All trail routes described here are not necessarily ready for usage.

Existence of TCT signage usually indicates the official declaration of useable trail:

• Some of the signed trail may not be the final route. 

• Please do not rely on the signs to find the route. 

• To avoid disappointment, plan ahead Use this website for updates

Caution is required using these trails as they are being upgraded. Expect detours/closures where there is trail or pipeline construction in progress..

Important! Stop Here !!!

Coquihalla Summit Advisory - The Coquihalla Summit from Coquihalla Lakes to Portia will be closed from August 1 to September 30, 2011 due to heavy pipeline construction.

At other times: There can be active construction in the summit by the Trans Mountain Pipeline.  Please obey signs and dismount when meeting construction vehicles and give them lots of room.  Do the the same when such vehicles are passing you.

Read the following notes carefully before proceeding!!!

Prepare yourself for entering the backcountry. Backcountry backpacking is essential. Expect sudden weather changes including fog and snow, especially at the higher elevations. Also, watch for bears and other wild life. Bug repellent is a real asset. Waterproof foot ware is a must.

The Pedestrian/Cycling/Equestrian Trail (West to East)

It is strongly recommended to purchase Dan Langford's book, 'Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway' and  Bruce Obee's 'Trans Canada Trail British Columbia' guidebook to best enjoy this section of the Trail.

Note 1: At this time, because walkers and equestrians are not allowed on the Highway, these users are, for now, not accommodated from the former Microwave cable car (tram) tower (or the Bailey Bridge) to app. 4.6 km along the highway where there is a utility road that parallels the highway on the other side of a road barrier.  See explanation under Jessica Trail.

Note 2: All references to stations are only indications of where former stations of the KVR existed.  At some locations, vestiges of such stations exist but do not expect to actually see buildings of any kind (exception is Brookmere).

Othello Trail (Othello Station to Sowaqua) - 14.2 km

Start on the Othello Road after leaving the Othello Tunnels Provincial Park. Stay on this road to Highway 5. After going under the Highway continue east on the utility road that parallels Highway 5 on the east side. While waiting for a bridge to be built over the Coquihalla River 4 km from here, the cyclists can hop onto the shoulder of the Highway going north from the cable car tower (If heading south, cyclists will need to go onto the shoulder of the Highway at the point the utility road fronting Jessica runs out).

Jessica Trail
The crossing under the Highway at Sowaqua Creek along the Coquihalla River via Jessica Station to Portia Station) - 11.9 km. (complete dist.).
The trail section  from where the trail goes under the Highway at Sowaqua Creek to Carolin Mines highway interchange is 5.3 km.

In the Interim (while waiting for a bridge over the Coquihalla River 4km north of Bailey Bridge and former cable car facility.

Going north: After using the highway for about 4.6 km from the former tram or cable car tower there is a service road on the right side of the road barriers.  Hop on to this roadway and continue north for 2.2 km.  Watch for a trail starting on your right and continue on this trail to where the Coquihalla River goes under the highway to the west side.  At times the trail is between a highway barrier and the river and on two occasions it goes through a forested area.

Once on the west side of the highway proceed up to the railroad grade across the utility road on a  narrow trail through trees and climb 0.35 km to the rail grade.  As long as one stays on the rail grade, the private property signs at Jessica Station about the half way point can be ignored.  At Carolin Mines road go down towards the highway. Proceed back under the highway at the Corolin Mines exit and follow the service road that parallels the east side of the highway with the Coquihalla River on your right going north. Follow this road over Ladner Creek all the way up to the approach to Shylock Road Exit 200. Take a 2-km off-highway trail just before the exit and follow it north to Portia above Boston Bar Creek.

Going south: cyclists once passed the Jessica rail grade and on the utility road do not go under the highway.  Instead, continue south on the utility road on the west side of the Highway until it runs out 2.5 km later. Here, hop back onto the westbound shoulder of the Highway on the way to Othello (or Hope) to reach the Kawkawa exit. (Once the a bridge is built over the Coquihalla River, there will be no need to use the highway for this section).

Coquihalla Summit Trail (Portia Station to Coquihalla Lakes Station) - 24.4 km

We usually anticipate that the Summit will be almost clear of snow by June 1 (2008 season - this was in late June) (Changes from this will be posted on this site).  It may be necessary to walk bikes over patches of snow in shady places.  Watch for the numerous rocks and boulders that have fallen on the utility road.  Where creeks have washed the surface of the roadbed in several places there is coarse surfacing put in by Trans Mountain Pipe Line.  Cyclists must keep their attention on the roadway to avoid loose rock and soft gravel.  Dismount to look at features and scenery.  When the snow clears, cyclists, walkers, and equestrians can get through but must safety conscious.  You must dismount and get well off the road when meeting Trans Mountain Pipe Line construction equipment.

Our license to operate in the Trans Mountain/Kinder Morgan Pipe Line corridor in the summit restricts us to walking and cycling only.  Equestrians are also allowed but will need to alter the routing somewhat to get around gates.  We will leave information regarding closures and hazards at the Information Tourist Bureau in Hope, and at the Backroads bike shop in Princeton. If there is dangerous work going on in the summit it will be temporarily closed and signs to that effect will be put up requiring cyclists to use the shoulder of the Highway as an alternative and walkers will need to organize a shuttle to get passed the summit. Please note that there are gates to keep out all public motorized traffic (including ATV's and dirt bikes) at each end of the Summit Trail .  Most times bicycles need to be lifted over 3 such gates.  Beware of fallen rocks on the roadway.

