In the early 1980’s, Glen Stanley explored the Dore River Valley, and in the late 1980’s, a rough trail was cut into what they called the ‘Ozalenka’ trail. The first time into the Ozalenka valley was a climb through Belle Mountain over valleys and ridgelines, where they saw the beautiful lake and glacier-covered mountains.
Glen and his friend John Christison had explored the area west, past the modern-day trailhead into Ozalenka Trail, into the Boreal area. They mention a beautiful waterfall in that area, which they called ‘Dippernest Falls’ because there was a nest under the waterfalls.
When logging made its way into the Dore area and into the Boreal valley, Ozalenka had not yet been touched, and they appealed to the logging company, not to log Ozalenka, which worked out to their favour!
Glen took Harry Barber (Forestry manager), Christine, Gerhard Gross, Dave Marchant, Linda Bird, and Elaine Gillette to the valley. They saw its beauty and wished it preserved. Some didn’t want a cabin, but it seemed the only way to save it from being logged (the last unlogged watershed in the Dore drainage).
Initially, Glen and John, Jerry, along with several others in the community, received a grant for the Ozalenka club to cut a trail through Clyde Creek into the Ozalenka Valley. Several trips had been made through Clyde Creek in both summer and winter (snowshoes)
As with all things in history, once the new trail was made in the Dore valley, the Clyde Creek trail fell out of use, as the Dore route was shorter and access was good. However, the Dore Valley access will only offer this convenience so long as logging operations continue in the valley, and eventually this too will likely come to a close, so discussion has rekindled regarding the Clyde Creek Trail.
The name Ozalenka was discussed by the early group of friends who explored the Dore valley together, and John Christison came up with Osalenka, which was a native language word from up North meaning ‘Grizzly Bear’. The club adapted to the spelling of ‘Ozalenka’ as it had great appeal to all involved.
After word got out regarding the Ozalenka valley, it became a popular desitnation and Glen and John decided to build a cabin in the area. The club built the cabin with free labour in 1 week with a crew of 4-5 people camped in the valley. Forestry provided materials and support.
In November of 1981, Harry Barber arranged for a helicopter. Forestry paid for the cabin, club members bought and slung materials, built the cabin, Dave and Debby Salayka, John Bird, Glen Stanley, Morris Desormeau, Mark Aubrey,
Glen and Elsie Stanley
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