Post by tmanson on Apr 27, 2008 14:13:54 GMT -8
Hi all: Just thought I would throw in a description of the Othello Tunnels Trail in Hope, as , on occasion, it can be quite birdy. The trail will go by a variety of names besides the above. It is part of the Kettle Valley Railway railbed that has been converted into a trail, and is maintained by Fraser Valley Regional District, Parks. It is also part of the TransCanada trail system.
While most visitors access the Othello Tunnels from the east side, where there is a paid parking lot, and a short walk to the tunnels, many Hope residents know there is an alternate route, and provides for a nice walk outside the winter period, when there is always a danger of slides, and occasional snow.
Access to the beginning of the trail is by taking the Kawkawa Lake Rd through Hope, crossing the Coquihalla River, driving up the hill to Kettle Valley Rd by the cemetery, and turning right. It is only a short km to the parking lot, and the beginning of the trail. The trail is barred by gates to keep out vehicles, so it is essentially a walking/running/bicycle trail, with the odd horse sneaking through. Being a former railbed, the trail has a very slight grade heading east, which is only really noticeable when heading back. I don't have an actual measure of distance from the parking lot to the tunnels, but I'd estimate it to be 2-3 kms. Maybe, Gord would have the actual figure. The trail is a very attractive route, as the walker follows the Coquihalla Canyon, with views of the Coquihalla River on the south side. It is usually sheltered from any wind, and, when the deciduous trees fill out, it can be a great walk to escape the summer heat, especially if you enter the tunnels at the end, which are always cool.
As far as birds are concerned, today there were a pair of Osprey returning to the, more or less, permanent nest, high up in a dead conifer at the 1km mark, overlooking the river.
Also here, were Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Swainson's Thrush, a lone Townsend's Solitaire, acting like a Rock Wren at the end of the trail by the tunnel face, Pine Siskin, and, several Winter Wren singing away. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
While most visitors access the Othello Tunnels from the east side, where there is a paid parking lot, and a short walk to the tunnels, many Hope residents know there is an alternate route, and provides for a nice walk outside the winter period, when there is always a danger of slides, and occasional snow.
Access to the beginning of the trail is by taking the Kawkawa Lake Rd through Hope, crossing the Coquihalla River, driving up the hill to Kettle Valley Rd by the cemetery, and turning right. It is only a short km to the parking lot, and the beginning of the trail. The trail is barred by gates to keep out vehicles, so it is essentially a walking/running/bicycle trail, with the odd horse sneaking through. Being a former railbed, the trail has a very slight grade heading east, which is only really noticeable when heading back. I don't have an actual measure of distance from the parking lot to the tunnels, but I'd estimate it to be 2-3 kms. Maybe, Gord would have the actual figure. The trail is a very attractive route, as the walker follows the Coquihalla Canyon, with views of the Coquihalla River on the south side. It is usually sheltered from any wind, and, when the deciduous trees fill out, it can be a great walk to escape the summer heat, especially if you enter the tunnels at the end, which are always cool.
As far as birds are concerned, today there were a pair of Osprey returning to the, more or less, permanent nest, high up in a dead conifer at the 1km mark, overlooking the river.
Also here, were Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Swainson's Thrush, a lone Townsend's Solitaire, acting like a Rock Wren at the end of the trail by the tunnel face, Pine Siskin, and, several Winter Wren singing away. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
