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The “Kelowna Airport Loop,” a personal favourite, will have you flying past all manner of aircraft, eating at a Convair-theme restaurant, admiring flying water and flying down an impressive rural hill in the Ellison area of Kelowna.
The arrival of fall in the Southern Interior is a reminder the hiking, biking, kayaking and horseback riding season is slowly, inexorably, coming to an end for all but the most hardy outdoor enthusiasts. So the Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen make a point of hitting all their favourite trails for what could be their last outing on each in 2024.
One of those e-biking favourites is what the Sheriff nicknamed the “Kelowna Airport Loop.” It more than fulfills the Sheriff's aim to hike, bike, kayak or horseback ride to something unusual, something unique, something to keep you coming back as it changes with the seasons.
You start the loop at the Ellison overpass of the Okanagan Rail Trail. You can park at a small lot on Bulman Road, just off Highway 97 near the UBCO exit, or cycle there from Rutland, downtown or Glenmore Valley (via John Hindle Drive).
Then you ride on the Okanagan Rail Trail to Kelowna International Airport and use the Airport Way multi-use path to the KF Centre for Excellence - Okanagan Aerospace and Aviation Museum.
Inside and out, it showcases some of the world’s rarest aircraft, from legendary Second World War fighter planes to iconic airliners, plus the 50-plus history of Kelowna Airport and Kelowna Flightcraft founder Barry Lapointe.
On March 25, 1970, in a field beside Kelowna Airport, Lapointe established an aircraft repair company which has grown into a world-renowned leader in aircraft maintenance, engineering, flight operations, leasing, military pilot training and defence programs. The museum grew out of his simple napkin sketch, the idea to build it in the shape of an aircraft.
Even if you don't tour this massive building, you can look through its floor-to-ceiling windows or walk around the large aircraft parked outside. The atmosphere is all aircraft, aircraft, aircraft. You see and hear the almost-constant buzz of commercial and private aircraft taking off and landing at the airport. There's the hum of helicopters overhead. There's the sight of numerous large jets undergoing maintenance and repairs on one side, and small airplanes parked on the other side of Airport Way.
Group rides on the Kelowna Airport Loop often involve dropping in for lunch at quirky Convair Corner, a cafe at 5655 Airport Way that is filled with aeronautical-inspired decor—real airplane seats, interior plane panels and overhead bins. For true aficionados, there's a display of aircraft-themed gifts.
Located within a working hangar at KF Aerospace, it started out as a cafe for the hundreds of company employees but quickly attracted employees of other businesses and airport visitors.
Continue on Kelowna Airport Loop as it turns onto Old Vernon Road (extreme caution—no bike lanes but not much traffic) where you can pause at the end of the runway—like many motorists do— to experience planes zooming over your head as they take off and land.
Satiated by modern air transportation options, cross Mill Creek Bridge (now a bike path) to the intersection of Old Vernon Road and Spencer Road. On Spencer Road, just around the curve, is the quiet hidden gem, the 13.5-hectare Mill Creek Regional Park. It’s a serene place to enjoy a forested creekside trail leading to cascading Mill Creek Falls.
During the record-breaking heat of summer, you can picnic in the shade of giant black cottonwood and cedar trees or go for a dip in the deep pond at the falls’ base. A family-friendly trail on moderately flat terrain, you can take the wide gravel Waterfall Trail or detour onto the narrower Boardwalk Trail (steps not easy for a heavy e-bike) to the lower waterfall. Those more adventurous can climb over boulders, trees and rough terrain to two upper waterfalls, not done personally.
Home to early settlers, the Mill Creek area was used for farming, cattle ranching and logging in the late 18th century. But starting in 1905, sections of the area were sold for real estate development.
With that side trip completed, return to Old Vernon Road and head south a short distance to Postill Drive (Postill Lake Road). Postill Lake was the source of irrigation water for the Glenmore Ellison Improvement District for decades.
A short distance up a hill and around a curve is Rittich Road which has this glorious downhill where you can coast past rural Ellison farmland as fast as you feel safe.
Rittich Road turns into Black Road as you look down on the Kelowna airport, and it connects to Anderson Road. Ancient Hills Estate Winery at 4918 Anderson Road is perfect for a break or lunch. A short distance down Anderson Road is the return to Old Vernon Road. Turn left and within a short distance is Bulman Road which takes you back to the Ellison overpass.
You can get one last look at aircraft taking off and landing at this end of the main runway, and can wave at golfers teeing off at Sunset Ranch Golf Club.
Years ago, as a journalist, the Sheriff took photos and interviewed local residents when Mill Creek flooded from the golf course to the overpass.
Next week: A break from the Introductory Trails series, with a profile of three Kelowna women who played a key role in the creation of the modern-day Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park on the South Slopes of Kelowna.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
