Trail Blazing

The late Carl Trautman

Trail Blazing

I received a call from the late Carl Trautman in the mid “80’s” with an offer to cut some trails for the Okanagan Mountain Parks Society. A very fortuitous call as I was between jobs at that time. Needless to say I jumped at the chance to work outdoors and with a good friend. A quick trip to the Employment Office to fill out forms and we were set for an enjoyable Fall season in the hills.

Rising early we would drive past Glenn Fir and then turn off the Chute Lake Road to the parking lot at the southern side of the Okanagan Mountain Park. Each morning the three of us would set out armed with chainsaw, axe, picks and shovels to establish a trail into Baker Lake. This was already roughly flagged and took advantage of several sections of old logging roads.

At the parking lot there was already a footbridge over the creek and an outhouse already established. Work progress very swiftly as we first followed and old road, but soon we angled off through the bench land and through a little denser stand before hitching up to another old road. So it went some easy sections and other sections that required much more cutting and digging. After a week we were far enough from the vehicle that we stashed the gear in the evenings taking only the gas and oil cans to refill before the next morning.

It was good physical work with the added benefit of all that clear fresh air and the pleasure of being in the company of cheeky squirrels and chipmunks. Ruffle grouse would whistle and scurry around before bursting forth in a noisy low weaving flight. The huge blue grouse on the other hand would thunder up into the trees well ahead of us. Deer track were everywhere, but usually we only caught a glimpse or two of them in distance.

One morning we came across a deer carcass, a fresh cougar kill in the middle of that trail. We dragged it off to the side and continued on our way. Each morning for the next four days we dragged the carcass off and each evening the cougar would stubbornly drag it back to that specific spot on the trail. In the end it was the smaller scavengers cleaning and spreading the bones around that settled our little dispute.

Eventually we completed the first part of the project and reached Baker Lake and the little cabin that would be a cozy shelter for overnight hikers. Since the weather was still holding we then back tracked and began a side trail towards Divide Lake. Unfortunately we were not able to complete this trail before the snows flew.
Since that date more trails have been laid out and we had some great hikes here before the Okanagan Mountain fire. The trail had been completed to Divide Lake an here too there was a very pleasant cabin for shelter. One of my projects for the coming year will be to check out these trails and to see the effects the fire has had on them.

In the past I’ve met hikers from as far away as Germany and Australia on these trails. Sharing the hills brings both an awareness of the beauty of our back country and adds to the economic health of our region. This awareness is perhaps one of the best protections our natural habitat has in its favour. Perhaps we should consider a Trail Blazer Club to mark and maintain trails and access into these beautiful spots. Why wait until we loose access as we nearly did at the Skaha Bluffs.

K.V.R. - Naramata to Chute Lake

KVR Naramata to Chute Lake

The Kettle Valley Railway or Trans-Canada Trail from Smethurst Road to the old Chute Lake Station is 28.9 kilometres. Most of this section is multi-use, so please keep trail etiquette in mind. Once you leave Naramata there are no amenities until you reach the lodge at Chute Lake, so take plenty of water and trail snacks. (During the hot months Voulunteers have set up a watering station near the rock ovens)

It’s four kilometres of beautiful lake views to the small tunnel. Just before reaching the tunnel, the Horseshoe Trail heads uphill to the next level of the old railway line coming out at the Rock Oven Park. If my memory is correct, there is an oven a short distance along this trail.

Once through the tunnel, the lake views gradually become less spectacular and more treed. At 8.2 kilometres the old track bed loops around and heads back south. Here there is easy access from the Chute Lake road, which passes only metres from the trail. Once the Glenfir Station was only a few hundred metres further along.

This level, while a bit lacking in the spectacular lake views, passes the Rock Oven Park, which has a good collection of ovens made from rock which were used to cook for the railway work crews. Most are in remarkably good condition. These are situated between where the power lines and natural gas lines (11.7 km) cross and the north branch of Smethurst Road (13.2 km) crosses the track.

Shortly before reaching the lower end of the Adra Tunnel at the 17.6 km mark, there is a road off to the left taking you up to the upper entrance and the South Fork of Smethurst Road which goes over top of the tunnel to a network of roads above.
Continuing north from the tunnel the remains of the Adra Station are found at the 19.3 km mark. Here one can see the foundations of the station and the water tower and the odd domestic flower still can still be seen blooming. There is also another road that heads off up the hill to join the network of roads that connect with the south branch of Smethurst Road.
The next access point at 20.6 km is the north fork of Smethurst Road. Taking this rough downhill road will bring you back to the middle level of the trail and the Rock Oven Park. Heading up the road is quite rough going and could be tricky under either wet or extremely dry conditions. This would take you to Naramata and Elinor Lakes before coming out at Chute Lake.

There is a road that crosses at 27.3 km that leads uphill to a communications tower and downhill a few metres to the Chute Lake Road. The next 2.4 km of line crosses many small trestles until the Elinor Lake Forest Service Road intersects at 29.7 km. At this point you can spot the lake and resort through the trees.
Once over the bridge you are onto the Chute Lake Resort Property and the location of the old Chute Lake Station. This is a great place to stop and refresh and perhaps rent a boat to try your luck at catching some nice rainbow trout for supper. Or, many check out the accommodations for a mid-week or weekend getaway.

Early in the spring you might want to keep you eyes out for fiddlehead ferns, particularly near where the trail crosses creeks. Later in the year there are some good wild raspberry patches, and once the first frost has hit in the fall, wild rose hips are ready to pick. The wild rose hips can be used for either teas or for rose hip jelly; our attempt turned out like wild rose taffy, but I’m sure the jelly would be good too.
　

K.V.R. East from Penticton

Kettle Valley Railway Trail East

The Kettle Valley Railway portion of the Trans-Canada Trail from Main Street in Penticton to where it crosses the Naramata Road makes a nice easy hike or bike ride. The 1.5 kilometre section from Main Street just north of Nelson Avenue to Vancouver hill is paved and easily accessible at many points as streets and avenues intercept the trail. The grade is gentle but steady and relatively open as it passes the schoolyards and Penticton Creek and then climbs along the banks to the benches. There are a few benches where one can sit and enjoy the view of the city and lake. This section is restricted to walking and biking, but I would hope wheelchairs are allowed.

Later in summer there is also a wild walnut tree or two that you might be lucky enough to sample. My experience with wild walnuts has been that they are superb, very meaty and tasty.

Heading north across Vancouver Hill a housing development has taken over a portion of the old railway bed, so you travel to the end of Vancouver Place where you can once more catch the old railway bed. Here the path becomes hard-pack gravel and is still restricted from motorized vehicle use. Again, I’m hoping exceptions will be made for electric and hand powered wheelchairs.
The next couple of kilometres travel near the edge of the bench with lovely lake views, coming at last to the Lakeview Cemetery. Here it becomes a little more rolling for about a kilometre as it has been slightly moved to accommodate some orchards and vineyards. This section takes you past Carder Road and onto a bridge at Randolph Creek Gully.

This bridge is a fitting monument to the donors and volunteers who made it possible. It is this spirit that really adds to the Okanagan experience. Thank you all.From the Randolph Bridge to the Naramata Road is around 1.3 kilometres, crossing Lochore and Danvenport Roads. This section run through the heart of orchards.

Across the Naramata Road lies a section eagerly hiked in late March and April, by people aching for the taste of wild asparagus. Over the next 1.4 kilometres it passes above the Hillside Cellars Winery past Riddle Road and on to Sutherland Road. On my last outing I did not see any signs of the wild cherry tree near Riddle Road. There are lots of marmots to be seen sunning themselves and always evidence of a good deer population.

Between Sutherland and Arawana Roads this 4.6 kilometre section has moved away from the agricultural area and is a little wilder. Still, I’ve found a few wild apricots along here, but never traveled when they were right for picking. Once past the gravel pit the trail becomes more multi-use with vehicular traffic permitted as well. There is lots of room at Arawana Road for vehicle parking.

