Metro Vancouver warns of permanent trail closures after Seymour River rockslide

Flooding in the Twin Bridges area of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve poses "significant danger" to people using nearby trails, according to Metro Vancouver.

The regional government today (December 11) "strongly urged" hikers and other visitors to respect trail closures put in place following a rockslide on Sunday (December 7).

"Flooding of trails and forested areas in the Twin Bridges area has created dangerous conditions for hikers. Trails are closed to all public access. Closed areas and trail access points are clearly signed, and major routes are staffed," Metro Vancouver said in an update.

"The extent of trail closures is being refined, in conjunction with the District of North Vancouver, based on hazard assessments. Additional areas are expected to be reopened by the weekend."

However, Metro Vancouver warned that "some" trails may "remain closed permanently".

The Fisherman's, Homestead, and Twin Bridges trails are among those closed.

A video shot on Tuesday (December 9) shows people checking out the flooding along the Seymour River and visiting the fence installed at Twin Bridges.

Metro Vancouver said the rockslide is "stable".

"The naturally occurring slide occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, and comprised some 30 - 50,000 cubic metres of rock. Several very large boulders, including one the size of a house and estimated at 3,000 tonnes, along with other rocky debris partially blocked the river. Monitoring of river flows and the slide has determined that the partial blockage has stabilized and the channel has widened, allowing for additional flow to pass unimpeded," its update stated.