TRANS CANADA TRAIL |
 Opening in 2000, the Trans Canada Trail is a 21,500-kilometre recreational trail winding its way through every province and territory, from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic Oceans. When completed, it will be the world's longest recreational trail, linking close to 1000 communities and over 33 million Canadians.  Now part of the Spirit of 2010 Trail, the Christina Lake section presents a unique and diverse experience for hikers and bike riders. Explore the open terrain of the Gilpin Grasslands, the awe inspiring natural wonders of the Cascade Gorge and the Kettle River Trestle Bridge to the west. Enjoy spectacular views from the heights of the Santa Rosa/Fife section and the ascent to the Paulson summit along the historic Kettle Valley Railway grade to the northeast. The full journey from Grand Forks to Castlegar will take you across two recently redecked trestle bridges, several rail bridges, through six tunnels, and past numerous historic sites including Cascade Dam, the Fife ore loading tower and Bulldog Tunnel.With an abundance of access points along the way, travelers can take their time exploring the trail section by section. Wildways offers convenient shuttle services for hikes or biking, and while you are there, be sure to pick up your copy of the new Trans Canada Trail: British Columbia guidebook. |
GILPIN GRASSLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK  The region's newest Provincial Park offers a level grade through the wide open grasslands and dry forest, for relaxed hiking or bike riding. Established to protect the feeding and critical winter habitat for a large population of whitetailed and mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep, the scenery is panoramic, with the Kettle River flowing to the south and rolling hills to the north. The trail winds its way along the valley, eventually passing the historic townsite of Billings, before arriving at the trestle bridge over Cascade Gorge.There are several entry points to the Trans Canada Trail in and around the Gilpin Grasslands. Head west from Christina Lake along Hwy 3 and look for the Trans Canada Trail markers to the south. |
CASCADE GORGE Carved over millions of years as the Kettle River scoured through its metamorphic rock, the Cascade Gorge is one of our most treasured natural attractions. In the spring, the winter melt off surges through the canyon with an awesome display of power; by the end of summer the water levels recede to reveal the series of "kettles" carved in to the canyon walls and basin. A "must see" attraction while in the region, it must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. The gorge is also the site of the region's first AC power generating station. The Cascade Dam dam at the head of the gorge diverted the Kettle River through a 125 m tunnel bored through solid rock into a man-made rock cut where the water entered a pair of 2 m diameter wooden stave pipes 500 m in length before reaching the power station at the foot of the gorge. The remains of this monumental undertaking can still be found, with the concrete bulkhead now forming a foot bridge to the viewing areas. For more information on the Cascade Dam visit the virtual museum website. Exercise extreme caution while exploring this area, as the rocks can be slippery, and there are no guardrails or fencing. Enjoy the views from a safe distance. There are two primary access points to the gorge section. Heading west from Christina Lake on Hwy 3, pull into the turnout on your left just past the 395 junction where the welcome sign is located. Here you will find the short descent to the Trans Canada Trail. Once you reach the main trail, to your right is the bridge, which offers some great photo opportunities of the Kettle River winding underneath through the narrow rock fissure. To the south of the bridge is where the Cascade Dam stood from1898 to 1922. Following the railway bed, after about a five minute walk you will find the top of the old concrete bulkhead off to your left. After crossing the bulkhead, follow the path to your right which will lead you out to the cliff face for a spectacular view of the gorge and falls. |
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After leaving Christina Lake, follow Hwy 3 and take the Hwy 395 turnoff. Immediately after crossing the bridge, pull off to your right where you will find a fairly steep staircase taking you up to the falls trail. This hike offers a couple of options; To get to the closest vantage point for the falls, take the path leading off the main trail to your right, which will get you to the east bluff and Rainbow Rock. From here, you can follow a trail skirting the gorge to other view points. Continuing on the main trail will take you to into a rock cut to the base of the old control gate bulkhead and into the penstock, past the ruins of the spillways and further on to the entrance of what is now a giant cave, originally the tunnel through which water was diverted from the river into the penstock. You can also get to the west side of the gorge by turning right before you arrive at the bulkhead. Access to the railway grade is by crossing the bulkhead and climbing a short embankment. Turning to your right (west) will take you to the gorge trestle bridge and back to Hwy 3. Following the rail bed to your left (east) will bring you to Hwy 395, and on to the long trestle bridge. |
