Caltrops found in dirt on popular Comox Valley trail
Published 3:06 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Comox Valley RCMP and Comox Valley Search & Rescue (CVSAR) have both released safety notices to local trail users after a cluster of metal spikes were found hidden in the dirt on a trail along the Puntledge River pipeline.
Mountain biker Eric Roy's tire was punctured on June 14. The rider returned to check the trail the next day, only to find several more of the metal devices, called caltrops, obscured in the dirt. The caltrops were found near the Stotan Falls Fish Passage area and Powerhouse Road, at the entrance of a popular trail for bikers, hikers and dog walkers.
Roy was on the mountain bike at the time, maneuvering between two large rocks in the middle of the trail.
“All of a sudden, I hear air leaking out of my tire. At first, I thought it was my tire valve but when I looked, I saw one of the caltrops embedded in my tire,†Roy said.
“Once I realized what they were, I went back to see if there were any more, and I found three more beside two those two large rocks,†said Roy. “People and riders are essentially funneled to go that way, so the person who put them there knew what they were doing.â€
The rider returned the next day, went to the other side of the road and discovered six more, three going in each direction along the trail.
After 14 years biking on Comox Valley trails, Roy was “blown away that someone would spend money to set up — essentially a trap — to cause damage and, even worse, harm to anyone on foot, bike, or having an animal with them who could have been injured.â€
“I'm very lucky my dog did not step on one of them as that would have gone right through his paw, and I'd be carrying him to the vet instead of me just having to walk my bike out with a flat tire,†Roy said.
Roy says that typically the Puntledge River pipeline area is a great place to go biking, hiking and running, especially with a dog, stating that people are usually very friendly, simply enjoying the experience of being out there on a sunny day.
Caltrops present a serious safety hazard to the public. They have a spike pointing upward no matter how they land after being placed or tossed. Not only can they puncture bike and vehicle tires, they can cause serious injuries to children, people and pets if they are stepped on.
The RCMP released a safety warning on their Facebook page on June 16 alerting the public to the caltrops not just found on local trails, but also on residential streets: “Police have also received reports of caltrops being found in a residential driveway and on public roadways in Courtenay,†the RCMP statement said. “In one incident, on May 20, a motorist suffered two flat tires after driving through the Lake Trail Road/Marsden Road area where caltrops were discovered lodged in the vehicle's tires.â€
“Regardless of who may be using a trail, roadway or public space, intentionally placing hazardous objects where they may injure people or animals creates an unacceptable risk to the community, and it's against the law,†said Cst. Terragni, Comox Valley RCMP media relations officer.
The RCMP is investigating the caltrops incidents in the valley, and they ask residents to report any suspicious activity and discarded spike devices, and provide any information they may have. People can call the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321.
Comox Valley Search and Rescue has also issued a public safety notice on their Facebook page.
“CVSAR has been made aware of metal spike devices found on local bike trails. We have also been notified that similar devices may have been seen on some roads around Lake Trail.
“These objects are dangerous and could cause serious injury to riders, pedestrians, dogs, and other trail users,†CVSAR said.
CVSAR advises extra caution in areas where avoiding a hazard may be difficult and to keep an eye on the ground and road surface, especially around corners, narrow sections and shoulders.
