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Making-Tracks

Kalamalka Park's Comin' Round the Mountain Trail worth the effort

North Okanagan trail

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park has several candidates for this introductory trails series, but a favourite is Comin' Round the Mountain, located on the popular Vernon-area park's northern edge.

The Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen (and multiple friends) park at the so-called “Red Gate” trailhead on Kidston Road.

(Hint: The Sheriff always recommends taking a photo of the trail map whenever possible so you have it on your cell phone and can zoom in if you need clarification at a trail junction.)

From the Red Gate's trail map, a short distance up the Corral Trail (watch on your left) is the start of Comin' Round the Mountain, a gentle up-and-down trail with numerous panoramic views of Vernon to the north. A bench with a great perspective is partway down the trail and is a perfect snack break.

A word of caution, the descent to the Cosens Bay parking lot can be challenging and remember, you have to climb back up if you plan to do an out-and-back hike or bike ride, returning to the Red Gate by the same route.

Also, a reminder from the Sheriff, trails look completely different depending on your direction so it's like two trails in one if you are doing an out-and-back. You can stop at the bench on your way back if you want that snack or lunch later in your outing.

The Sheriff and CCC have done the out-and-back numerous times over the years but they usually add in the trail down to Cosens Bay for lunch. And then back up to the Cozens Bay parking lot and up again to Comin' Round the Mountain.

However, if you are up for a more of a challenge, Corral Trail will take you from the Red Gate down to Cosens Bay. Caution: Corral, rated green believe it or not, is steep with switchbacks heading south down to lake level. The Sheriff walks his e-bike down several sections, including the final, narrow descent to Cosens Bay.

Your reward is, without doubt, one of the finest views in the Okanagan Valley. The Sheriff has climbed Corral Trail from Cosens Bay numerous times (thank heavens for his e-bike's “walk” function) but you face into the hill while focusing on the steep climb.

Coming down, as suggested, you have that incredible view in front of you the entire way. It's the same kind of view, to a lesser extent, when you are taking the Cosens Bay Trail from the Cosens Bay parking lot down to the bay. The lake view is always right in front of you.

Alltrails.com—always a great source of information—describes Comin' Round the Mountain (hiking) as follows: "8.5-km loop trail near Coldstream. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of two hours, 35 minutes to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking and horseback riding, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through October."

In addition, “it is a great loop with a little bit of everything—climbs, long downhills, mountaintop views of the lake, switchbacks and a beach. Going in either direction will have its challenges and steep sections. There are beautiful views of Kalamalka Lake and of Coldstream. As a mountain bike run, there are some nice and flowing downhill runs with a bit of technical terrain through the trees."

BC Parks also says about the park: "Nestled along the Coldstream Valley bordering the District of Coldstream, this fine example of North Okanagan grassland is dotted with ponderosa pine and groves of Douglas fir. The spring wildflower show is truly spectacular. The largely-undeveloped park has an all-season appeal to those interested in its natural setting.

"A variety of animals, birds, reptiles and plant life reside in a mosaic of grassland communities. To date, 432 varieties of vascular plants have been identified in the park, rare for such a small area. This peaceful park is ideal for the study and appreciation of natural history all year-round."

One of the favourite outings for the Sheriff and CCC is kayaking from Kekuli Bay Provincial Park across the lake and following the east shoreline north to Cosens Bay. Then, return by paddling west along the Cosens Bay shoreline, crossing to the west side of the lake and admiring the beautiful yellow and orange cliffs above the Okanagan Rail Trail.

•••

Here is a follow-up to the June 23 column about Myra Canyon.

It was posted on the Friends of South Slopes (FOSS) Facebook page June 29 by Cabin Resource Management in regardis to the Myra Canyon Trestles.

"After six months of work, starting in the fall of 2023, our Rec team has completed the re-decking of the Myra Canyon Trestles in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. This project was completed with B.C. Parks and involved 3,800 square-metres of decking with a grand total of 59,148 five-inch Ardox spiral nails, which equals a whopping 473,184 hammer swings!

"Tackling these monumental structures was an incredible achievement, and looking across the canyon, it was hard not to think of the pioneers who first carved out this line over 100 years ago.

"We’re proud to add our name to the many who have contributed to the restoration of these historic trestles to ensure that future generations can enjoy a piece of our province’s history. But more than that, we’re proud to be able to be a part of improving safety for the community, and tourists, to access this outdoor space. We sure enjoyed working up here, and hope you can get out and walk in the footsteps of history too!"

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



More Making Tracks articles

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About the Author

J.P. Squire arrived in the Okanagan Valley from flatland Chatham, Ont. in the middle of the night in the spring of 1980. Waking up in the Highway 97 motel, he looked across the then-four-lane roadway at Mount Baldy and commented: "Oh my God, there's mountains." Driving into downtown Kelowna, he exclaimed: "Oh my God, there's a lake."

The rest is history. After less than a month in Kelowna, he concluded: "I'm going to live here for a long time." And he did.

Within weeks and months, he was hiking local hillsides, playing rec hockey at Memorial Arena and downhill skiing at Big White Ski Resort. After purchasing a hobby farm in the Glenmore Valley in 1986, he bought the first of many Tennessee Walking Horses. After meeting Constant Companion Carmen in 1999, he bought two touring kayaks and they began exploring Interior lakes and B.C.'s coast.

The outdoor recreation column began with downhill ski coverage every winter as the Ski Sheriff but soon progressed to a year-round column as the Hiking, Biking, Kayaking and Horseback Riding Sheriff.

His extensive list of contacts in Okanagan outdoor recreation clubs, organizations and groups means a constant flow of emails about upcoming events and activities which will be posted on Castanet every Sunday.

You can email the Sheriff at: [email protected].



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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