Original article

WARNING: Trail Sabatoge in Penticton.

Unfortunately the increased off-road cycling traffic of long weekend tourists and race goers has upset some local residents into taking some severe action in Penticton.  Sunday night local Penticton riders found a large amount of trail sabotage and booby traps on the lower section of the Peat Bog Trail known as "Snake pit".  The sabotage included logs and debris being placed in the landing areas of jumps, and large rocks placed in the center of the trail on narrow steep canyon ledges.  The traps were designed to cause injury and bodily harm to riders on this already intense and dangerous path.

RCMP have been notified along with the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen but are not prepared to help rectify problem due to the fact that the trail is not Provincial Government Recognized.  The Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen admitted this morning over the phone that they know who carried out these acts of Intent to Cause Bodily Injury, but would not release a name to us.

If you are coming to Penticton for a riding vacation, please take care in riding the "Snake Pit" trail.  If you find traps or sabatoge please inform us immediately at info@bcmbg.com. or take photographs and send them to us with a detailed description.

We will try to keep you informed of the situation as more events develop.

Thanks and please ride safe.

Update Friday May 22, 2003

As of riding the trail on Wednesday May 20, 2003.  I found no evidence of traps but their was trail sabatoge.  I came into contact with a landowner who's property the trail crosses. 

The landowner, had used his right to close off the trail at the point it enters his property, and placed up private property signs.  The signs an the barriers were taken down by mountain bikers.  The land owner has contacted the British Columbia Mountain Bike Guide in order to look for a resolution to the problem.

The trail was constructed with complete disregard to the landowners property, and has caused a massive amount of erosion damage to a previously un-touched gulley.

Updated Friday June 2, 2003

"SnakePit" CLOSED

The lower half of the famous Okanagan Peat-Bog ride known as "SnakePit" was officially closed this morning.  Several factors such as private land owner ship, delicate vegetation, and impact on wildlife, all played a major role in this trail closure.

The primary concern of the Ministry of Air Land and Water Resources, was that this trail intersected a major birthing area of a herd of California Big Horn Sheep that use the Ellis canyon area as one of their major habitats.  It was determined by a local stewardship that mountain bikers using this trail would cause damage to the herd, and damage to their major food sources.

The trail was constructed primarily on crown land, with the exception of the exit to pavement which crossed private property.  The landowner, who suffered major land damage when the trail was routed through is backyard, was open-minded to the idea of allowing his land to be used, even after the trail builders routed through without his permission.    But unfortunately this will not happen as the majority of the trail will not be accessible due to sheep.

It is with a saddened heart that I pass this news on to you, "SnakePit" was a fun, exciting, and scenic trail with lots of challenge and exposure. 

Dax Kent

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