The next two kilometres to Smethurst Road features a little washout at the creek that might give a little trouble to an inexperience biker, but one can always walk the bike through the gulley. Smethurst Road has ample parking room for one to park to hike either north or south.

This whole section, though not greatly built up, is not too far from may small wineries and some great eateries in Naramata. Many a time we hiked trails in this area and refreshed ourselves at the Camp Kreek Station Pub. Other times we’ve managed to fit in a wine tasting session at one of the local wineries. One in particular, the Elephant Island Winery, is a bit unusual in that it produces fruit wines. Wouldn’t mind a bottle of that wine right now!

Happy hiking.

Worms Wanted

Worms Wanted

I was out with a friend just recently who was heading out ice fishing and didn't have any worms. That reminded me of this article I had published a while ago.

You suddenly have some free time for that fishing trip to that special lake, but no time to dig or buy worms. Not to worry, you can have your own little worm farm close at hand for any time you need them.

Worm boxes can be kept in the yard, shed or even in the house. I had mine in the shed, but being out of sight and out of the way it got neglected and I lost them. My younger brother, on the other hand, had his right in the house and had good luck. They were not even smelly.

I like the idea of a handy one indoors: no going out to the compost at -15 Celsius or in freezing rain; no stumbling about in the dark or trying to dig them without disturbing the garden or the neighbours in the wee hours of the morning.

Basically all you need is a fair-sized Rubbermaid bin with a good lid. Drill a few holes in the top and near the top of the sides to let some air in. Casting, which are good for fertilizer, will collect at the bottom, so you might want to operate two alternating containers or make a removable section for collecting the castings. You might also consider a few drainage holes to prevent pooling of bad water and put your system on a tray.
Line the bin with newspaper or some natural fabric. The worms will eventually eat this, but by then they will be at home in the container. Next fill it about a third full of dry bedding material; this is where the worms will go after feeding. You could use organic potting mix, leaf mulch or even shredded newspaper. Soak it and then let it drain before adding the worms.

Reds, tigers and blues are the most popular composting worms, but some nice healthy ones from the garden should be added, too. It is good to have a variety, and the best ones naturally will thrive better. Add the worms early in the day so they have time to get oriented and to make their initial burrows down into the bedding. Once they have disappeared you can slowly start adding the feed after picking out any worms that were not healthy enough to burrow down.

It is amazing what these little fellows will eat: any vegetable peelings, apple and pear cores, leafy discards, tea bags, coffee grounds, bread crusts, and egg shells. Yes, even left over soup, and water from cooked vegetables. Be careful adding water and liquids though, these should be gently sprinkled on to prevent collapsing the burrows.

Depending on the size of your operation you could even compost most paper and cardboard containers, just avoid the ones that have be plasticized. I understand they will even tackle phone books, but don’t expect your little workers to do miracle work.

I expect you would have to also have a larger bin outside if you want to compost yard waste such as lawn clippings, leaves and discarded flowers and vegetables. It is said that you can also use pet waste as long as it has been a month since the pet has been de-wormed. You wouldn’t want to de-worm your worm box!
Although Citrus peels take longer to compost, they are ok, but you would want to avoid woody material and large pits like peaches. Oh, yes! You know how hard those hot peppers were on your hands and lips? I’d give them a pass too.

The main thing is to keep your container moist, but not sodden. This will keep the worms happy and stop the ants from moving in, as ants only love the dry spots.
Hmm, now once I get the house in shape, I just wonder if Tricia will allow me to….

Note: Tricia has since moved into care which is why I've not been out all that much this year. Next year will see many more new places explored and perhaps some articles on survival if the interest is there.

Using Stocking Records

Stocking Records

The next few months finds fishermen planning for next years fishing expeditions. Understanding the stocking records can give one an inkling of what to expect at a specific lake. 2N releases may reproduce however the 3N and AF3N releases are specially treated and are considered non productive. The 3N may contain both Male and Female, but the AF3N are all female fish.

The sterilization renders them unable to cross with any native stock in a specific body of water. These fish tend to grow faster as the energy that would be spent spawning goes into growth, although the males (trust them) still think they can and act accordingly.

The creation of the All-Female and sterile stock is an extremely expensive process and to a lay-man like me sounds very complicated. These fish mature slower and provide a longer growing season.

Another thing to consider is the size of the release both in quantity and size of the fish. Fry releases are from the current years hatch, generally under 4 grams and require more time to mature, while the fingerlings are generally about 3 to 4 inches long and up to about 40 grams. Then there is the catchable release of approximately 250 grams.

The strains of trout also differ in growth and inborn habits. The Pennask strain do well when not in competition with other species and although slow growing reaches a fairly decent size. It tends to be most active at dusk, is a good jumper, coming readily to flies as it is an insect eater.

The Blackwater river rainbow are carnivorous, eating other fish as well as insects, snail and molluscs. They are shoal feeders and fairly active in daytime. It is relatively fast growing and generally stocked where they cannot migrate.

Tzenzaicut Lake rainbow trout are another strain that is piscivorous (eating other small fish) as well as feeding on insects. Darker than the Pennask and Blackwater strains, it is an exceptional leaper and fighter that is most active as dusk and feeds better in colder water.

Ah! The Gerrard rainbows, these feed very heavily on small fish, particularly kokanee, and grow big. Fish have been caught over 16 kg. They like large, cool, deep lakes.

The Fraser Valley domesticated rainbow trout feed heavily on invertebrates and are quite fast growing, doing very well in productive lakes. Although not jumpers they are good fighters.

Eastern Brook Trout, while not native, have been quite prominent in some areas, but these are not being used as much anymore. The ones that were in Taylor Lake grew to a fairly decent size and put up a nice struggle on a fly rod. These are a very voracious fish easily caught on fly or lures.

Kokanee also do not seem to be stocked as much. This landlocked salmon is a fiesty fighter and very tasty. They take readily to flies or lures and have very soft mouths so require careful playing.

Of course, the important thing is the long-term survival rate for all the stocking that takes place. This depends on many things: winter kill due to early and long ice conditions depleting the oxygen supply to the preditors taking their toll. Careful handling of any fish released is also very important. My rule of thumb is that if there is any chance it will not survive, it goes into the creel limit.

Properly maintained stocked lakes are a great benefit to both the local anglers and could be increasingly important to the tourist industry. There are many small lakes out there capable of producing some great fishing given the right care. One in particular between Taylor Lake and Barslow Canyon was just loaded with shrimp when I checked it out.

Perhaps the strain that does not require a stream for spawning would be the answer in some of these waters. Something to think about. I understand there is a strain of trout in the Cathederal Park that spawn on the shoreline.

Yes, time to start checking the tackle and dreaming of the next seasons open water fishing. I'm going to try to hit the Eneas Lakes and Barton Lake.

Alpine Touring

Alpine touring on Skis

When one thinks of skiing, it is usually alpine and cross-country skiing that immediately come to mind. Alpine skiing on runs serviced by lifts and cross-country skiing on prepared tracks are the most common skiing activities. There are also ski touring and ski jumping to consider, but there are unfortunately there are not many hills with these facilities developed in this area.

Ski touring will fall into basically two types; Telmark and Alpine touring. Telmark equipment is very similar to cross-country and the downhill turns are managed with a loose heal.

Alpine touring uses a free lifting heel for traveling flats and for climbing, but also allows you to clamp your heel down for an alpine run. The boots are lighter and more flexible than normal for alpine skiing and the skies are sturdier with more surface area than for cross-country skiing. This large surface area gives better floatation in the deep powder of the back county. Steel edges allow you to turn when encountering the inevitable heavy spring crusts or descending a hard packed run if necessary.

