Welcome to Cheakamus Centre!

Guest Welcome Package

Onsite Contacts

Property Policies

Driving Directions

Site Maps

Trail Maps

Wildlife Information

BRACKENDALEFood / GasArt Gallery

RCMP1000 Finch Drive(604) 892-6100

Mamquam Rd.

Sea to Sky Walk-in Clinic#103 - 40147 Glenalder Place(604) 898-5555

Finch Dr.

Brennan Recreation Centre

LIONS BAY

HORSESHOE BAY

VANCOUVER

HoweSound

ANVILISLAND

BRITANNIA BEACH

FURRY CREEK

SHANNON FALLS

Squamish General Hospital38140 Behrner(604) 892-5211

Depot Rd.

Garibaldi Way

Cleveland Ave.

Guilford Dr.

Cheakamus CentrePH: 1 (604) 898-5422www.cheakamuscentre.ca

Squamish AirportGovernment Road(604) 892-5217

DRIVING TO CHEAKAMUS CENTREHeading NORTH on #99

Drive 10km past downtown Squamish to the Alice Lake turno�.

TURN LEFT (west) o� highway 99 across from the Alice Lake turno� on to Squamish Valley Road.

KEEP RIGHT over CN Rail tracks past Cheekye, over bridge and take the right fork on the Paradise Valley Road.

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SQUAMISHFood / GasShoppingDoctorsPharmacy

99

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N BC HydroSubstation

CN Rail

To UpperSquamish

Whistler

AliceLake

Cheakamus River

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Squamish

Squamish Valley Rd

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CHEAKAMUS CENTRE NORTH2170 Paradise Valley Road

MELODY HALL

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

CABINS

CHEAKAMUS CENTRE SOUTH1600 Paradise Valley Road

BLUESHORE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTRE

SPAKWUS HOUSE

BIG HOUSE

Welcome! We are glad to have you here & hope that you will enjoy your experience. I just wanted

to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about the centre as well as some of our policies.

I would like to start by first acknowledging the Coast Salish People, whose traditional territory

Cheakamus Centre/Outdoor School resides on.

Cheakamus Centre is located in an ecological reserve. It is first & foremost a school & as such

certain guidelines & procedures are respectfully asked for you to honour. As you take a stroll

around the property & on the many great hiking trails, please exercise mindfulness, of your

surroundings. There are many other creatures that live here & so we ask to please stay on the trails

& to not wonder into the forest. Please do not take any souvenirs home & keep the area the way

that you found it in order to maintain its beauty & also give other people the opportunity to enjoy

it.

Cheakamus Centre is a no smoking facility, so we do ask that if those individuals that do smoke,

please reserve that to paradise valley road & bring your butts back with you & dispose of them

appropriately. During the campfire & only in the campfire pit, you may smoke & dispose of your

butts into the fire & ensure that the cigarette butt is completely burned.

Cheakamus Centre is a nut-free facility. No nuts or snacks/food containing nuts is permitted on the

property.

Some of the key elements that we try to maintain here at Cheakamus Centre is a zero-waste

system; which includes comprehensive composting, recycling & garbage disposal. During your meal

times, you will notice clearly marked bins, which will outline what needs to go where. We

appreciate your anticipated efforts regarding this matter. We kindly ask that no one is taking any

food outside of the dining hall, meeting space or cabin.

Alcohol beverages & any glass bottles are strictly not permitted outside of these areas & please

ensure that you are aware of what is permitted by us for your party, with respects to this.

If the fire alarm should sound, or in the event of an emergency, please evacuate the building &

stand in an orderly fashion outside. All fire procedures are clearly labeled inside each building &

cabins, so please make yourself aware of this at your earliest convenience. Please review this

information carefully, so you are prepared before.

We will have a campfire kit set aside for your use during your pre-arranged evening, please be

aware of the safety procedures & know that the fire is to be extinguished safely by a member of

your group at the pre-arranged time. No food is permitted in the outdoor areas, with the exception

of anything pre-arranged, and only in the campfire pit.

We also have many other creatures living amongst us, including, amongst others, deer, squirrels &

racoons. So it is important to understand that though they are furry & cute, they are not to be

approached either. Information on wildlife is provided for you, so please ensure that you are aware

of this. Please note that it is crucial that everyone understands the guidelines when spotting a bear.

