Members of the Metlakatla First Nation gathered yesterday to celebrate the re-opening of the community’s world class hiking trail.
Wrapping around the shoreline north of the community, the 8 kilometre Metlakatla Wilderness Trail has been out of commission for over 5 years.
A severe storm had wiped out portions of the trail’s pathway and damaged its suspension bridges, ultimately leading to the closure.
Extensive engineering work was required to safely reconstruct the bridges as part of a re-opening project which has now wrapped up.
That work also saw the addition of a new rest tower with a 360 degree view of the area, as well as new picnic sites and beach access points.
A ceremony was held to officially re-open the trail, but hikers are being asked to refrain from using the trail until June 6th.
Chartered trips to and from the trail are being offered by the Metlakatla Governing Council for up to 20 hikers on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Work to re-open the trail was funded by the Metlakatla Development Corporation, Northern Development, and a $172,000 investment from the Prince Ruper Port Authority.
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