Talk:Vancouver/North Shore Recreation Trails
sac_scale ratings
I think that key:sac_scale ratings are applied somewhat inconsistently in SW BC, so I think it makes sense to have a couple of reference trails for the region as a basis for comparison. In particular, I have noticed that trails on the north shore rated "hiking" and "mountain_hiking" seem to be much more difficult that trails rated "hiking" and "mountain_hiking" elsewhere in the region. IMO this really boils down to whether rough trails where the only real obstacles are rocks and roots, without much in the way of fall hazards, should be rated hiking or mountain_hiking. I think it's better to reserve "hiking" for smooth well maintained trails so there is some differentiation. The reference trails should:
- be popular so that OSM contributors are likely to have hiked them
- cover the full range of sac_scale
- have typical obstacles and difficulties for trails in SW BC.
- have a consistent sac_scale rating over the trail (or the applicable section if only part of the trail is being used as a reference)
As such I propose the following trails as references:
| Trail | segment | current sac_sclae rating | proposed sac_scale reference rating | Justification / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garibaldi Lake Trail | none | hiking | ||
| Baden Powell Trail | Eagle Bluff lookout to Cypress Bowl parking lot | hiking | hiking | |
| Baden Powell Trail | Eagle bluff ascent from horseshoe may | demanding_mountain_hiking | demanding_mountain_hiking | talus |
| Baden Powell Trail | the rest of the trail | mountain_hiking | mountain_hiking | uneven roots and rocks |
| Mount Seymour | to second peak | hiking | mountain_hiking | uneven roots and rocks |
| Mount Seymour | second peak to third peak | mountain_hiking | demanding_mountain_hiking | fall hazard, bare rock |
| Flint and Feather | rating based on scramble section | demanding_mountain_hiking | alpine_hiking | hands required for forward progress in one location on the scramble section. Apply rating to entire trail |
| Needle Peak | Lower Trail | mountain_hiking | ? | this trail is steep, does that alone make it mountain_hiking? |
| Needle Peak | Scramble from Needle-Flatiron col to summit | alpine_hiking | alpine_hiking | a few moves required pulling up with hands |
| Black Tusk | gully scramble | demanding_alpine_hiking | demanding_alpine_hiking | |
| West Lion | Peak Scramble | demanding_alpine_hiking | ? |
ScottNelson (talk) 19:42, 18 June 2024 (UTC)