Access at Risk: Incomappleux Forest Service Road Update
The BC Snowmobile Federation continues to advocate for responsible land use and fair access to BC’s backcountry. One of the long-standing files we're actively monitoring is the Incomappleux Forest Service Road (FSR)—a vital route in the Kootenay region that has faced growing restrictions over the past two decades.
A Timeline of Restrictions
Access to the Incomappleux FSR has been unreliable since a significant 150m³ rockfall in 2006 compromised the structural integrity of the Crevice Bridge. Since then, the road has seen intermittent closures. By 2017, a gate was installed, and in 2021, the Ministry of Forests formally slated the road for deactivation, citing lack of funding and disrepair.
The situation became more complex in 2023, when the upper Incomappleux Valley was designated a Conservancy under the Park Act, and the lower portion was identified as a specified area under Part 13 of the Forest Act—designations that further obscure the path forward for long-term public access.
Local Voices Speak Out
In a recent update shared by MLA Scott McInnis, concerns were raised about the broader implications of this closure:
“There are 150 private properties in this valley which will have access permanently cut off. This road has been in existence for roughly 130 years, servicing the Camborne Mine, logging operations, and providing access to generational homesteaders.”
More Than a Road
The Incomappleux file highlights a growing disconnect between government ministries over the purpose and management of BC’s Forest Service Roads. These routes aren't just for logging trucks—they are:
Lifelines for rural residents
Critical corridors for emergency response
Gateways to world-class outdoor recreation
This disconnect was even recently raised in the BC Legislature, where questions were asked about how decisions like these are being made—and who they’re leaving behind.
Losing access to these routes means losing the very connections that tie our communities to the land.
What’s Next?
The BCSF stands with the local landowners, outdoor enthusiasts, and user groups who continue to push for reasonable access solutions. We remain committed to working with stakeholders and decision-makers to ensure snowmobilers and all backcountry users have a voice.
🡒 Read the Ministry of Forests' update HERE.
