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Myra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC

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Photo ofMyra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC Photo ofMyra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC Photo ofMyra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC

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Trail stats

Distance
14.5 mi
Elevation gain
3,012 ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Elevation loss
3,012 ft
Max elevation
4,245 ft
TrailRank 
65
Min elevation
3,330 ft
Trail type
Loop
Time
3 hours 19 minutes
Coordinates
3383
Uploaded
October 10, 2017
Recorded
October 2017
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near Myra, British Columbia (Canada)

Viewed 1470 times, downloaded 3 times

Trail photos

Photo ofMyra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC Photo ofMyra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC Photo ofMyra Trestles in late Autumn, Kelowna, BC

Itinerary description

The start-end waypoint is at the top of an unpaved switchback road, also suitable for cars. It was muddy and a bit rough after the snows of early October 2017. This track is from the morning of October 8, 2017, the last weekend for bicycle rentals, and an early snow was still covering the trestle decks

The bicycle rental shop is at the parking lot. We picked up four Norco mountain bikes, suitable for this trail and in good condition that we booked earlier on the rental website. On-site staff were very helpful with seat adjustments and trail advice. Rental periods are AM ( 9am to 1pm ) or afternoon (from 1pm). This is adequate to complete the track at a slow pace with lots of picture stops.

Mountain or Cross Bikes are ideal, however most types of bikes should manage on this track, which is mostly light gravel and packed dirt, flat to gentle railway grade.

Waypoints

PictographCar park Altitude 4,108 ft
Photo ofParking and Bicycle Rental Photo ofParking and Bicycle Rental Photo ofParking and Bicycle Rental

Parking and Bicycle Rental

Norco mountain bikes worked well, however cross and many other bike types could manage this trail in normal conditions.

PictographBridge Altitude 4,127 ft
Photo ofKettle Valley RR - Trestle 84.9 Photo ofKettle Valley RR - Trestle 84.9 Photo ofKettle Valley RR - Trestle 84.9

Kettle Valley RR - Trestle 84.9

This is the first trestle after leaving the parking lot.

PictographPanorama Altitude 4,167 ft
Photo ofLanding with Information Photo ofLanding with Information Photo ofLanding with Information

Landing with Information

There is a pavilion here with displays on the history of the Kettle Valley railway, a trail map, and other information.

PictographPanorama Altitude 4,163 ft
Photo ofTrail conditions and autumn colours Photo ofTrail conditions and autumn colours Photo ofTrail conditions and autumn colours

Trail conditions and autumn colours

PictographTunnel Altitude 4,199 ft
Photo ofRailway tunnels Photo ofRailway tunnels Photo ofRailway tunnels

Railway tunnels

Waypoint at south end of the first tunnel. The second tunnel is a short distance to the south from here.

PictographBridge Altitude 4,131 ft
Photo ofSteel Bridge Photo ofSteel Bridge Photo ofSteel Bridge

Steel Bridge

Most trestles are wood, this one had steel cladding built over the original wood construction.

PictographPanorama Altitude 4,160 ft
Photo ofRock outcrop, views Photo ofRock outcrop, views Photo ofRock outcrop, views

Rock outcrop, views

PictographPhoto Altitude 4,117 ft
Photo ofDonkey Engine trestle Photo ofDonkey Engine trestle Photo ofDonkey Engine trestle

Donkey Engine trestle

There are lots of information placards explaining geology and history. The Donkey engine is one of many historical artifacts along the trail. It is a portable winch used to haul heavy items through the bush during the railway and trestle construction.

PictographPhoto Altitude 3,957 ft
Photo ofWest side of valley Photo ofWest side of valley

West side of valley

Proceeding north along the west side of valley there are fewer trestles. Here it is a gentle downhill run (at railway grade). On October 8, 2017 there was more snow on the west side of valley, as it is more sheltered from the afternoon sun. Snow had melted from bridge decks on east side of valley by the time of our return.

PictographCar park Altitude 4,065 ft
Photo ofTurning point Photo ofTurning point Photo ofTurning point

Turning point

This waypoint marks the end of the track for rental bicycles, so turn and backtrack on the same route. The parking lot here is smaller, we did not investigate its access road.

Comments  (1)

  • Photo of mclivancouver
    mclivancouver Oct 12, 2017

    The 280m dip in the elevation profile is a GPS tracking error, its actually flat or railway grade all the way. My GPS was not very accurate in recording the lat-long on the western part of the track. No worries - it's easy to follow, one obvious track there and back. Time to upgrade the iphone 4S to a better GPS-Camera Model

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