Happy Trails!

Ok. So we've sorted out our wardrobes, sent our kids off to school, (sadly) retired our flip flops and seen the evidence outside that, yes, autumn is upon us. Now that camping and beaches are no longer making their way onto our calendars we're thinking about keeping fit as we move into cooler temperatures - and we're starting in our own back yard.

We're so fortunate to have access to a network of trails here in Squamish. But what truly amazes us is how much there is to discover. Whether you've been here for years or you're just beginning to explore, here are a few resources to check before you head out.

The district's new Adopt-a-Trail program promotes Squamish as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and connects the community to its surroundings by encouraging physical fitness. The program also allows local residents to "adopt" a trail - a one-year minimum commitment of weekly visits (monthly from November to March) to help maintain our trail cleanliness and safety. They've created this comprehensive GIS mapping system (of 312 trails!) Select your zone, type of trail and difficulty level, to view route details and adoption availability.

For mountain bikers, TrailMapps: Squamish has recently launched an iPhone app available for purchase ($9.99). Hard copy maps are available at Tantalus Bike Shop, Corsa Cycles, Mountain Equipment Co-op (North Vancouver) and Republic Bicycles.

Map My Walk/Map My Ride/Map My Run has 103 user-submitted routes for Squamish and includes printable maps, ratings, distance information and 3D viewing capabilities through Google Earth. Apps are available for iPhone (Free) and Blackberry ($2.99) with social media integration so you can share your trips with your friends.

If you're serious about staying fit and looking for people with the same goal, local fitness instructor Jennifer Paddock of Out of Bounds Conditioning has organized a Fall Personal Fitness Challenge which starts this week. This 12-week program will include fitness testing, coaching and a personalized program to keep you on track. Find more info here and go ahead, let them see you sweat.