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not Thompson-Okanagon (sic) as nowhere near Thompson; that's the BC Toursim designation for this region, but proper geogrpahic regions are Okanagan and Boundary
 
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{{Citations missing|date = March 2015}}
[[File:KVR Bridge Over The Kettle River - panoramio.jpg|220px|thumbnail|right|KVR Bridge over the [[West Kettle River]]]]
The '''Kettle Valley Rail Trail''' is a multi-use recreational [[rail trail]] located in the [[Okanagan]]-[[Boundary Country|Boundary]] region of southern [[British Columbia]].
The '''Kettle Valley Rail Trail''' is a multi-use recreational [[rail trail]] located in the [[Okanagan]]-[[Boundary Country|Boundary]] region of southern [[British Columbia]].


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==Myra Canyon Trestles==
==Myra Canyon Trestles==
[[Image:Jamie Edwards Myra Canyon - August 2003.JPG|thumb|220px|right|Photograph of Myra Canyon Rail Bridge taken just days before it was destroyed by fire. August, [[2003]].]]
[[File:Myra Canyon Section of the Kettle Valley Railway August 2003.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Photograph of Myra Canyon Rail Bridge taken just days before it was destroyed by fire. August, 2003.]]

[[Image:2003 Okanagan Fire Trestle.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Firefighters stand in front of a Myra Canyon trestle soaked in fire retardant. August, [[2003]].]]
One of the most popular sections of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is the section through Myra Canyon.
One of the most popular sections of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is the section through Myra Canyon.<ref>{{cite news |title=British Columbia's gentle cycle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/190031846 |access-date=May 15, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 23, 2003 |page=L10}}</ref>


Myra Canyon is located south of Kelowna on Okanagan Mountain. The section of line originally transited between [[Midway, British Columbia|Midway]] and [[Penticton, British Columbia|Penticton]]. When the railway was built, the section of railway between Myra station and June Springs station required 18 wooden trestles and two tunnels in order to traverse the deep canyon.
Myra Canyon is located south of Kelowna on Okanagan Mountain. The section of line originally transited between [[Midway, British Columbia|Midway]] and [[Penticton, British Columbia|Penticton]]. When the railway was built, the section of railway between Myra station and June Springs station required 18 wooden trestles and two tunnels in order to traverse the deep canyon.


For years after the abandonment of this section of rail line, the area was a noted attraction, with its relatively gentle grade, it became a hiker and cyclist haven. Years of disrepair on the trestles began to take its toll on the line. In some cases vandals had removed railway ties on the larger steel bridges, thus creating large gaps. In some cases hikers and cyclists wanting to cross the trestles would be required to walk on sections of steel no wider than a foot across in sections where the ties were removed. This would not normally be an issue, but many of these trestles and bridges were hundreds of feet in height. However after a fatal accident involving a cyclist on one of the trestles, many people petitioned to have the bridges and trestles made safer. These upgrades included repairs after numerous years of disrepair, and the installation of handrails and planks so that people did not have to jump between each railway tie.
For years after the abandonment of this section of rail line, the area was a noted attraction; with its relatively gentle grade, it became a hiker and cyclist haven. Years of disrepair on the trestles began to take their toll on the line. In some cases vandals had removed railway ties on the larger steel bridges, thus creating large gaps. In some cases hikers and cyclists wanting to cross the trestles would be required to walk on sections of steel no wider than a foot across in sections where the ties were removed. This would not normally be an issue, but many of these trestles and bridges were hundreds of feet in height. However, after a fatal accident involving a cyclist on one of the trestles, many people petitioned to have the bridges and trestles made safer. These upgrades included repairs after numerous years of disrepair, and the installation of handrails and planks so that people did not have to jump between each railway tie.

This section of the railway was designated a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] in 2002.<ref>{{CRHP|9349|Myra Canyon Section of the Kettle Valley Railway|28 January 2012}}</ref>


From August to September 2003, lightning sparked the [[2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire]] in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park. This fire rapidly grew in strength and size and made its way Southeast across Okanagan Mountain. This fire engulfed many portions of the KVR between Penticton and McCulloch Lake. After a valiant fight by the firefighters, the fire unfortunately claimed 12 of the 18 trestles within Myra Canyon. In addition, the bridge decks of two of the metal bridges were also destroyed in the fire.
From August to September 2003, lightning sparked the [[2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire]] in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park. This fire rapidly grew in strength and size and made its way Southeast across Okanagan Mountain. This fire engulfed many portions of the KVR between Penticton and McCulloch Lake. After a valiant fight by the firefighters, the fire unfortunately claimed 12 of the 18 trestles within Myra Canyon. In addition, the bridge decks of two of the metal bridges were also destroyed in the fire.


