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.