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by Bob Dupee
Follows the Kettle River Valley
The former Columbia & Western Railway line from Grand Forks to Christina Lake has been resurfaced by BC Gas (now Terasen) and has a smooth crushed gravel topping. This section is almost level, and follows along the Kettle River Valley as it winds towards Christina Lake. About two hours easy pedalling (this section can be done with a child carrier as well) brings you to the newly decked Cascade Gorge Trestle, and the former site of a Nicola Tesla power project which produced some of the first AC current in the world. Cascade Falls and The Gorge is easily accessed by foot from the railgrade, and the view from Rainbow Rock is breathtaking!
British & Canadian Troops decked trestles
A little further on will bring you to the newly decked (and hand railed!) longest trestle on this section of the C&W/CPR, spanning the Kettle River almost 500 feet. British Troops, along with our own 44th Field Squadron did an amazing job of decking the three trestles in this valley. The remains of the boomtown of Cascade are still visible, next to the 18-hole championship Christina Lake Golf Course, one of the first to open in the spring.
BC's favourite lake
Travelling along the rail grade for another ten minutes will bring you to the base of the Dewdney Trail, the original route of the Trans Canada Trail and a beautiful hiking trail. Travellers here can begin the ascent to Rossland via the Santa Rosa Summit or descend to Christina Lake to enjoy British Columbia’s most favourite lake (according to a CBC Poll). Cyclists will find a range of excellent accommodations and restaurants at Christina Lake, as well as a full service bike shop that offers rentals and shuttles.
Many travellers find it convenient to stay at Christina Lake and ride the surrounding sections of the rail grade, while enjoying the beauty of the Lake. Winter brings cross country skiers and snowshoers to enjoy the railgrade.
For accomodations, trail information, and amenities visit www.christinalake.com. For shuttles, bike rentals and repairs, and bike tours, phone Bob Dupee at (250) 447-6561 or e-mail
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Historic towns
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Cyclists near the Paulson Bridge.
Photo courtesy of Bob Dupee.
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If you carry on the rail grade, the next stop is Fife and the old Limestone Loading Tower, once the source of minerals for the Trail Smelters. The three-hour ascent to the Paulson Bridge is highlighted by another trestle, a tunnel, and some fascinating history of towns like Coryell, Paulson and Gladstone, now just foundations crumbling into the earth.
Peter Verigin Memorial
At the summit, the Peter Verigin Memorial speaks of wilder days in the Doukhabour’s history, while the Bulldog Tunnel, the longest tunnel on the C&W/CPR route (1 Km) will chill you to the bone on a hot summer’s day. The route from Paulson to Castlegar Station is about five hours, and has beautiful vistas of Arrow Lake and the remains of old towns which dotted this valley. There is a huge Natural Arch rock formation a short ways from the rail grade, and a creek which issues out of a cave. Ask for directions as there are no signs at present.
The last part of the trip is on paved road towards Castlegar Station, or get a shuttle from the Hugh Keenlyside Dam.
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