Indian River FSR
Sea To Sky Natural Resource District
FortisBC Pipeline Construction
Road closed to all users at gate at 3km due to construction activities. Single lane alternating traffic 0 - 3km. Expect 20-30 minute delays. Traffic control personnel on site. Road also closed to all users at 34.5km (no access through Indian Arm). Expect further closures through 2026.See: https://talkingenergy.ca/project/eagle-mountain-woodfibre-gas-pipeline-project
Road Details
| Location | STAWAMUS/INDIAN RIVER |
|---|---|
| Length | 34.70km |
| Condition |
| 0.0km to 34.7 km | Good Condition 153d ago |
| Owner | District Manager Squamish (dsq) |
|---|---|
| Closures | No Posted Closures |
| Waypoints | Download GPX |
Road Description
No description.
Road Bulletins
FortisBC employee blocking all public access from 0km at 7:30am on a Friday. Stated that this would be the case during all work hours. Not possible to reach Shannon Creek branch for sky pilot access.
Upon farther talking to the attendant, apparently this closure is actually due to log felling for powerline construction on the Shannon Creek FSR, by the Sea to Sky Gondola, that has been going on since November 2023, and this is why it is not advertised on the pipeline project's website along with the 3km and 10km gates. Somewhat confusing
Upon farther talking to the attendant, apparently this closure is actually due to log felling for powerline construction on the Shannon Creek FSR, by the Sea to Sky Gondola, that has been going on since November 2023, and this is why it is not advertised on the pipeline project's website along with the 3km and 10km gates. Somewhat confusing
The FSR has more signs than I’ve ever seen on any logging road. It was in excellent shape and the gate at 3km was open.
Near the second gate (9.5km), I pulled over to let a work truck pass. The driver let me know that this gate was closed and guarded, would remain as such for the next 3 to 4 years, and no one was allowed in. He gave me a card with a number I could call to apply for a permit (1-855-380-5784, the card also mentions egp@fortisbc.com and talkingenergy.ca), but he wasn’t sure how to qualify and hadn’t heard of anyone getting one. To confirm, I went to the gate and talked to the guard, who told me pretty much the same thing, except he thought it would only be closed for 6 months. It seems that no hiker will be allowed past that gate for a long time.
Near the second gate (9.5km), I pulled over to let a work truck pass. The driver let me know that this gate was closed and guarded, would remain as such for the next 3 to 4 years, and no one was allowed in. He gave me a card with a number I could call to apply for a permit (1-855-380-5784, the card also mentions egp@fortisbc.com and talkingenergy.ca), but he wasn’t sure how to qualify and hadn’t heard of anyone getting one. To confirm, I went to the gate and talked to the guard, who told me pretty much the same thing, except he thought it would only be closed for 6 months. It seems that no hiker will be allowed past that gate for a long time.
New gate still unlocked as of Apr. 22. Lots of working activities and one sign indicated closure from 8-noon, 1-6 pm M-F or something like that. I nevertheless drove out at 1:20 pm and was not affected. The status of this road could change from day to day and hour to hour so best is to have a contingency plan
I expect this road may be closed to the public very soon. First few KM have been graded so smooth they might as well be paved, I think this is to get to a new office compound. New (unlocked for now) gate at 3.5km & some trees have recently been cut from the sides of the road. Lots of light vehicle construction traffic on this busy Saturday, everyone calling out KM over VHF, radio handy to have as it was very dusty (lights on) so good to know where other vehicles are. Heavy machinery was parked & idle but may be working during the week so beware. No huge obstacles but some small shallow creek crossings & a few sections with loose 3" rock. There was a large cleared staging area at KM29.5, I drove as far as the SAR station opposite the Wigwam Inn. Nothing to stop an SUV making it but I'd recommend decent tires, a full size spare & / or tire repair kit. I found this morning that I must've got a slow puncture on one of my 10-ply A/T tires as it was down to 24psi
[From FortisBC] - FortisBC is enacting safety-related closures on the Stawamus Indian River Forest Service Road as construction on the project continues. These closures will allow crews to carry out continued work on improvements to the forest service road and construction of the gas pipeline. A gate will be installed approximately three kilometres from the road entrance to prevent users from accessing the area during times when construction makes it unsafe to do so. Intermittent closures will start in February 2024 with longer duration closures expected in 2025 and 2026. Signage will be posted at the start of the Stawamus Indian River Forest Service Road and at the closure point, advising the public of the closure hours. We appreciate your patience as we strive to complete this work safely and as quickly as possible.
[From Jonathan Van] - the road appears to be getting regularly plowed. There is currently work being done up to the 10km mark as part of: https://talkingenergy.ca/project/eagle-mountain-woodfibre-gas-pipeline-project?fbclid=IwAR2oCqACckDpSmd0O488SCIQC_2zyctBZSNc5qemhdXnzWvs8tLyQECq_eo_aem_AWAhPUI2LglSevR8xrdC3dJNtMk6XEK-w1kEOVgeZ-y9iuO0UOpATpxl14Cc7Q8JrBk&tab=updates-tab
Road is in fine shape after the rain - most water bars were only a few inches deep and a few others were even dry. All weathered the recent storm well, and the road should be manageable by stock 4WD vehicles and competent drivers. Note that here is road work along with traffic control at around the 2 to 4 kilometre mark. We only waited a couple minutes at either end, but we did overhear on the radio after we passed that they would be stopping traffic for 30 minutes at a crack.
As of the date i went, this road is in good shape, any 4wd (not necessary high clearance) can make it all the way to the end