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KETTLE VALLEY TRESTLE BRIDGE This hike includes crossing the Kettle River downstream of the falls on a 505 foot trestle bridge (Kettle River Bridge #5, now the Smitten Trestle), one of the longest on the Canadian Pacific Railway, which was redecked in 2004 as a joint military exercise with the CME and British and New Zealand troops. While approaching the bridge, the townsite of Cascade is to your north. To access this section, take the 395 turnoff and head south. You'll see a yellow service building to the west where the Trans Canada Trail crosses the highway, and a small parking area to the left (east) at the trail entrance. The bridge is an easy 15 minute hike along the old railway grade. Towering above the river basin below, the view from the bridge is stunning! The trail continues on around the valley, making its way up to Santa Rosa, with plenty of scenic vistas along the way. |
This stretch will take you down a gentle decline on a scenic tour of the valley overlooking the Kettle River and farmlands as you wind around and down to the long trestle bridge. The first viewpoint is about a 5 minute walk, where Christina Creek joins the Kettle River, with the highway bridge in the distance. Further on, the long trestle comes into view across the fields. Great for a quick hike or bike ride. Turn off Hwy 3 and follow Santa Rosa 1.5 km until immediately before you reach the first switchback, and look for the parking area and information kiosk to your left. Cross Santa Rosa and follow the the path marked by the yellow trailhead sign. |
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KETTLE VALLEY RAILWAY - SOUTH Another of our most popular short hikes, this stretch of the trail winds through the trees along the mountainside, opening to a vantage point overlooking the town with panoramic views of Christina Lake. You can see the newly railed sections above the Time & Place Pub from the highway. Formerly the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, it became part of the Trans Canada Trail in 2004. Turn off Hwy 3 and follow Santa Rosa 1.5 km until just before you reach the first switchback, and look for the parking area and information kiosk to your left. A public washroom is also available here. |
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This stretch gives you the same panoramic views as the previous, with the entrance off Fife Road. After a short walk though the trees, the trail opens to a gully where Sutherland creek flows beneath. At a moderate pace, the first viewpoint is roughly twenty-five minutes in with two more vantage points not much further on. From here you can see the south end of the lake and Christina Lake village, and well up the highway to the south. Bring your camera! Drive up Fife Road to the Trans Canada Trail crossing, which you'll find just around the bend from an old log barn, and landmarked by the original Fife station building to your left. Enter the trail through the gates to the right (south). |
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KETTLE VALLEY RAILWAY - NORTH This hike will take you to one of the remnants from the smelter days on the KVR, the old limestone loading tower. Drive up Fife Road to the Trans Canada Trail crossing, which you'll find just around the bend from an old log barn, and landmarked by the original Fife station building to your left. Head north past the building on the railway grade for around 15 minutes, where you will spot the loading tower peeking out from behind the trees. |
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At 25 km for the full trip, this leg of the trail is only for extremely dedicated hikers, as it will take a full day to reach Fife Road, but makes for an excellent half day biking trip. The rewards include passing through Paulson Tunnel, crossing the old Snowslide railway bridge and finally the ore loading tower as you near the end of this stretch. Follow Hwy 3 north out of Christina Lake towards Castlegar. 100m before the Paulson Bridge take the Paulson Detour Rd. up then down into the valley. This leads to the access point for the Trans Canada Trail. |
Paulson Detour to Castlegar
Prepare for a memorable ride. This section takes you up to the summit past the Peter Verigan memorial and on to Bulldog Tunnel, the longest on the CPR (1 km - be sure to bring lighting!) 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. Follow Hwy 3 north out of Christina Lake towards Castlegar. 100 m before the Paulson Bridge take the Paulson Detour Rd. up then down into the valley. This leads to the access point for the Trans Canada Trail. |