Its not uncommon when alpine touring to spend a day trekking up a mountain in the back country for one glorious run down in the afternoon. Sounds like a lot of work but I have wonderful memories of many such trips. Even more memorable are the trips that we have spent either in an alpine cabin or an improvised shelter. Then you can enjoy some fabulous moonlight runs in the high alpine area. Unfortunately these mountain shelters are getting fewer and further between due to vandals and government policies.

Brent Mountain would be a good day trip, or, if you can take supplies to the lookout cabin, for the weekend. There are some upper slopes which could be subject to small avalanches so like any back-country travel in the winter use caution. Other dangers to look out for are trees and snags covered by snow and the depressions left around the trunks of larger trees. Going in a group or with at least two people is always wise. There are some die-hard types that will do this alone but it is definitely not recommended.

The lookout at Apex Mountain is gone now, but this mountain has some great terrain, even some extreme slopes on the back side. A quick way up would be to get a lift ticket for one run on the Apex ski lift and then ski the saddle between Beaconsfield and Apex. Yes, the Apex ski resort is actually on Beaconsfield Mountain. I believe the old cabin near the top of Beaconsfield Mountain is currently owned by the Boy Scouts.
The Fairview and Mount Kobau between Cawston, Oliver and Osoyoos is also a good area with a good mixture of wooded and meadow areas. There is still an old lookout building at the top of Kobau. Some of this area is private, notably the area above Richter Lake and near the top of Fairview road on the Eastern slope. Remember to leave only your track behind, take all of your garbage home.

Equipment has changed dramatically over the years and you may expect to pay from between $1000.00 and $2000.00 for a complete outfit. Local selection was very limited, but I checked out
www.mec.ca the website for Mountain Equipment Co-op. Products are harder to visualize on the web, but you can always request a catalogue or drop into their store when you are next at the coast. Mountain Magic Equipment is another good catalogue to check out at www.mountainmagic.com. . Old and simple cable bindings are a thing of the past, but I still believe the thrill of enjoying expanses of untracked snow is worth checking this sport out.

Dig out the snowshoes

DIG OUT THE SNOWSHOES

It’s that time of the year again, snow beginning to pile up in the hills, time to put away the summer hiking shoes. For those who cannot afford the costs of alpine skiing there are two low cost alternatives: winter boots and snowshoes. During the next few months when the low cloud sets in, take a short trip up the hills and you can spend a day in the lovely sunshine.

One can hike quite comfortably in snow up to knee depth with the snow pack style of boots. The felt liners keep the feet nice and warm while the high tops with the gaiter tops prevent wet feet from snow getting down into the boots. It is easy to work up a sweat ploughing through deep snow, so watch out for chills and hypothermia. These boots can range from $30.00 to around $140.00. Just remember to get a pair that is not too small since fit is really important - without adequate room the feet will be susceptible to the cold.

Snowshoes come in many styles and are priced from around a $100.00 to about $200.00. Take the time looking at them and match the harness and foot-ware you will be using. I’m a fan of the older styles, but they are a bit harder to find and I believe the new harnessing systems are easier to use. I’m also a firm believer in using adjustable hiking poles that allow you to attach ski pole baskets.

My first outing of last season was a 4.5 km snowshoe at the Carmi Ski Trails, six km up the Beaverdell Road off the Carmi Road. There was one vehicle in the ditch, a reminder to keep using winter tires in season and to drive with care
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The parking lot was fairly busy with vehicles of tobogganers, snowmobilers, snowshoers and cross-county skiers. (Unfortunately since then the party goers have really made a mess of the parking lot.) The outdoor toilets were not longer there and across the road the map of the trails had also disappeared. I was later to find out that the other signs at the intersections had likewise vanished, a real shame as encouraging the use of our outdoors can only benefit the local economy.

There were a few changes since my last trip to the area and I was disappointed in not making the long loop to check if the shelter is still there overlooking the valley and lake. (I checked it out this Fall and it is still there) Instead, I followed the ski tracks, which wandered further up hill and back towards the peat bog road. After a little over two kilometres I came across a few windfalls and with aching legs (Yes I’m a bit out of shape) I decided it would be wiser to retrace my steps back to the truck.

There are many old roads once you pass the cattle guard near the Lost Moose Lodge that form a whole network wending its way through the trees with interspersed meadows and clear-cuts. Higher up you run into more open areas. One in particular I like is south west of the Ellis Dam. Here you can enjoy lots of sunshine and the terrain is fairly level.

We also used to spend a few weekends in the area just south of White Lake behind the observatory. There were some nice toboggan slopes here as well.

If you would like to combine a little ice-fishing with your snowshoe trip Taylor Lake and Ripley Lake are two destinations you might like to try. I have to admit that Howard Lake also has an appeal to me. Several times in the fall I have tried to introduce some friends to this special lake only to see if freezing over before our eyes. It would be a long trek though so I had better work on my conditioning.

Allendale Lake

The first weekend of summer and yet there was a slight frost on the jeep and the picnic table as I stepped out of the tent trailer. Mist was rising off of Solco Lake, not too inviting right now after a night with a clod nose sticking out of a sleeping bag. Blue skies and fluffy white clouds promised that the day should soon warm up. Since the canoe was still on the jeep it seemed like a good day to check out Allendale Lake.

Once back to the Weyerhaeuser Road we turned north and then just before the eighteen kilometre mark took one of the roads heading off to the East. Luck was with us and we spotted a whitetail doe along with the usual gophers, chipmunks and squirrels. The five kilometres into the lake was in excellent condition and soon we were checking out the public recreational area near the dam. There were masses of wild strawberries in blossom. Depending on the weather in about three weeks a good feed of strawberries could be an enjoyable addition to the days fishing.

The camp sites were reasonably clean, which is nice to see as this an most forestry recreation sites are user maintained. The picnic tables were also in good shape as I assume the outdoor toilets were as well. Further up the lake we could see the private resort. Both facilities were quite busy. Once out on the lake we could see several newer cabins and a few motor homes or trailers at the resort.

It’s not a large lake, but has a good reputation for producing well. Early in the season water levels are reasonably high and it’s worth checking the areas with old trees from the flooding down along the shoreline. Great areas to fly fish, however with four people in the canoe we stuck with spinning outfits with floats and flies. First we checked out the area furthest from the dam. Usually these areas have more shallows and offer some good feeding grounds.

Fishing was not fast, but we caught and released a few small fish and one of my partners landed three between eleven and twelve inches long. Just enough to give us our first taste of trout for the season that evening. Several people were out in belly boats and a couple in light kayaks. It was nice and quite with no motors, very relaxing.

This is one of the many lakes that has a big draw down in the fall leaving a shore line that is a bit muddy and not quite so inviting. Incentive enough for fishermen to get proactive towards water conservation programs. Early season fishing offers the most scenic and aesthetically pleasing experience. Later in the season as these lake experience draw down the surface area are greatly reduced and the fish are more concentrated. As with most lakes of the higher elevations fishing should be good now right through to freeze up.

If you are tired of fishing there are also several old roads in the area that make for pleasant strolls. You might even consider packing a rod and seeing if you can locate the small dam located between Allendale and Solco Lakes. I have not heard any reports of fishing there, but it is on my list of destinations to check out.

Now that I have a GPS I’ll be able to locate some of these little gems off the beaten path. All I have to do is learn how to use it and find the time for exploring. Watch for reports on these in the future.

Tuzo Lake

Tuzo Lake

Tuzo Lake is not far from Solco Lake so I like to check it out every so often when I’m camped at Solco Lake. This is one lake that is easily missed as you can not see it until you are right at the shore. Once a one fish per day lake, the limit has been raised to six per day since the access road was blocked off. (note this has since been opened up..A move with which I agree. However not sure it if is legal or not.)

From Solco head back out to the Tuzo forestry road and turn right. Soon the main road forks take the left fork and ignore all the smaller side roads. Eventually this road loops back across Tuzo Creek before heading back east. At this point keep straight ahead for about half a kilometre where the road is blocked off with cement blocks and a deep ditch. Last fall the road was in excellent condition up to this point, still always be prepared for the unexpected when travelling the back country.

