and the views of surrounding mountains.
This gently sloping area is the remains of a very large piece of the dormant volcano on Mt. Garibaldi that blew off and slid 10 kilometres down eons ago. Now part of the Cheekye Fan, it is a rambling expanse of pleasant woods and some old pavement from a defunct trailer-court of the 1960s. The area is a peaceful one away from Highway 99.
The most convenient access point is just across Ross Road from the lower parking lot at Don Ross Secondary School, because this gives assured parking.
The trailheads near Highway 99 have limited parking space. This trail has provided the running section for the Squamish Triathlon in the past.
Sixteen other trails crisscross the area inside the Ray Peters loop. Getting lost is easy once off the main trail, but staying lost is not possible since all these interior trails eventually pop out onto the main trail. Remember to stay outside of the community cemetery on the west side of the loop.
At the junction of two interior trails about 0.3 km east of the cemetery is a memorial post . This honours Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot Officer John A Quick, who gave his life overseas on Aug. 6, 1943, during the Second World War. This post marks the centre of a re-forested area where he helped to plant about 20,000 trees before joining the air force in 1941. This was one of the first re-forestation projects in Canada and is known as the Quick Memorial Forest, a project of the Squamish Legion.
Says Anne (Peters) Carney; “I often hear people comment that they think of him almost daily as they walk, run or bike on one of the many trails he helped build and maintain.”
Commenting last week, she also praised the Squamish Trails Society.
I’m sure he is ‘out there,’ still building trails and pleased with the time and effort… the committee members and trail builders put into the trail system, keeping his spirit and the outdoor recreation spirit alive and well in this town.
RAY PETERS TRAIL
Trailhead: There are lots of places to start this trail as it loops around the entire Cheekye Fan. A good spot is in the Don Ross High School parking lot. then simply cross Ross Road and you’re on the trail.
Use: Wide single track, gravel most of the way. Open to walkers, runners and bikes.
Difficulty: Easy green. Long gentle climb along highway.
Distance: 7.2 km