Please don’t, by any means turn & run, remain calm & back away slowly. Never make eye contact &

make as much noise as possible & appear bigger.

We have ample hiking trails available for your enjoyment; however, it is important to always be

prepared for anything. The weather can change suddenly, so be prepared for that, as well as any

unforeseen circumstance, i.e.: water. Please make sure that you do not venture off alone & always

tell someone where you are going & your anticipated arrival back.

We do have a farm on the property, so please make sure that you are not entering any doors

and/or gates. You may stand at the fencing/gates & say hello, but we do ask that you do not feed

the animals, or enter their paddocks.

We also have other people living on & off the Cheakamus Centre property, including small children,

so it is important that you are respectful of your surroundings & keep noise to a minimum. We do

not permit any pets on the property, unless it’s a service dog.

During your stay here at the Cheakamus Centre, we may also have several other events happening

at the same time, including overnight stays, it is important that you understand the boundaries, I

have explained these boundaries to your contact person, please take a moment to be inform

yourself of these boundaries.

Please enjoy your stay here at the beautiful Cheakamus Centre. A list of important procedural

information, including some of what I have reviewed here, is also posted in your cabins & dorms. If

you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to ask myself or any of knowledgeable

Cheakamus Centre staff. Enjoy your visit & we will see you around.

Sepideh Tazzman

Event Coordinator

Cheakamus Centre | Brackendale BC Text: 604.230-4029

1-888-677-6665 sepideh@cheakamuscentre.ca

www.cheakamuscentre.ca Proceeds from facility rentals support environmental

leadership & learning programs for children and youth

Welcome To the Cheakamus Centre!

We are pleased to have you staying with us and hope that you will enjoy your experience.

Contacts Onsite:

General Manager: Jason Fullerton 778-772-9398 jason@cheakamuscentre.ca

Event Coordinator: Sepideh Tazzman 604-230-4029 sepideh@cheakamuscentre.ca

Policies: The Cheakamus Centre is located in an ecological reserve that exists to introduce both children and adults to the

wonders of the natural world. Mindfulness, conservation and preservation are key elements of what we do here. Out

of consideration for everyone who uses the facility, for the environment and for the flora and fauna that share our

natural spaces, we respectfully ask that you honor the following policies:

1. The Cheakamus Centre strives to be a zero waste facility. Please utilize the compost and recycling bins provided

for you. If you don’t know what goes where, we are happy to guide you.

2. The farm is a lovely place to look at the animals, but please refrain from feeding them or entering their habitats

unless you are on a guided farm tour with one of our staff members.

3. Please stay only on groomed trails and refrain from removing anything from the grounds, forest or waterways.

Please leave the plants to grow undisturbed, and leave any animals in the forest or the waterways to themselves.

If you would like to fish, please do so away from this property.

4. The Cheakamus Centre is a nonsmoking facility. We are an active school and a nature preserve, so smoking is not

permitted anywhere on the property or in buildings (fines are applicable for anyone not adhering to this policy).

5. Any campfires enjoyed on the property must be contained within the designated fire pit that has been reserved

by your group, during the times that the fire pit has been reserved for.

6. Please enter only the buildings that have been assigned to your group. Other buildings are private spaces.

7. Please leave your pets at home. We do not allow pets on the grounds or in the cabins. (Except service animals).

8. All decorations or enhancements you may wish to install for your event are subject to approval by Cheakamus

management staff. All items you bring in must be removed from the premises at the conclusion of your event.

(We do not permit open candles on-site).

9. Please park in designated parking lots only. Only our service vehicles are permitted on the grounds or next to

cabins. Service push-carts are available for transporting luggage and other personal belongings.

10. Snacks and drinks are to be kept out of the cabins, for your own comfort and safety. It is best to discourage visits

from unwelcome forest dwellers.

Once again, welcome! Please let us know if there is any way we can serve you better.

We hope that we will see you again!