Find a good parking spot and start hiking. It’s a good kilometre so you can either carry in a belly boat or canoe, however this lake can be quite handily fished from shore. Keep to the left where the road splits and soon you come to an old log landing. Off to the right of the clearing there is a short tail into the lake, without really knowing where the lake was we were very lucky to spot it. The trees are fairly thick and you nearly have to be at the lake before you can see it. The last time in there was a light plastic boat left there, however, you should take a life jacket if you are planning on using it.

The lake itself is mainly fairly shallow with some good weed cover and not very much in the way of draw down over the summer. Early in the season when the lake is at its highest level there is a shallow bay at the far end. Several areas of the shoreline have good areas of water lilies. The bottom seems to be good for wading to get a little closer to the action and give you room to use a fly rod. Of course the spinning outfit with float and fly is always a good bet.

Good fly choices are, mosquitoes, shrimp and Tom thumbs, however it never hurts to experiment with different choices. I have used tiny clips for changing flies. They work not too badly and if you are having trouble with tying flies on you might want to give them a try. I’m digging mine out of my tackle box next time out.

This is good whitetail country so I usually do my fishing here late in the fall. One fall day I was casting from shore while ice crystals formed in the guides, while a fire crackled behind me for warming my hands. A cold proposition, but every few casts were rewarded with a nice sized trout. It was either catch fish or freeze on a stand waiting for white tail deer.

The entrance to the trail at the landing is an ideal spot for a tree stand overlooking some old logging cuts. The young growth of these logging cuts are quite thick and it is hard to see anything in the brush. A well place stand well up in the trees gives you a much more commanding view of the area. Hunting with a partner you could take turns on the stand and at the lake. This would allow for stretching and warming up of hands and toes.

Elenor and Naramata Lakes

Elenor Lake

Elenor Lake

Naramata Lake

Naramata Lake

Elinor and Naramata Lakes

I zeroed the odometer at the corner of the Chute Lake Road and Smetherst Road since I planned on a circular route as I investigated Eleanor and Naramata Lakes. The first part of the trip is really easy, 6.4 kilometres along the Chute Lake Road before reaching the first major fork where you keep to the right. Just past where the pavement ends at 9.2 kilometres the Glen Fir Road takes off to the left and soon we pass the switch back of the old Kettle Valley Railway.

At 16.7 kilometres the Chute Lake Road takes a sharp right hand turn and crosses the Kettle Valley Railway bed onto the Elinor Lake Forest Service Road. Just past the Chute Lake Recreation site this road splits: the left hand road heads towards Big Meadow Lake and the Nutall Lake trail, the right hand road continues to Eleanor Lake.

Soon I arrived at Elinor Lake at 19.2 kilometres, where the left hand road goes across the dam and heads in the direction of Big Meadow Lake. I parked, took a few pictures, broke out the fishing tackle and soon caught a few smaller rainbow trout. Near the east end of the dam a little stream cascaded over a small rock outcrop into the lake.

I then carried on the west side of the lake. At 19.5 kilometres a small road took off to the left to a small recreation site, followed at 19.8 kilometres by another road on the left leading to a fair sized recreation site. A little further along there is a sign that the road has been decommissioned, a practice with which I do not agree. At 20.4 kilometres, there was another road off to the left onto the dam at this side of the lake. Again I stopped and fished for a while, getting a few strikes.

Elinor Lake is quite narrow and most of the shoreline is hard to fish from the shore. I would recommend a canoe or a belly boat here and although most fish are small you can expect the odd one up to 13 or 14 inches.

Shortly after leaving this dam, Naramata Lake began appearing off to the east and at 21.4 kilometres the road split again, with the left hand branch heading onto the dam. This lake is much wider than Eleanor Lake and more of the shoreline is fishable, but getting through the bush can present a problem. I spent an hour or so here hooking up with many smaller fish and one decent keeper.

There was a belly boat further up the lake and I did manage to talk to a couple in an aluminum boat who, were having some success. They had already landed 10 fish and soon limited out at 12.

At 22 kilometres there is a small road off to the right. Keeping to the main right hand branch I soon ran into some fairly rough road. A person might consider going out the other way past Chute Lake. However I like to explore. At 25.3 kilometres I crossed the Kettle Valley Railway line. Turning right would take me to Chute Lake or left to the big tunnel on the railway line.

I crossed over though and kept heading down for about another 3 kilometres to the next level of the Kettle Valley Railway and the rock ovens park. I like this part in particular because of the large trees that have escaped the forest company saws. Reaching the next level, I did a small jog left before heading right off the tracks heading for Smetherst Road. I just got a little way down before I came upon a windfall blocking the road. As my back was already giving me pain, I turned around and went once more to the old railway bed and turned north to join the Chute Lake Road at Glen Fir.

It’s a good idea to know your own limits and that of you vehicle and to keep an alternate route in mind when travelling the back roads

Sighting In

SIGHTING IN

Each Fall as I head up into the hills, I’m amazed at the number of target I see set up in the branches of trees. Not even on the trunks, but in the branches of trees backed by some fine hunting grounds. Yes I’ve prowled the game trails behind many of these spots finding some nice rubs.

I would strongly encourage those sighting in rifles to find a better spot with a nice soft dirt bank behind the targets. I can understand wanting to be accurate, but not and the risk of injuring some innocent hunter or hiker in the area.

With ever increasing costs of everything including ammunition I’ve come up with my own method of sighting in which costs nothing but a few minutes. How effective is it? Well I like to say that my last six shots from my 30-06 have taken six deer. That is true as far as it goes, but unfortunately two of those were collisions with deer on my way to work in Oliver.

Bore sighting works very well with scoped rifles, there are even laser tipped shells that a person can use, centring the cross hairs on the red dot, usually about 25 metres. These will come with directions.
Personally I’ve had excellent results by removing the bolt and sighting down the bore holding the rifle solidly and then looking through the scope. I use a near target to set the horizontal cross hair and a distant target to set the vertical cross hair. This works well enough that I now use either a neck or head shot. This drops the animal immediately and insures a high recovery rate.

I was taught that shot placement should be just behind the front shoulder in the heart and lung area. Experience has show though that a fatal shot in this area can still allow the animal to travel hundreds of metres, which is rough thick country with lots of deer sign can result in one lost buck. Luck better than tracking skills has saved me several nice bucks.

Unfortunately the one that bothers me is the huge one up in Barslow Canyon. The well placed shot at about 20 metres was sure to bring the animal down. It took off though the thick bush and giving it about half and hour to seize up. (Again I was taught to wait a while because spooking it too soon after it lay down would cause it to go much further.) I picked up the trail of huge spots of blood in the snow.

With two hours of light left I was fairly confident, however the tracks continued down to below the snow level and then the blood trail petered out to one tiny drop every 15 metres or so. Hard to keep on the right track in the heavily populated area. Just before dark I did come across it, but it bolted away again. Very surprising as I pick up a piece of rib on the tail about the size of my finger.

The next morning I returned with to hunting partners and a dog. We did not have any luck in recovering the animal. This and two other time where I nearly lost an animal caused me to rethink my shot placement. I’m happy to say I’ve have great results since that time.

Good hunting and I wish you freezers full of venison.

Burnell - Sawmill Lake

Burnell - Sawmill Lake

It’s nice to wake up to a beautiful sunny day and look forward to getting up into the hills. I whipped through my chores and headed south to pick up Edda Fox and then her kids Stephanie and Aaron from school. (Yes, this was a couple years ago)  We had planned to spend the afternoon exploring around Sawmill Lake, also known as Burnell Lake.

Heading north on the Fairview - White Lake Road we were surrounded with hills white with Saskatoon berry blooms. Thoughts quickly turned to Saskatoon jelly and pies, but that will be a while off yet. About half way between the Fairview and Secrest Road the road to Sawmill headed off to the west over a little cattle guard. There is a large sign asking users to stick to the roads and not to litter, but unfortunately not all people respect this.

