Trans
Canada Trail -
Kettle Valley Railway Trail
Christina Lake
Description :
The Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) has become an international
destination for biking enthusiasts from around the world. The recent fires
in the Myra Canyon which destroyed most of the original trestles
are a tragedy, but cyclists need not be disappointed as there are many
other spectacular sections of the KVR to explore east of the Myra.
A popular two-hour route begins at Eholt, now a ghost
town west of Grand Forks, and descends along the beautiful North
Fork Valley, with great vistas of farmlands and two short tunnels.
Riders often stop to enjoy lunch at the Station Pub in
Grand Forks: a fine restoration of the original CPR (Canadian Pacific
Railroad) Station.
The section of the rail grade from Grand Forks to
Christina Lake has been resurfaced by BC Gas (now Terasen) and
has a smooth crushed gravel topping. This section is almost level, and
follows along the Kettle River Valley as it winds towards Christina
Lake.
About two hours of easy pedaling (this section can be done
with a child carrier as well) brings you to the newly decked Cascade
Gorge Trestle, and the former site of a Nicola Tesia power project
which produced some of the first AC current in the world. Cascade
Falls and The Gorge is easily accessed by foot from the rail grade,
and the view from Rainbow Rock is breathtaking!
A little further on will bring you to the newly decked (and
hand railed!) longest trestle on the CPR, spanning the Kettle River
almost 500 feet. British Troops, along with our own 44th Field Squadron
did an amazing job of decking the three trestles in this valley. The remains
of the boom-town Cascade are still visible, next to the 18-hole championship
Christina Lake Golf Course, one of the first to open in the spring.
Traveling another ten minutes will bring you to the base
of the Dewdney Trail, the official route of the Trans Canada Trail at
present, and a beautiful hiking and single track mountain biking trail.
Shuttle Bus available at
WildWays Adventure Sports
in Christina Lake
Travelers here can begin the ascent to Rossland or descent
to Christina Lake to enjoy the Province's most favourite lake (according
to a CBC Poll). Cyclists will find a range of excellent accommodations
and restaurants at Christina Lake, as well as WildWays a full service
bike shop that offers rentals, gear and shuttle service.
Loading Tower and RailRoad Trestle on the
Ascent to Paulson Bridge
If you carry on the rail grade, the next stop is Fife
and the old Limestone Loading Tower, once the source of minerals
for the Trail Smelters. The three-hour ascent to the Paulson Bridge
is highlighted by another trestle, a tunnel, and some fascinating
history of towns like Coryell, Paulson and Gladstone,
now just foundations crumbling into the earth.
At the summit, the Peter Verigin Memorial speaks
of wilder days in the Doukhabour's history, while the Bulldog Tunnel,
the longest tunnel on the CPR route (1km) will chill you to the bone on
a hot summer's day. The route from Paulson to Castlegar station
is about five hours, and has beautiful vistas of the Arrow Lake and the
remains of old towns which dotted this valley. There is a huge Natural
Arch rock formation a short ways from the rail grade, and a creek which
issues out of a cave. Ask for directions as there are no signs at present.
Many travelers find it convenient to stay at Christina Lake
and ride the surrounding sections of the rail grade, while enjoying the
beauty of the Lake.
Winter brings cross country skiers and snowshoers to enjoy
the KVR.
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