N

S

EW

p.o. Box 250, 2170 Paradise Valley Road Ph: 1 - (604) 898-5422 Brackendale, B.C., V0N 1H0 http://www.cheakamuscentre.ca/Cheakamus.Centre.North.Aug.2014

#1

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Duck Pond

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CampfireShelter

BasketballShelterBasketball

Parkingrecycling

pigs

Information

garbage

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#7

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fire shed

Hatchery(across sports field)

Farm Lab over • 4.3m (14’) x 7m (23’)

• Aquatics Lab 7m (23’) x 9m (29’)

• Forest Lab 4.5m (15’) x 7.3m (24’)

* North Entrance

Log •House

(private)

#9 • Clinic

• Staff• Residence (Private)

RaingearShed

LuggageTrolleys

Poultry

• Program Office

Arts Lab • 4m (13’) x 5.8m (19’)

To ELC

Admin • Office(top floor)

AdminBuilding

• Fireside Lounge (west) 8m (26’) x 10m (33’)

• (east) 6.5m (22’) x 10m (33’)

• Melody Hall 11m (38’) x 18m (59’)

• Heritage Cabin

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To:Evans LakeLevette LakeHutt Lake

Private Property

Burma Bridge Foot Bridge

Katimavik ConnectorSkid Trail

Far Point Habitat Channels

Mykiss Habitat Chan n el s

NorthwoodsShelter

• Fish Camp

Sne

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• Moody's Spawning Channel

Bighou

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GatherLoop

CedarShelter

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Eagle W

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Eagle Point

Bighouse

AdminBuilding

InfoKiosk

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Wountie East

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Toilet Paper Lane

Dave's Ponds

BCR Spawning Channel

Mos

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Caves

Pre

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Maple Lane Haulb

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Birth of a Stream South

Birth of a S tream North

Hunter H

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Cascade

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Flower Rock

Emer

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“culturallymodified”

cedars

TenderfootHatchery

Coho Connector

Lillooet Gold Rush TrailKiw

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chee-YAK-m

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CN

Railw

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BC

R M

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Bird's-eye Bluff

Skyline

Loop

Panarama Point

MysteryRock

Upper Moss Loop

Bog Loop

WeatherBluffs

• shortcut

Fern Grotto

Fir • Fungus

SpakwusHouse

• 6 km to Highway #99• 16 km to Squamish

CN

Railw

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Far PointIntake

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Km 6.5 Wountie Channel

Boardwalk

To:LostLake

Main BldDetail: Fish Trap Area

• Fish Trap

i

Info Kiosk

KisutchLoop

Pres Thompson Trailto Brohm Lake:

Lost Lake •

duck pond

Hatchery

North Gate •

Angel'sParadise

Tend

erfo

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reek

field

Staircase

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SS

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Birth of a Stream

old loggingdonkey sled

Kiwi North (caves)

North WoodsShelter

Skid Trail(back to NVOS)

Boardwalk

Maple Lane

South Entry ELC •

Bighouse •Conference •

Centre

Bob's

Ber

m

To Fish Trap

• LostLake

• Sampling

Areas

To Fish Trap

KisutchRefugeChannel •

• To Road Bridge

Detail: Channel Junction

Channelpipes

2170 Paradise Valley Road p.o. Box 250 Brackendale, B.C., V0N 1H0Ph: 1 - (604) 898-5422Fax:1 - (604) 898-5032

June 2014Rev.Date:

Drawing Title:

SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR VISIT

Hair styling gear (i.e. blow dryer)

Toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, medications, etc.)

Flashlight or Head lamp

Warm jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf

A sweater or fleece

Rain jacket/umbrella

Sturdy, warm, waterproof boots

Slippers

Warm bathrobe

Water bottle

First aid kit – Sunscreen and bug repellent

For more information:www.squamish.ca

or call 604.815.5066

cell: #7277

BearsPhoto Credits:

M. Allen, M. Kerford-Toom, C. Arnott, J. Siderius., B. Speidel

Resource:Ministry of Environment website:

www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos

• Black bears can vary in colour from black, brown, blonde, to cinnamon.

• Opportunistic omnivores; diet consists of 10-15% meat and 80-85% vegetation.

• Eyesight is good and they can see in colour.

• Sense of smell is 10x stronger than a bloodhounds.

• Will stand on their back legs to better identify what is in front of them.

• Can run as fast as 50km/hr or 15m/second and can change direction quickly.

• Strong swimmers.

• Highly curious and intelligent.

• Have adapted to live within urban environments.

• Born wild and wary of humans but soon become habituated to human activity.