We took the first major intersection to the left. I was trying to use the GPS to fine- tune my directions, but sometimes these finer details do go wrong. The next major intersection I knew went to either side of the lake, but the left hand fork was the easiest to travel. we went past a corral and finally arrived at the lake.

The lake is well posted as a catch and release fishery. Other regulations to note are the December 1^st to March 31^st closure to all fishing, as well artificial fly with single barb-less hook for the balance of the year with a bait ban in place. Note that the release fishery applies to trout and char only. It appears that pumpkinseed and smallmouth bass have also been recorded here, but I’ve yet to see them.

Records show an annual stocking of between 200 and 500 fish a year, but the aeration project has worked wonders in maintaining some great fishing. This does create a bit of a hazard for those venturing out on the ice as to the thin spots that can develop around the fences. Asked point blank, the people of the National Park Feasibility Study advised me that stocking would no longer be allowed in this and other lakes if the park is established.

This was not yet the first weekend in May and I calculate that there were at least twenty parties settled in for a weekend of fishing. We, however, were just going to walk around the lake.

Buttercups and spring beauty flowers abounded and I noticed a few plants that I think would prove to be rice root, though it was still to early for the rice root to be in bloom though. I also took some pictures of some very tiny flowers that I will have to identify, as well as a downy woodpecker. No painted turtles were out sunbathing this day, but we used to see lots of them.

There were many spots to camp and lots of outdoor loos around the lake, so although there were lots of people it did not seem all that crowded. Alas we did spot a couple of old mattresses and picked up a fairly full garbage bag of bottles and cans.

As we sat eating our lunch we watched one angler play and land a fish approximately 18 inches in length -- a nice fish on any lake. I spent some time talking to a couple who told me it is quite common to land fish around the five pound mark, with some larger ones sometimes coming to the hook. Being catch and release, he said some anglers are on a first name basis with many of the fish.

This is definitely not the south Okanagan’s best kept secret, but if you want a reasonably easy to get at lake with large fish and haven’t tried it yet, do give it a whirl.

Tight Lines and keep backing the garbage out.

Garnet Valley Dam

Garnet Valley Dam

Perhaps the easiest way to get to the Garnet Valley Dam is to head north on Victoria Road in Summerland. Continue right to the end and then turn left on Jones Flat road. Soon Jones Flat road swings north, joining Garnet Valley Road. From this junction it is about 6.4 kilometres of paved road and 3.6 kilometres unpaved road to the Garnet Valley Dam.

The first section passes many small farms and ranches. I did notice a wild peach tree, but even in mid-September the fruit was still small and hard. Perhaps some years they might size up or ripen but it does not look good for this year. The rock out-crops on the steep sides of this narrow valley clearly show the fragile nature of the soils on these hills. Near where the dirt road begins, the narrow valley becomes more of a canyon and the road twists and turns through the bottom. There is little sign of the creek that comes from the dam.

Reaching the dam I was disappointed that the area where we used to launch the boats and park was now fenced off. There were some access points through the fence, but a large man or a person with a canoe or boat would have a tough to access the lake. I carried on up a little hill and found a parking spot with a locked gate through which I could see a couple of picnic tables and some toilet facilities.

Here there was a better walkway through the fence, but it would still be rather awkward carrying a canoe through the narrow angled passage. There was a sign prohibiting swimming, campfires, barbeques, boat motors and ice fishing. It is sad that more reservoirs are becoming more restricted to public use. (If we all treat these areas with respect we will retain the privilege of using them in the future. Tread lightly and leave as faint a footprint as possible.) This area is bench land with lots of Jack Pine and is relatively flat, but the bank down to the lake is fairly steep for most part. the easiest place to launch a canoe would be to head back towards the dam as the slope here is gentler.

The southern section of the lake is steep on both the eastern and western shores. The western side is more rugged with some areas of broken rock slope. Towards the north there is a little better foreshore, but at the moment I’m not sure of public access via these roads.

I could not find a record of any recent stockings, but we used to catch brook trout here years ago. On my first cast this day I had two strikes, but that was all for the next half hour. Alas, all too soon I had to pack up my rod and leave for other duties. I would have liked to explore the shoreline towards the northern end where there are more shallows for the fish to feed. Perhaps next year I will find more time in the warmer weather.

Now with October upon us it's not quite time to put away the canoe and fly rods, but time to take out the guns and spinning outfit and explore more of the high country looking for those small out-of-the-way lakes while looking to fill the freezer with venison.

Now that all the wild walnuts are hulled, it’s time to re-sort the tackle box in the evenings and to make my backpack anchor bags, time to study the maps looking for those little out-of-the-way spots that need a little more fishing pressure. Yes, after 60-plus years there is still plenty to discover in these glorious hills.

Halloween Hike.

Halloween Hike

Ask our grown up children what Halloween stands out in their memories and it is not of the usual trick or treat scene, but of a Halloween hike up behind the Naramata reservoir.

We had decided the night before that rather than stay and home handing out treats to little ghosts and goblins; it would be a good chance for another grouse hunting trip. Leaving home just after lunch we would hunt until it got dark and then we would stop at A & W for a burger before going home. Each year as Halloween approaches, we remember this very spooky hike. Even today our kids in their thirty ’s fondly recall that particular hike.
 
Piling into the car after lunch, we drove to Naramata and there turned off on the Smethurst Road. This took us pass the Kettle Valley Rail line and up to the second level where we briefly investigated the rock ovens. Reaching the next level we took the old railway bed to Chute Lake. Here we turn off and headed up to the Reservoir.

Parking at the dam, we bundled up and head up in search of a little used road. There was a nip in the air and the leaves were still slowly swirling to the ground and were crunching under foot. I lead the way up the road twenty two ready listening both for birds and to the chatter of Annemarie, Michael and John as they trailed along with Tricia. I used to joke, that like a golfer this was my hunting handicap. The day was grey and we were now up in the clouds which diffuse what light there was.

The old road was nearly overgrown in places as is weaved through the thick growth of lodgepole pine. The low ground cover had an abundance of low bush huckleberry bushes. Several grouse come to scratch the banks of the old road were added to our pack sacks.

Several miles later, dusk began to fall fast so we headed back, a little disappointed that we had not found Big Meadow Lake. By now the kids grew quiet and we grew closer as a group. Fog drifted slowly and the lodgepole pines creaked somewhat eerily in the gathering darkness. Clouds allowed an occasional glimpse of the moon through some starkly bare poplar trees. A snowy owl glided silently over head for some reason keeping us company.

No need to tell ghost stories to set the mood, each creak of the trees and the hoots of the owl and the constant swirling of the fog had the kids a bit frightened and they were now hand and hand with my wife and I. Without a flashlight we slowly felt our way along the track back to the car.

The trip down the mountain was very quiet as I was concentrating on peering into the fog that at times cut the car lights distance to feet rather than yards. Checking the back set we found they were not sleeping, but sitting quietly but wide eyes looking into the fog.

At last we reached Penticton and made our way to A & W for the promised burgers. It was here that the kids began to talk and relive the hike.

Why not give the kids a different memory this year and take any old road in the thick bush and go for a Halloween hike. Hiking need not just be a warm weather sport. I haven’t been up this way since the fires, but the hiking/cross country trails up the Carmi Road or any of the old roads up this way make and excellent outing. Teach them to value the outdoors.

Tracking Snow

Tracking Snow

Hunting season is upon us and all die hard hunters long for those special days when we get a dusting of tracking snow. You know the fresh snow that is not too powdery, but that holds a track well. Less chance of an big game animal getting away wounded. But that’s another subject.

Years back when I was working at OK Welders Supplies, I worked with Bob C. (yeah another Bob), who talked a good hunt. Not having a regular hunting partner at the time, I figured why not go out with him.
Early in the predawn I pick him up at his hotel and we were out at Barslow Canyon just as it was beginning to get light. Sure enough the snow just stopped falling and we spotted some fresh tracks at the bottom of the loop. I back up off the road and we sat for a minute planning the hunt.

