Golden Mile Hiking

Golden Mile Hiking Trail

The Golden Mile Hiking Trail should be exceptionally colourful in April and May. Head south of Oliver on Highway 97 and turn right at the Tinhorn Creek Winery sign. The Tinhorn Creek Winery is the Trailhead for this hike. It would be a courtesy for you to check in with the wine shop before you head out. Then on the return it’s always a good idea to slake your thirst a bit by doing a wee bit of tasting. I ended up bringing home a nice pinot noir. (Note there is now a restaurant for further relaxation.)

Head up the parking lot, hang a right and then a left to the top of the vineyards. Trail signs mark the way. At the top of the vineyard head left again and soon you will see the directions signs to head up hill through the gates. The first low gate is a snake gate and can easily be stepped over. Distance covered to this stage 774 metres.

Soon you go through a deer fence; make sure to latch it once you are through. Once through the fence the trail goes across the side hill at an easy grade. Bunch grass and ponderosa pine and some sumac bushes are the prime vegetation. As you climb you get increasingly good views of the Valley south to Osoyoos Lake and to the north of Oliver and east to Mount Baldy.

There were several trails branching off along the side hill, but I kept to the upper one, passing several “Golden Mile 10k Trail” signs. Now on the bench I arrived at another marker on an old road (1.1 km from the start according to my GPS). A short 140 metre jaunt to the south brought me to the old Golden Mile Stamp Mill site in the Tinhorn Creek draw. There is a lot of history represented by these rockwork foundations.

There were several trails I could have explored, but I back tracked to the bench land and headed north, enjoying the easy going and open scenery. It was just about 2 km before I spotted a trail sign on this old road. From the valley floor one would not realize there is such open and level land up here. Once in a while it passed through trees, but mostly wide-open grass and sage benches and hillsides. Down below the Fairview Golf Course can be seen.

At this point the road began to climb a bit with a few small side roads: keep to the main track. 960 metres from that point I came to a range fence. I’m not sure if it is private land or grazing lease. In any case, make sure leave the gate as you find it. In the future, I would turn back here as I found this the most enjoyable part of the hike.

Once through the gate it was 580 metres straight ahead ignoring side roads until I reached the Fairview draw and the Fairview Road. From this point it was about 1 km to the junction of the Fairview Road and the Old Golf Course Road. This skirts the original town site as it heads south toward the golf course and down to road 7. Follow road 7 south until you reach the Tinhorn Winery Road and then back up to the parking lot. Following this route the last section is uphill when you may be a little weary, which is why my next time I would stick to the upper section.

Still, whichever way you do this hike take a few moments to sample some of the fare at the Tinhorn Winery Tasting Room. Happy hiking and sipping! For British Columbia residents don't forget to renew your fishing and hunting licences.