In the Spirit of the Great Trail

Soon after I started walking this trail, I realized it would not be a peaceful stroll through the woods. It passes through many suburbanized and industrial areas. It also passes through the traditional aboriginal and first nations territories. I didn't know it then, but the trail is part of a larger cross-country network. At one point, I happened to come across a welcoming pavilion that provided information on the trail and its significance .

Greeting Figures K’AY’ACHTN’S “Our hands and arms welcome You to this sacred area.’ Darren Yelton, Squamish Nation Carvers

Two elder figures greet you in friendship to the Trans Canada Trail. Both wear traditional cedar hats and vest with white doves representing peace and friendship. Salmon, symbolic of our cycle of life, and a bald eagle symbolic of power and prestige are represented on the figures.

‘Mother Earth,’ high above the carvings, Welcomes the world to our wonderful city.

This plaque is held by a grizzly bear Which represents strength to our people.

The Great Trail network, as it used to be called, stretches across the country for over 27,000 kilometres touching the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans. It is the longest multi-trail network in the world.

In addition to the carvings and the large trail map, there were several boards on the grounds detailing the variety of natural sights that a trekker might encounter during a hike and their cultural importance to the local first nations.

I didn't have a cloth with me, and I didn't want to get in trouble for touching private property, but I was dying to give these informative signs a good scrubbing.

It would be something to trek the whole lenght of the trail from coast to coast to coast then arrive at this place and see this pavilion.

Welcome to the Trans Canada Trail!

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