“You follow the tracks,” I said, “and I’ll keep a few hundred yards off to the side and follow you. When it tries to slip by you I should be in good position.”

Off Bob went and started up the hill following the tracks slowly ready for anything. I set of up the hill too, keeping my eyes on his progress through the breaks in the trees, keeping far enough distance to give the deer a chance to try to slip between us. After about half an hour, Bob starts circling a tree and looking up. Finally I had to find out what was up. “What’s going on Bob?” I called just loud enough for him to hear.
“It’s gone. Its disappeared” the call came back. Very strange I figured. So down through the little draw and to Bob’s side I went. Sure enough the tracks ended up in the bare patch under the large Douglas Fir. A quick look at the tracks revealed why though. Bob had been tracking the deer backwards to where it had bedded down for the night.

Remember, even with the good tracking snow to keep a keen eye on the tracks and good luck this season.

Upper Clarke Lakes

Towards the South end of Upper Clarke Lake #2

North End of Upper Clarke Lake #2

South End of Upper Clarke Lake #3

North End of Upper Clarke Lake #3

Upper Clark Lakes

I was off to explore the Upper Clark Lakes and made a real amateur blunder. It was hot and with my bad back I thought I would really reduce my pack and leave my net at home. Hadn’t I heard that they were all small fish here anyhow?

Now, I was perched on a log along the muddy shore at Upper Clark Lake 2 with a nice rainbow trout nearly 40 centimetres in length. For about ten heart-stopping minutes, it lept and ran my line out before I was able to bring it to hand to lift it onto shore. None to soon, for as I lifted it the hook slipped from its jaw and I dropped it into the weeds. I quickly dispatched it, clean it of innards and gills and put it on ice to show my wife when I got home. In this hot weather it is important not to let such a prize spoil.

Over the next half hour I manage to play and release a couple more fish that were slightly smaller, however there was no shade here and the heat was getting to me. Time to move on and check out Upper Clark Lake 3.

Half an hour later I was repeating this scenario on Upper Clarke Lake 3, only this time I was on a fairly steep shoreline. Again a nice rainbow trout was quickly dispatched and put on ice. Over the next hour with a little more shade, I landed about 8 more fish between 20 and 40 centimetres length, but all were spawners and were gently release back into the water.

Both of these lakes are fairly easy to reach. Take the Weyerhaeuser 201 Road from Okanagan Falls for roughly 22 kilometres, past the Allendale Lake Road and cabin on the right hand side. The road to the Upper Clark Lakes is off to the right and just past it the road to Lower Clark Lake heads off to the left. I like to park here and hike to the Upper Clark Lakes, but it is possible to drive the fairly rough road to them, although there are a few wet and muddy sections.

Parking here I take the first road to the right and then keep to the left. At about 400 metres the road splits and there is a little creek and dam. This is Upper Clark Lake 2, a little smaller than it was when the dam was fully functional. Now most of the shoreline is shallow grass and muddy with some old snags here and there. It is rather shallow even at the north end where there is a large steep rock outcropping. The annual stocking appears to be 1000 rainbow trout and there is obviously a good survival rate and some nice fish here.
It was another 280 metres down the road on the west side of the lake to reach the end where I checked out the waters beneath the rock outcrop. This was where I landed the nice fish.

About 1.2 kilometres further up the road you reach Upper Clark Lake 3. It is nothing like first lake. It is much larger, appears to be quite deep, the sides are mainly quite steep and it is treed right to the water’s edge. It is reasonably easy to fish from shore, but it would not be to hard too carry a light canoe into this lake. Again records show over the last few years an annual stocking of 1000 rainbow trout. From the banks it was possible to watch lots of large trout cruising around, I’ll definitely hike the canoe in here when I’m feeling better.

McLean Clan Lake

Mclean Clan Lake

A chance conversation with a couple I met while waiting for my jeep to cool down as it had overheated while pulling the tent trailer up the 201 from Okanagan Falls, had me headed to Mclean Clan Lake.

Apparently you cold now drive to it from the Derenzy Forest Service Road. It was a little later than I would have liked, but I was headed down the 201 to reacquaint myself with this lake. It had been 20 years since I had hiked in with my young family.

As usual I was rewarded with several mule deer and whitetail deer crossing the road. Passing the 28 kilometre sign I sooon took a left hand turn onto the Derenzy Forest Service Road. Not knowing what to expect, I zeroed my odometer trip meter as I began my search. Keeping to the main road I bypassed several roads and then came to the Culper Lake Forest Service Road.

My maps and GPS indicated Culper Lake lay between Mclean Clan and Derenzy Lake so I took this road and noted my odometer showed 4.9 km. Ignoring the Culper Lake Raods 100 thru 300 I kept on going to the end of the road. This did not look promising, but a short distance back at a fairly sharp corner there were several vehicles parked. I headed back there and investigated.

There was a fairly rough bush road heading in the right direction. Parking I gathered my gear and began walking. This road was just a little over half a kilometre in length and sure enough I ended up and McLean Clan Lake. Here I met Fred Morris and a grup on a weekend Stag party. Hats off to this group they left the site in beautiful condition. There is also a great frame here to drape a tarp over for shelter. Thanks guys.

After a brief talk I followed an ATV trail to a point down the lake and began to fish from shore.Soon it became apparent I should have gone back for the canoe. Activity near the shore was very spotty while out in the centre of the lake there was a fairly consistent rise of failry decent fish. I would not at all be surprised to land a trout up to a kilogram out of this small lake. The largest fish I’ve landed was about 35 centimetres or 14 inches in length.

One side of the earthen dam was washed out, but is does not seem to have affected the fish habitat too much. There are still portions of the shoreline that have a lot of trees left in the water, but also some areas where one can cast from the shore.

My recommendation, if at all possible, is to take in a canoe or a car top boat. Be aware, though, that the last little bit an be very rough on a vehicle. Experience on rough raods and knowledge of your vehicle will allow you to get into some very interesting spots, but always carry emergency gear with you.

The afternoon trip back home was very interesting as I saw tow four point mule deer bucks and a two point mule deer and a while tail buck of undetermined point count. Makes one think of the coming hunting season. However, as there is a restriction on using a vehicle for hunting or to carry game out this would ve a very long drag or carry to get a deer out from here. Still, I expect that September and early October will see me carrying my canoe in here for a decent crack at this lake.

Save a fish - Shower with a friend

Save a fish

Sorry no picutre this time.

Help save a fish, shower with a friend. Sound ridiculous? Not entirely.

Every year at this time as I fish the higher elevation lakes in the local watersheds, slipping and sinking in the muddy shore lines, I give extra thoughts to water conservation. Gone are the lush foreshores of early spring and summer to be replaced by muddy banks as the reservoirs are drawn to their lowest levels.

Each year the demand for domestic water and irrigation water for agriculture increases by leaps and bounds. The solution always seems to be to build more reservoirs, more pumping stations and more treatment facilities. However, there are many small measures we can take to reduce our water usage from the mountain reservoirs, which when added up can make quite a difference.

We are all aware of the importance of certain principles for irrigating: water only the required areas (not roads and sidewalks). Set your sprinklers or drip irrigation system to come on in the evening and morning hours.

Urbanization demands more water and also unfortunately helps to destroy the natural water conserving qualities of the land. Swamps are drained or filled to make way for developments and of course with new subdivisions and higher population density there is always a greater demand for paved roads. Paved or concrete roads are relatively impervious to water and rather than naturally seeping into the water table the rain rushes into the water-courses. Now, if someone could develop a road surface that is both environmentally- and vehicle-friendly that would be great.

