Bannock Site Improvements
As a very popular remote local destination, the spectacular Bannock Point received a lot of yearly traffic & use. In 2009, SIFCo invested $27,500 in improvements to the site. From building new outhouses, to creating designated campsites, and developing safe and low impact parking areas, a total of 7 people worked to make Bannock a safer and more attractive destination.
In October of 2009 SIFCo:
- Built two new outhouses
- Created designated campsites
- Created a new parking area
- Improved three water crossings
- Clearly identified and marked two main trails to the lake shore
- Removed slash piles
- Built two new information kiosks
- Reduced the potential of wildfires starting within the recreation site
Bannock Point Recreation Site is located 3km south of Silverton, in the Slocan Valley. As a result of the deterioration of the Bannock Point Recreation site and the dangerous campfire practices of users over the years, a committee of local residents was formed consisting of members of the Red Mountain Residents Association (RMRA) and members of the Slocan Lake Stewardship Society (SLSS). The committee invited input from the public and a list of potential improvement was made that complimented the goals of B.C. Tourism and B.C. Forestry’s compliance and Enforcement.
Improvement Details
A new large parking area was created at the beginning of the site and an information kiosk was built at the parking lot. Big boulders were move to block access to motorize vehicles beyond the parking lot. A new outhouse was built near the parking lot. Ten designated campsite were established each with a level area for tent location and a fire ring. Each campsite was also clearly marked with 4×4 sign-post. Two trails were clearly marked, GPS and mapped. An additional trail leading to a viewpoint was also clearly marked, GPS and mapped with “caution signs” posted at two location along the trail. A day use area was established, with a new information kiosk built. Three rock rings for fires were built in the day-use area, one for each of the picnic tables. A second outhouse was also built near the north beach. All slash piles were burned, danger trees close to trails and campsites were felled and bucked. The section of the south trail that was heavily impacted by the September storm was fully interface, meaning that all trees less then 6 inched in diameter were felled and burnt. Two small bridges were built and one water-bar was also built.