Soon after the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire in 2003, the B.C provincial government announced that it would rebuild the damaged and destroyed trestles and bridges. In addition, safety improvements including stabilizing rock faces along the line and clearing rock also has taken place. As of December 2006, public access is now available from the Myra parking lot to Trestle #12 on the east side and from Ruth parking lot to Trestle #2 on the west side. Restoration of the trail has been completed with an official re-opening ceremony held June 22, 2008.
Soon after the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire in 2003, the B.C provincial government announced that it would rebuild the damaged and destroyed trestles and bridges. Restoration of the trail was completed, with an official re-opening ceremony held June 22, 2008. In addition, safety improvements including clearing and rock face stabilization along the line have taken place.

==Severe Damage to Trail near Princeton==

The extreme flooding event of November 2022 washed out many portions of the rail grade west of Princeton. Currently{{When|date=May 2024}} the path is unusable from Princeton to Coalmont, Tulameen, Brookmere, and Coquihalla Lakes.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Kettle Valley Railway]]
* [[Kettle Valley Railway]]
* [[Kettle Valley Steam Railway]]
* [[Kettle Valley Steam Railway]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.tourismpenticton.com Penticton's Official Tourism Site].
* [http://www.tourismpenticton.com Penticton's Official Tourism Site].

*[http://www.spiritof2010trail.ca/ Spirit of 2010 Trail Site].
{{NHSC}}

{{coord missing|British Columbia}}


[[Category:Rail trails in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Rail trails in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Historic trails and roads in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Historic trails and roads in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Boundary Country]]
[[Category:Boundary Country]]
[[Category:Okanagan Country]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Okanagan]]

Latest revision as of 01:09, 19 May 2024

KVR Bridge over the West Kettle River

The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail located in the Okanagan-Boundary region of southern British Columbia.

The trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the now-abandoned Kettle Valley Railway. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the Canadian Pacific Railway abandoned train service.

Myra Canyon Trestles

[edit]
Photograph of Myra Canyon Rail Bridge taken just days before it was destroyed by fire. August, 2003.

One of the most popular sections of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is the section through Myra Canyon.[1]

Myra Canyon is located south of Kelowna on Okanagan Mountain. The section of line originally transited between Midway and Penticton. When the railway was built, the section of railway between Myra station and June Springs station required 18 wooden trestles and two tunnels in order to traverse the deep canyon.

For years after the abandonment of this section of rail line, the area was a noted attraction; with its relatively gentle grade, it became a hiker and cyclist haven. Years of disrepair on the trestles began to take their toll on the line. In some cases vandals had removed railway ties on the larger steel bridges, thus creating large gaps. In some cases hikers and cyclists wanting to cross the trestles would be required to walk on sections of steel no wider than a foot across in sections where the ties were removed. This would not normally be an issue, but many of these trestles and bridges were hundreds of feet in height. However, after a fatal accident involving a cyclist on one of the trestles, many people petitioned to have the bridges and trestles made safer. These upgrades included repairs after numerous years of disrepair, and the installation of handrails and planks so that people did not have to jump between each railway tie.

This section of the railway was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2002.[2]

From August to September 2003, lightning sparked the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park. This fire rapidly grew in strength and size and made its way Southeast across Okanagan Mountain. This fire engulfed many portions of the KVR between Penticton and McCulloch Lake. After a valiant fight by the firefighters, the fire unfortunately claimed 12 of the 18 trestles within Myra Canyon. In addition, the bridge decks of two of the metal bridges were also destroyed in the fire.

Soon after the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire in 2003, the B.C provincial government announced that it would rebuild the damaged and destroyed trestles and bridges. Restoration of the trail was completed, with an official re-opening ceremony held June 22, 2008. In addition, safety improvements including clearing and rock face stabilization along the line have taken place.

Severe Damage to Trail near Princeton

[edit]

The extreme flooding event of November 2022 washed out many portions of the rail grade west of Princeton. Currently[when?] the path is unusable from Princeton to Coalmont, Tulameen, Brookmere, and Coquihalla Lakes.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "British Columbia's gentle cycle". Los Angeles Times. August 23, 2003. p. L10. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  2. ^ Myra Canyon Section of the Kettle Valley Railway. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
[edit]

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