Perhaps though some of the biggest advances can come with regard to domestic use. Many changes can be made to house design to reduce ineffectual water usage. In most homes there is quite a distance between hot water tanks and sinks or showers. Running the water until it gets warm is a waste of many litres of water. New construction or renovations with hot water tanks installed near any outlet requiring hot water, sinks, tubs and washing machines would be more environmentally friendly.

Food for thought, if every toilet in the Okanagan were a low flush toilet using on 6 litres of water per flush, our daily consumption would be over 5,000,000 litres daily, just for this necessity alone. There are still a lot of older high volume toilets still out there at the present. The old adage “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down,“ sounds a little gross, but it is one means of conserving water. Anyone interested in investigating the waterless toilet system that has as its’ by-product a humus which can be used for fertilizer? Water is a precious resource and one of the reasons most of us have moved to this area, yet as our population explodes the amount available is slowly diminishing. Perhaps it is time to incorporate some water saving solutions into our building codes.

Think about saving fish while you are doing little things like brushing your teeth. Leaving the tap running easily uses 80% more water in this simple task. Sure it’s nice to stand under the running shower while washing your hair or soaping, but it sure uses a lot more water. I’ve checked it out and I when I shower that way I use as much water as if I were having a bath.

Now I some times love to soak in a bath after a long sweaty day at work or other physical exercise. It stands to reason that two bodies in the tub use far less water. Hmmm. I think I’ll save a fish and either shower or bathe with a friend.

Do your bit to save a fish, shower with a fiend too.

Stinky Lake Trail

Stinky Lake East trail head

Stinky Lake

Stinky Lake West Trail Head

Stinky Lake Trail

The Stinky Lake Trail is quite different than the river channel trail. It is a hike that gives you a good workout. Take lots of water, as there is no drinkable water source here. The Oliver trailhead at the Western end of 107^th Street leads through a fence to a steep ascent on loose gravel. There are many side trails just begging to be explored, but I first wanted to hike right through to the Fairview - White Lake Road.

This uphill section has great views of Oliver and the valley as it passes through the rough desert country with some sage, bunch grass and a fair number of Ponderosa Pines and the odd Douglas Fir. Early in April the buttercups, yellow bell bulbs were already starting to bloom; spring beauties (fairy potatoes) would soon follow, as I understand will the wild onions.

There were lots of deer tracks in the dust (even a few snake tracks) and I was lucky enough to spot twenty mule deer, likely does. There is also lots of sign of ATV traffic and trail bike traffic, particularly at the western end near the Fairview - White Lake Road. I am not against their use, but it does bother me to see the hillsides torn up unnecessarily. Used with proper respect they do not need to create this damage.

I kept to the main trail up to the top and bypassed the one over to the water tower, making a note of the one leading off to the communication tower and helipad to check out on the way back. This was at the 1.27 km. mark. The top was about 1.4 km and then the decent began to Stinky Lake and the Fairview - White Lake Road. I likely could have taken a right at the fence just near the top, which would have been a bit longer, but easier walking.

As it was I had some fairly steep descents, as I took the right hand track at the first intersection on the way down. Reaching the bottom of the second steep incline I went left down a step section, crossed a track and climbed up hill before dropping down to Stinky Lake.

From Stinky Lake there was just one more little hill and incline before the trail levelled out and headed for the trailhead on the Fairview White Lake Road. Here there is actually more room for easy parking and the trip in is not quite so strenuous. Total distance on this route was just less than 3.5 km.

Heading back, I took a little road that branched off to the right at Stinky Lake. This wound around and crossed the original track I had taken before circling back and splitting. Keeping to the right I was soon back to the track I had taken in so I retraced my steps back to the helipad trail. I reckon if I had taken the left hand track it would have been easier walking up to the top near the fence line.

The trail to the helipad is just under .4 km and here you again get great views of the valley. Apparently this pad is used for training purposes by the flight school. From this point you could head back to the main trail or head down a steep trail for just over .4 km to meet up with the main trail. This was the route I chose and yes, found quite a few bottles where the ATVs had not been. Please remember to carry in and carry out.

Good news! Just this spring charges were laid against a person mud bogging through this sensitive area. Keep up the good work.
　

Vaseaux Lake

Vaxeaux Lake looking South

Vaseaux Lake looking North

Vaseaux Lake - young fisherman

I had to stop to take this picture at Vaseaux Lake, for this is what it is all about, sharing the quiet beauty of nature with loved ones. It did not matter to this little girl that the fishing was still slow since waters were still a little cool for good fish activity. These moments will stay with her and she will be richer for each experience like this.

While I mainly fish the high country lakes it was only a matter of time until I felt the need to sample the pleasures of the lower lakes in the region. While ice will cover some of the higher lakes into May -- sometime even June if the winter is cold enough -- the lakes of the valley bottom open up much sooner and I have seen people out as early as February. Most often, though, it is in March before the numbers begin to pick up and by April fishing is in full swing.

Keep in mind that the 2009-2011 regulations show that the river and lagoons at the south end of Vaseaux Lake are included in the spring closure April 1^st to June 30^th.

The northern third of Vaseaux Lake is quite shallow with a maximum depth of perhaps 3 metres, while the middle portion drops to about 24 metres with another reasonably deep spot west of Hatfield Island. Both the east side by the highway and the west side near the old railway tracks on the southern half of the lake drop off reasonably fast. This allows easy access to better conditions for the fish.

What a selection of fish in both Vaseaux and Osoyoos Lakes! Of course we are familiar with the bass and rainbow trout, and have heard of yellow perch and whitefish. Lesser known are carp, black catfish, peamouth chub and pumpkinseed, to mention a few species. I was particularly impressed with the spunky pumpkinseed -- what a beautiful little fish it is! I can imagine a few of these filleted and in the frying pan.
A quick check of protected species shows none in this lake, but be as knowledgeable as possible and err one the safe side. The pumpkinseed is a small fish with an oval type and compressed body, which reaches up to 20 centimetres in length. The back is greenish and it has a fair amount of orange on its cheeks and sides. A couple of sharp spines made handling a bit tricky.

Yellow perch are a bit larger, reaching 30 centimetres in length. These fish are yellowish with dark bars across the back half way down the sides. Voracious feeders, they take small fish along with a diet of insects and crustaceans. Because of their prolific nature and appetite for small fish they can soon decimate an otherwise vibrant sport fishery if introduced into a new lake.

Remember that whichever fish you catch, you are required to release them unharmed unless you are going to utilize them. I know we all have our prejudices when it comes to our favourite fish. My personal favourites rainbow trout and kokanee, and I have trouble even thinking of a northern pike minnow sizzling in my pan. Yet, I know of a young lad thrilled with the taste although he thought they were trout



The Ecstasy

Agony and Ecstasy (Part 2)

Pleasant Surprise

The day after our disappointment at not negotiating the road into Nickel Plate Lake, we set out to find Conkle Lake hoping to salvage what was left of our holiday. Driving south to Osoyoos, we then went up the Anachist and past Bridesville, turning off at Johnson Creek. The road was a little rough but not too bad, and we finally we pulled in to Conkle Lake Park and set up in a site overlooking the lake. (Note: this is also known as Hackmatack or Fish Lake.) At 1167 metres elevation it is a mid-level lake, so I expected fishing to be reasonably good even during the summer. Conkle has a generous stocking program of about 8,000 fry a year. So there is a healthy population of Rainbow trout.

This is quite a deep lake with an average depth just over 22 metres, but it also has some good shallow feeding areas. Usually there are several loons on the lake, taking advantage of the stocking program I guess.
The weather remained beautiful and we spent the next three days exploring the trails that were under construction. The beach was a little rocky, but we enjoyed some refreshing swims and a little fishing. It is possible to drive to the shore to launch a small boat or canoe.

The mallard ducks were not too nervous and were often swimming near the public swimming area. Much to our surprise and to that of the ducks, a man swam under water, grabbed one by the feet and lifted it out of the water. Such quacking and flapping of Wings!