• Can live to 25 years in the wild.

Bear Facts

Wildlife in Squamish

For all wildlife sightings and encounters:

Bears At Home On the Trails

Bear Encounters

Squamish is located in prime bear habitat. Whether you are spending time recreating within one of our many Provincial Parks, swimming in one of our many lakes or hiking & biking in our extensive trail network, you can expect to encounter bears.

Bears are most active between March and November but can be seen over the winter months if non-natural food is available.

Seeing a bear in its natural habitat can be a memorable experience, but please keep our bears wild by following these simple guidelines.

• Ensure all garbage is locked and inaccessible to bears.

• Manage all outdoor attractants i.e. hang birdfeeders out of reach, maintain an odourless compost, clean barbeques and feed pets indoors.

• Harvest your fruit trees and never let fruit rot on the ground.

• Avoid surprise encounters by making noise i.e. use your voice.

• Be alert and aware and look for bear signs i.e. fresh bear scat, claw marks on trees, ripped apart logs, turned over rocks and boulders.

• Keep dogs leashed.

• Pack out what you pack in.

• Stay calm and do NOT run.

• Never turn your back on wildlife.

• Back away and give the bear space.

• Talk calmly.

• Avoid eye contact.

• Have deterrent ready and know how to use it.

Black bears are excellent climbers and will leave claw marks on trees when climbing. Bears will also scratch, bite and rub against trees as a way to mark their territory.

Bears are plantigrade, or flat footed. They have five toes with claws that are not retractable; grizzly bear claws are longer and are usually more visible than a black bears.

Bears will rip apart rotten logs to access insects like carpenter ants and their larvae.

Fresh scat could indicate that a bear is near-by so make some noise and avoid surprise encounters.

www.squamish.ca

For more information:www.squamish.ca

or call 604.815.5066

Resources:Ministry of Environment website:

www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos

Photo Credits:C. Finch

G. Koehler, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesJ. Boone

www.wildcatsanctuary.org

cell: #7277

Cougars• Canada’s largest cat.

• Also known as mountain lion or puma.

• Tail can be 1/3 length of their body with black tip.

• Males can weigh 64 to 91kg & females 41 to 54kg.

• Primary prey is deer but will also feed on elk, rabbits, beaver, raccoons, grouse, livestock and domestic pets.

• Most active at dusk and dawn but can roam and hunt any time and in any season.

• During late spring and summer, one to two year old cougars leave protection of mother’s care to seek out own home range.

• Predators, top of the food chain: carnivores.

• Able to run 55-70km/hour for short distances.

• Can climb trees.

• Can swim.

• Can jump 5 to 6m horizontally (length of a school bus) in a single leap.

CougarFacts

Wildlife in Squamish

For all wildlife sightings and encounters:

Cougars On the Trails

At Home

Squamish is located in prime cougar habitat. Whether you are spending time recreating within one of our many Provincial Parks, swimming or fishing in one of our many lakes or hiking & biking in our extensive trail network, you can expect to encounter cougars.

Cougars are active throughout the year and are elusive animals that prefer to avoid contact with humans.

Stay safe and keep cougars wild by following these simple guidelines:

• Be alert and aware.

• Avoid surprise encounters by making noise i.e. use your voice.

• Keep dogs leashed.

• Hike or bike in groups.

• Leave the area immediately if you come across a cougar kill or cache.

• Riding fast and quietly puts you at risk for surprise encounters. Slow down going around blind corners and make noise.

• Be alert & look for cougar signs i.e. paw prints, fresh scat, claw marks on trees, food caches, and ravens, crows, or vultures circling.

• Do not attract or feed wildlife. Deer, raccoons, mice and rabbits, may attract cougars.

• Do not leave pet food outside as this can attract wildlife.

• Ensure birdseed is not attracting wildlife.

• Roaming pets are easy prey: bring pets in at night.

• Install motions senors.

• Cut back brush and grass to reduce areas of cover and increase sight lines.

Cougar paw printCougars have four toes with three distinct lobes present at the base of the pad. Claws are retractable, so they usually do not leave imprints.

Cougar food cacheCougars cover unconsumed portions of their kill with soil and leaf litter. Avoid these food caches.

Cougar Scatlook for signs of fresh scat. Scat is segmented and can contain hair and bone remnants.

