DeBecks Hill Trail
DeBecks Hill Trail was fairly strenuous before the service road was improved to the telecommunications arrays on the summit.
You will see bits of old hauling cable and other relics of logging operations.
After the steep bluff, the defunct donkey engine under its sagging roof comes into sight.
Once on the summit and among the towers, you need to go beyond the big satellite dish to get views.
Taking the Rigs in Zen Trail down the south side of the hill will make a loop back to Alice Lake.
Being at a lower elevation means that this trail can often be used year round.
There have been only a few years when snow has covered the summit and no occurrences recently.
The antennae group of buildings on the summit are for telephone, television and radio facilities. All are necessary in this information era when people feel the need to be connected.
An important part of the provincial emergency preparedness in our community is the two-metre wavelength repeater station operated by the Squamish Amateur Radio Club.
Their president is Cameron Chu – call sign VA7JT.
A Bit of History
Dennis DeBeck came to Squamish in 1945 after having logged in the Parkhurst area of Whistler since 1933.
He cut and blasted the rough road as he logged up the hill. The steam donkey engine powering his sawmill was on skids to facilitate moves.
The final and present day location is likely the end of the profitable logging and where he stopped in 1966.
DeBeck retired from forestry in 1979 and was active in community work for many years.
He was a strong part of the local group that lobbied for the creation of a provincial park at Alice Lake.
This is a wilderness area and the frequent refuge of cougars and coyotes.There have been closure notices in the past.
Report all conflicts with wildlife:
RAPP at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277
DEBECKS HILL TRAIL
Origin of name: Dennis DeBeck (1911-2007) logged this hill and operated a sawmill here from 1946 to 1966.
Trailhead: South parking lot at Alice Lake.
Use: Single-track hiking and biking.
Difficulty: Blue.
Elevation: 168 metres to 454 metres.
Distance: 2 km
Etiquette: The trail is too wet to use when your footwear leaves impressions in the ground.
