Powell River’s backcountry winter recreation scene is becoming more accessible thanks to the work of Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association and a stable of dedicated volunteers. The latest accomplishment is the construction of a cabin in the Sentinel Ridge region of the Knuckleheads backcountry.
The subalpine area, part of a provincial working forest, falls within the Coastal Snowbelt at elevations of 5,300 to 5,500 feet, making it ideal for skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. This is the third cabin the association has constructed, and the highest elevation, offering stunning views of surrounding mountain peaks.
From first visualization to finished product took years of concerted effort. The Knuckleheads non-profit society was originally formed by Jeff Mah and other local winter recreation enthusiasts in 1998. In recent years it has been reinvigorated by new membership, according to vice president Roger Artigues. The first hurdle for the new cabin was finding funds.
“The first couple of years we weren’t successful,” said Artigues. “Ron Diprose was instrumental in securing the funding from [Powell River] Community Forest.”
In the years leading up to the actual construction, volunteersAl Parsons and Bob Baxter spent thousands of hours rehabbing old logging roads to make them passable, added Artigues.
“Al and Bob did all kinds of work for probably two years before the skiers got involved,” said Artigues. “They were essential in getting the road and trail built much at their own expense.”
They built a winter ATV trail to access the Sentinel area, however, the cabin is purposely hike-in only to keep it from being vandalized, an issue with the other structures, according to Artigues.
“We’ve been lucky the last few years; we haven’t had anyone messing with A Branch, but it goes in waves,” he said.
Diprose brought Sunshine Coast Trail hut builder Jim Stutt on board for the project.
“He was a big part of the design of this cabin,” said Knuckleheads president Joel Nordman. “Once we had the design we started doing a pre-build in May at Jim’s house. We pre-built the walls and floor and had them all stored at Alan Parson’s place and then our first construction started in August.”
Two weeks before construction began a road was brushed in order to bring in big vehicles on a smaller forestry road.
“Western Forest Products was doing some work in the area and were able to provide the brushing for us, which was a great help,” said Nordman.
Then it was time for crews and materials to be flown into the build site by helicopter.
“It took the entire day for all the construction material to be flown in,” said Nordman. “They were still flying it in at close to eight or nine at night. We have Oceanview Helicopters to thank for that.”
When the volunteers arrived, Stutt had work for them to do upon landing, said Nordman.
“There was a huge amount done those first four days; it was really well executed,” he added.
The day the roof was put on, it rained three inches.
“It was biblical,” said Nordman. “Kyle Vasseur and Brian Johnston were doing the roofing and they stayed at it the whole day during the downpour.”
The skill level of volunteers was a major factor in the quality of the workmanship, according to Artigues.
“This last group, we had 13 people and probably half were skilled tradespeople,” said Artigues. “Jim was blown away by the amount and quality of the work we could get done.”
Finishing touches are now being made to the structure and nearby outhouse; an official naming of the cabin will be announced soon.
Volunteers can be proud of the incredible work they did this summer, many using holidays to help construct the cabin, said Nordman.
Now all that is needed is a dusting of snow.
“The cabin is beautiful,” said Artigues. “It’s amazing.”