Cougar scratch marksCougars are territorial and will mark trees and logs by “claw raking”. Look for signs of fresh claw marks.

Cougar Encounters• Stay calm and do NOT run.

• Never turn your back on wildlife.

• Back away slowly.

• Use a confident, loud voice.

• Maintain eye contact.

• Pick up children and small pets.

• Make yourself appear larger i.e. raise arms overhead, open jacket wide and stand tall.

• Put your bike between you and the cougar.

• Throw objects if the cougar approaches i.e. rocks, sticks. Ready your deterrent.

• If attacked, fight back with anything available to

you including sticks, rocks, and your fists.

For more information:www.squamish.ca

604.815.5066

Photo Credits:Stanley Park Ecology Centre

WikipediaMeg Kerford-Toom

Resources:Co-existing with Coyotes

Stanley Park Ecology Centrewww.stanleyparkecology.ca

cell: #7277

Coyotes• Coyotes have large ears that point up. They can hear a mouse under 20cm of snow.

• Bib-like patch of white fur around lower jaw and neck.

• Darker grey and black hairs on upper body and lighter cream-coloured undersides.

• Can weigh between 9 and 18kg (20-40lbs).

• Tail is bushy with a black tip which is carried low while in motion.

• Omnivores- they eat a wide range of foods including rodents, insects, fish, garbage, compost, fruit and eggs.

• Rodents make up 75% of their diet.

• Jump 5-metres horizontally and over 2-metres vertically.

• Sprint up to 65 km/h and trot comfortably at speeds of 20 to 30 km/h.

• Throw and scatter their voices with ease. They are one of the most vocal wild animals in North America.

• Coyotes rarely fight with each other. They use gestures and sounds to communicate.

CoyoteFacts

Wildlife in Squamish

For all wildlife sightings and encounters:

Coyotes

On the TrailsAt Home

Squamish is located in prime coyote habitat. Whether you are spending time recreating within one of our many Provincial Parks, swimming or fishing in one of our many lakes or hiking & biking in our extensive trail network, you can expect to encounter coyotes.

Coyotes are active throughout the year and being timid animals they prefer to avoid contact with humans.

Stay safe and keep coyotes wild by following these simple guidelines:

• Be alert and aware.

• Avoid surprise encounters by making noise i.e. use your voice.

• Keep dogs leashed.

• Hike or bike in groups.

• Be alert and look for coyote signs i.e. dens, paw prints, fresh scat.

• Do not attract or feed wildlife. Raccoons, mice and rabbits, may attract coyotes.

• Do not leave pet food outside as this can attract wildlife.

• Ensure birdseed is not attracting wildlife.

• Roaming pets are easy prey: bring pets in at night.

• Install motions senors.

• Cut back brush and grass to reduce areas of cover and increase sight lines.

• Pick fruit and remove windfall as fruit can attract coyotes

• Maintain an odour free compost to reduce attracting rodents and coyotes

• Lock all garbage to keep coyotes out

• Do not let your pets “play” with coyotes

Coyote paw printOval shaped, four toes with claws, hind print smaller than front.

Coyote scatCigar shaped and tapered at one end. Usually black or gray and can contain vegetation and hair and bone remnants.

Coyote den

Urban Coyote

Built in trees, rocks, under logs and along riverbanks. Used for raising pups and avoiding weather.

Coyotes can become habituated to humans and lose their natural wariness if they find food in our neighbourhoods, they are highly adaptable to urban living.

Coyote Encounters• Stay calm and do NOT run.

• Never turn your back on wildlife.

• Back away slowly.

• Be as big, mean and loud as possible.

• Maintain eye contact.

• Pick up children and small pets.

• Make yourself appear larger i.e. raise your arms overhead, open your jacket wide, stand tall.

• Wave your arms and throw objects if the coyote approaches. Ready your deterrent.

2) Bluff Hike – 1.5-2

hours. Short steep

sections with

beautiful views.

Begin up trail and

walk back down

.road.

3) River Loop – 1-1.5

hours of flat walk.

Gorgeous River

and salmon

spawning channels

1) Big Cedars Walk – 1-1.5

hours. Huge Cedars, flat

walk through a scenic

mossy forest

Cheakamus Centre Walks & Hikes