While Tricia and the kids puttered at the swimming area, I tried my luck on the weedy shallows on either side and had some reasonable strikes. It was kind of nice being able to fish and keep an eye on the children at the same time.

Later we took a walk on the trail under construction down one side of the lake and also checked out a few old roads. One of the highlights of our hiking, though, was the trail up to the falls. They were not huge, but still really enjoyable even at this time. In the spring and early summer however, these are quite a sight with lots of water.

Since that time, many people have discovered Conkle Lake, so be prepared for alternate plans if the campground and overflow are full, a good plan wherever you go and whenever you go, as it is surprising how often campers all have the same ideas at once.

Since that first trip we have been back many times and have explored a few different routes coming back. The second trip we went down to Carmi and Beaverdale for a visit. It was rather hair-raising as the tent trailer kept pushing the Chevelle Malibu towards the steep bank when I braked. Taking my foot off the brake I would steer towards the inner bank and repeat the procedure. Reason enough to change vehicle and trailer combination!

I had also heard that it was possible to get out to the Weyerhaeuser 201 road. Without a map and going by gut instinct we finally made our way over to Venner Meadows and the Weyerhaeuser road. It was a rather nerve racking trip too. Road signs were lacking and we soon were very worried about having enough fuel to make it out. It was one of those trips where you did not meet any other traffic. (Note to self, always fill the tank before heading to the hills to explore.)
　

The Agony

Agony and Ecstasy Part 1

Heartbreak

Michael struggled down the road dragging an eight-pound sledgehammer. At sixteen months the handle was taller than he was. His older sister Annemarie and brother John toted the picks and shovels. It was 1976 and we were working on the road into Nickel Plate Lake in preparation for our holiday. We had plans to take the tent trailer in for a week of relaxation and fishing.

I fondly remembered the Lake and the several potholes that held some good fish during the time the Nickel Plate Mining camp was in operation. Lost and Hidden Lakes at that time held fish up to 16 and 17 inches. While I had no actual fishing experience at the potholes between the new Apex Ski Hill on Beaconsfield Mountain (This always seems strange to those of us raised at Nickel Plate), I remembered well seeing the fish rising as we passed on some of our trips as youngsters. Now I was anxious to introduce the kids to my old stomping grounds.

The three August days were hot and we rationed out water as we toiled away. The Provincial Government had completely forgotten this park and had turned down my offer to develop it several years earlier. As well built as those old roads were, twenty years of neglect had left some portions very rough indeed. Thirty more years have passed and the roads continue to slowly deteriorate.

Sweat seemed to attract mosquitoes and deer flies, which delighted in making themselves a nuisance. Savouring the tiny huckleberries was something we looked forward to daily in spite of these pests.
We pried some large protruding rocks from the road and filled the resulting holes. Other rocks were too large to move and these I attacked with the sledgehammer with varying degrees of success. With luck I would find a fault line and the top would come off cleanly. Often, though, the hard granite would just slowly chip away and we would have to resort to adding earth to the tracks on either side of the stubborn boulder.
Upon reaching the upper campsite we met an older gentleman in his seventies dragging his boat up the steep hill from the lake. We decided we would settle for this site and do some work on the really rough section to the lower campground while we were camped here. This part was extremely rough as it is now and some one had purposely rolled large rocks onto the road. Removing these was easy, but the deep holes that required filling would take considerable time.

The next morning we hitched up the tent trailer and with eager anticipation set off for the lake. All went well until we tried to get up the hill form the circle of some of the original cabins at Apex. (The current road was not then built) The slope did not seem very steep, but the loose rock would not allow enough traction to make it up in spite of several attempts.

Dejected we headed back down to Penticton. The children sobbed in the back seat and Tricia and I were also in tears. Heavy hearted, we decided to try for Conkle Lake, a new lake we had heard about. The next morning we were off again, not knowing what to expect, but hoping for the best.

Perhaps this experience was the initial catalyst in my desire for reasonable access to wilderness areas and mountain lakes. Today, as public land is fast disappearing and private lands that once allowed easy access are closed to the general public, it becomes increasingly important that we maintain old roads and trails for future generations to enjoy.

Big Meadow Lake

Big Meadow Lake

When exploring, even with maps and a GPS, two things become apparent: there are more roads than shown on the maps and there is never a straight line to a destination.

Ok, make that three things: road changes, fires and logging totally change the landscape so the old routes need to be replaced.

Today I was aiming to get into Nuttall and Big Meadow Lakes. I first went up to Chute Lake before taking off on the logging roads. Zeroing the odometer, I went across the Trans Canada Trail, past the private cabin and Chute Lake Recreation area then took the logging road off to the left and up the hill.

A small road took off to the left at 0.9 kilometres and at 1.8 kilometres a road to the right, which I was sure led to Elinor Lake and another old road heading up this way. I ignored a road at about 5.5 kilometres, keeping to the one that looked better traveled.

Reaching 7.6 kilometres, I took the right hand fork, turned right again in another tenth of a kilometre and soon ended up on an old log landing. Turning on the find function of the GPS, it was obvious that I had taken a wrong turn further down. However, I was only about 1.7 kilometres from the lake and set off in the general direction through the clearing. Reaching the other side I found the windfalls were more than I wanted to tackle so backtracked to the jeep. I did find a nice hunting blind on a knoll in the clearing, which I noted for possible future use.

I headed back down to the branch that I had ignored earlier and headed up the road until windfalls stopped me. At 8.4 kilometres, I had noticed a very rough cut road off to the right and soon after spotted Big Meadow lake, so I went back down parked, and began to walk.

This road very rough but with care could be driven. Soon I came across another road (this one up from Elinor Lake) and turned to the left towards the lake. It was a total of about 800 metres to the dam and the other side of the lake. The roads to this end were likely from the logging roads up behind Naramata and from Greyback and Corporation Lakes.

I began to check one of these out, thinking of reaching Corporation Lake, but took the wrong one. Sadly, I found the bloated carcass of a cow, which I managed to report to the owner later in the evening.

Back at Big Meadow Lake I watched an osprey soaring, so I figured there should be some fish. I poked my way around the shoreline, which was tough going, but didn’t have any luck though I thought I saw one rise.
Talking to several people on trail bikes and ATV’s I found out that the lake is very low later in the fall, and they did not know if there were fish there. The owner of the cow, however, seemed to recall it was stocked years back, so it is very possible there would be fish. At this time of the year, it would be a pleasant way to spend the day out on a canoe. Remember, though, it is a source of water for Naramata so treat it with respect.

Later on in the season when the lake is drawn down, the fish may be more concentrated, but the muddy shorelines would detract from the enjoyment. Makes one wish the cities and towns could draw water from the Okanagan and Skaha Lakes and leave these mountain ones at their most enjoyable levels.

One reader contacted me to let me know he has caught some nice rainbows at the South Ellis reservoir and his is concerned about the draining of this and other lakes.

Horne Lake

Horne Lake

     Horne Lake is very close to Twin Lakes. Instead of turning right onto the Eastview Road, just keep straight ahead for 1.2 km. Here you will reach a landing with an old cattle chute. There is a road that goes down to the  lake, but it is private. I just portaged the canoe down the bank and through the bush to the lake, not all that easy, but do able. Coming back up was a little slower with a few rest breaks.

     I was going by my old records which showed an annual stocking of 300 rainbow trout per year. Thinking with a low stocking rate, there might be some fair sized fish here as this is similar to several other lakes that produce well. For over two hours I tried my favorite flies and a white and red lure with the possibility of one strike, but it might have been a snag on a weed. Not one fish was observed rising.

     Once back home I check the latest stocking records and found out that this lake has not been stocked in recent years. Possibly now all gone due to winter kill. There is a species of rainbow trout that does spawn along the shore instead of a creek. Perhaps, it would be interesting to try such a strain in the many small lake in the Southern Interiour that are virtually land locked.

     If anyone has had luck here in the last few years, I would appreciate you letting me know.