It was mid July when my step sister gave me a copy of “Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway” by Dan & Sandra Langford. The book went to the most coveted reading location in the house—the bathroom book shelf! After reading through the introduction, and looking out at the summer sun, I knew that before the summer was out I would have to give some thought to a cycling trip to the KVR myself.
As luck would have it, my high school friend, Jim, lives in Penticton with his family so I decided to invite myself up for a visit. After arriving at his house, he gave me some ideas about the touristy things to do in the area. Knowing that I had brought along my trusty, and now somewhat dog-eared copy of the book, Jim suggested that we do a day trip to Kelowna and cycle Myra Canyon, part of the Carmi Subdivision of the KVR. Of course, I said yes!
After packing a lunch and deciding which wine would go best with the ham and cheese sandwiches, we were off to Kelowna. We arrived at the gravel parking area a short time later and prepared our bikes. This is a 12 km ride (each way) that takes the riders over no less than
18 trestles and through 2 tunnels. The canyon starts at Myra station, which now is just foundation blocks, milepost 134 from Midway. It ends at milepost 146. We opted to do the 2% upgrade first, so we could coast back to our cars at the end of the day.
Sixteen of the eighteen trestles are wood, with two steel bridges—replacements for wood trestles in a 1929 line upgrade project. The longest is at milepost 142, the Pooley Creek—West Fork Canyon Creek bridge. This long curving steel trestle is 220 metres in length and 55 metres high. For creature comfort there are now three outhouse stations along the route, the rail bed is hard packed and wide, and there are benches at spots where one can rest and look out at the vistas to Kelowna far below—a beautiful view.
The summit on this section is at milepost 138, a height of 1,274 metres. At both ends, there is a large map of the canyon and a mention of the group that keeps this section in top shape—the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society. What a superb job they have done!
This is a great way to spend a day and get some fresh air and exercise as well, interspersed with a liberal dose of railway history. Directions to the parking area are available at the Kelowna Tourist Info stop, but its quite easy—just follow Highway 97 north through Kelowna, turn right onto Gordon and follow it to KLO Road, make a left and follow the signs to McCulloch. A right onto June Springs and you are on your way to the parking lot—about 4.6 km ahead on gravel road.
You won’t be disappointed!
