Question from a hike leader:
Please post direction from you regarding our going into Sheriff Lake property…which is off Milliken mine road across from where sheriff creek trails are. Some of us were sure you told us at last general meeting that sheriff lake area was a no-no for hiking into. But I see that ---- did a hike there yesterday….can we have a definite yes or no for this area…I’m sure I’m the not the only one who wants.
The land around Sherriff Lake is posted as Private Property. We have received a letter from BHP saying we are to stay off of Mine property, yet the guys at the local BHP office say it is ok to walk around Sherriff Lake as long as we stay off of the berms. Below is an excerpt from the annual BHP report released in March. It clearly states that the only hiking allowed on BHP property is on public trails such as Sherriff Creek, The Trans Canada Trail and The VTA trail. The City of Elliot Lake and BHP is working on a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow us to hike certain parts of Sherriff Lake.
So what would happen if we get caught hiking around Sherriff Lake? Nothing would be my guess. There are people hiking there every day. Given the information that I have I would recommend that as a club we do not hold Coureurs de Bois sanctioned hikes on mine property until all the permissions are in place.
Our insurance has told me that if we get injured on private property without written permission to be there, we are not covered. So on the extreme end are we as hike leaders prepared to be sued by a hiker just to hike where we should not be.
Sadly, there are many nice trails on mine property. Fortunately for us here in Elliot Lake, there are many nice trails.