The 3.3 km section of the KVR 1.4 km above Portia leaving the Trans Mountain Pipe Line's road is now completely restored and for the exception of detouring around former bridges is the historical KVR rail grade. The first 800 m is used by Trans Mountain Pipe Line to reach a gravel pit.  The next 2.5 km is the newly completed trail offering spectacular views, tree cover, and even a pleasant veil-like waterfall.  Vestiges of the train years such as telephone poles, railroad ties, bridge abutments, extraordinary rock retaining walls, etc. can also be found here.

The next 5 km to the rail tunnel is a continuation of the rail grade above a high cliff first passing Iago (3 km).  1.2 km after the concrete snow shed and a tunnel 0.4 km to a  bridge site, is the mysterious "Hole in the Wall" and  very soon after the rail grade ends but can be viewed on the cliff sides as you travel on the Trans Mountain Pipe Line Utility road.

This summit route uses the KVR for half of the distance and the rest of the time vestiges of it can be spotted mostly high on the mountainside away from the pipeline service Road.  At the north end, vestiges of rock walls on the east side of the river recall cattle drive years.  At Needle Creek (also known as Slide Creek), approximately halfway into the summit, do take the time to go up a short distance along the creek on a quarry road to look at the huge KVR bridge abutments (Monumental Rail Pillars).  The longest free bridge span on the KVR was at this location (see description above to access the rail grade here).  This is also the beginning of BC Park's Coquihalla Summit Park which extends to include the Coquihalla Lakes.  Hopefully, this will, one day, be the site of a BC Parks campground for cyclists and hikers. North from this point the Coquihalla River goes underground during the summer and therefore, water becomes scarce from here northward.  Also, 6.7 km later the spectacular Bridalveil Falls of Falls Creek, the site of a vestige rail bridge in the foreground, is yet another great feature along this route.  Then it is onward to the Coquihalla Lakes, a real mountain oasis.

As an alternative this Summit Trail, cyclists may use the shoulder of the Highway from Portia to the Coquihalla Lakes. Just past the Toll Booths turn right down to Coquihalla Lakes.

Juliet Trail (Coquihalla Lakes Station to Juliet Station at 'person gate') - 17.7 km

The route combines the KVR (8 km) along the Coldwater River and the Trans Mountain Pipe Line Right of Way (5.2 km where the KVR is under the Highway). Less adventuresome cyclists, can overcome the difficulties by staying on the shoulder of the Highway.

From the Coquihalla Lakes Station go for 2 km to the Briton Creek Rest Area to find wahsrooms and great interpretive panels of the trail and area. Continue north 0.8 km to go over the Highway at the Coquihalla Lakes Exit 228. Then cross over the former KVR bridge and go back under the highway by following the north bank of the Coldwater River to rejoin the former KVR. Follow the rail bed to the Mine Creek Forest Service Road Exit 231. The trail continues between the Highway and the Coldwater River and rejoins the KVR as it approaches Juliet Station.  Juliet Station is located on the other side of the Highway after crossing the rail bridge over Juliet Creek and going under the Highway (This highway interchange can be a bit confusing.  Keep in mind that you need to get to the other side of the Highway).

Brodie Trail (Juliet Station to Brodie Station - 9.4 km)

From the Juliet 'person' gate 2.4 km past the overpass by taking the road that parallels the highway you come to a self-closing gate installed for trail users at the animal fence. From the gate follow the KVR all the way to Brodie Station on the east side of the Highway.

The two major washouts, about 750 m apart, along this route are particularly difficult for cyclists and unsuitable for equestrians.  Both these trails (150 m long) require the pushing and lifting of bikes. A walking trail gets rebuilt yearly by the Nicola Explorers across these slides.  They are very sandy and is subject to continuous filling in from above.  Dismount and take great care crossing this slide watching for anything coming down from above.

Cyclists always have the option of staying on the shoulder of the highway, in which case, will need to go up the hill to the Larson Exit 250 and turn back south on the east side of the highway to the Brodie rail bridge.

Brookmere Trail (Brodie Station to Brookmeere Station - 6.3 km)

Cross over the rail bridge going east (the other branch goes all the way to Merritt). Follow the rail grade all the way to Brookmere.

Distances:

Public Washroom Facilities and Staging areas (Parking)
Coquihalla Lakes Rest Area

Accommodation
Camping and lodging
Coquihalla Lakes Lodge - As of 2006 camping will no longer be available at the Lodge site.  One night cabin stays are available during the week. Click on link for details.

Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, other
 

Shops and Restaurants
None
Sometimes there may be a food stand in the Coquihalla Lakes Rest area.

For More Information
Coquihalla Summit Provincial Park
Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park (Othello Tunnels)
 

Bear Safety

Trans Canada Trail Descriptions by Area

Buy Your Metre of Trail here