Popular Knox Mountain trail has a happy (and cool) ending – Making Tracks

J.P. Squire – Jul 28, 2024 / 4:00 am | Story: 499018

Photo: J.P. Squire

If you take Paul’s Tomb Trail from the Apex Lookout, you will enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Okanagan Lake in the valley. In spring, the north-facing slope is covered with bright yellow blossoms of the Okanagan sunflower aka arrowleaf balsamroot.

Photo: J.P. Squire

If you take Paul’s Tomb Trail from the Apex Lookout, you will enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Okanagan Lake in the valley. In spring, the north-facing slope is covered with bright yellow blossoms of the Okanagan sunflower aka arrowleaf balsamroot.

When the outside temperature exceeds 30 C, you should escape to the Paul’s Tomb Trail in Kelowna’s Knox Mountain Park.

It has a happy (and cool) ending, a secret crypt notwithstanding. It’s a relatively short ride from the large parking lot at the base of Knox Mountain up Knox Mountain Drive to the trailhead at Apex Lookout or even closer, from the small parking area along Poplar Point Drive. From the latter, a two-kilometre walk or bike ride takes you to a picturesque bay with buoys lining a swimming area. If you don’t mind a wet bottom, swimming in your hiking/bike shorts and top will keep you cool all the way back to your vehicle.

The Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen’s favourite route is the first, climbing Knox Mountain Drive to the Apex Lookout (a great update is now complete), then taking Paul’s Tomb Trail down, with the best panoramic views of Okanagan Lake.

Even though this popular and easy lakeside trail is named after Rembler Paul, few people know about the almost-buried crypt just uphill from the bay.

The Sheriff recently dug through his archives and found The Legendary Rembler Paul, written by Lynda (Paul) Doyle, his great, great granddaughter.

By coincidence, the Sheriff shares the same Sept. 10 birthday as Rembler, both have (had) beards, both love(d) horses and Rembler also worked in the print industry.

“Who was Rembler Paul? He was a generous, strong, confident character who was concerned with the humane treatment of animals, a man who cared about his family. An eccentric, a cunning entrepreneur, an adventurous soul, a pioneer, a practised disciplinarian and a good Conservative,” wrote Doyle.

Photo: City of Kelowna

This map on the Paul’s Tomb Trail sign, erected at the flat spot at the north end of the trail, is where a Paul cabin once stood. Just uphill from there is Paul’s Tomb although a mound of dirt covers most of its entrance, leaving only the arched top with the construction date of AD1910.

“As I grew up, my mother enjoyed relating to us kids all of the family history. While her side of the family was keenly interesting, my dad’s side held the intrigue. My older brother and I had the opportunity as young teens to go on a camping vacation with our grandma and our uncle, circa 1965. One of the stops in British Columbia was to see the Paul Tomb.

“Our great, great grandfather, Rembler, and his wife, Elizabeth, were buried there, and we could not wait to embark on this adventure. Family lore suggested that the eldest son of each generation could be buried there, thus setting up my brother, Barrie, for many occasions of taunting sibling rivalry.

“When we finally saw the tomb, we were a bit disappointed. A load of gravel was pushed up against the old door in the middle of a greyish wall entrance into a hillside. It was a letdown after a long walk to get there and all the fantasy. This did inspire me, however, to find out about the man within. A family historian was born and I continue to learn more about my eccentric relative, even imagining how I could be as colourful as he.”

The adventurous life of Rembler Paul began when he was born on landing in Montreal, Que. on Sept. 10, 1832. The family of Thomas and Sarah Paul, from Norfolk, England, spent its first four years in Quebec before moving to Toronto where Thomas was a veterinary surgeon, and opened the first “repository” for the sale of horses and carriages, she said.

One of Rembler’s early jobs was as an apprentice at the British Whig in Kingston, Ont., learning to set type in the printing trade. Finding this tedious and dull, he lost interest and soon began his wandering westward.

Rembler followed in his father’s footsteps as a veterinary surgeon for 20 years but in 1879, he turned to real estate speculation and mines, owning the St. Paul Gold Mine 60 miles from Vernon, a silver mine in Thunder Bay and a coal mine in Bancroft, Ont. He was also known as one of the first white men to explore land east and west of the Rockies.

He married Elizabeth H. Davis of Toronto. They had one son, Samuel G. Paul; and in 1905, the family established their home in downtown Kelowna. The Pauls owned eight acres extending north from Bernard Avenue, bounded on the east by Richter Street (then known as Cameron’s Lane).

In 1912, Rembler built a summer cottage on the flat spot near the tomb which was his 1910 legacy project. It was only the second house on the lake immediately north of downtown. The building materials had to be transported by barge.

The Pauls loved gardening and kept great gardens, including at the tomb. With a team of horses and a wagon, Rembler played Santa, distributing Christmas hampers. In his later years, he had a perfectly-groomed full white beard making him appear even more like Old Saint Nick.

“Rembler’s wife, an invalid for many years, died of cancer on June 5, 1914 at 83 years becoming the first in the family vault. Rembler, not feeling well, went to Edmonton with a school chum and died at age 85 on Nov. 23, 1916. He was the second and last to rest in the Paul Tomb. At the time of his internment, friends opened Elizabeth’s coffin. The copper casket had a small glass insert and friends witnessed a perfectly-preserved Elizabeth,” wrote Doyle.

The crypt was built 100 feet above Okanagan Lake, 100 yards back, had 16-inch concrete walls and a steel door with a combination lock. The interior is 15 feet long, nine feet wide and seven feet high, large enough for eight coffins. The lock wasn’t foolproof and after a 1971 break-in, a local contractor placed 10 feet of soil in front of the door. The door is still covered but the top of the front arch can still be seen with its AD1910 date.

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

J.P. Squire – Jul 21, 2024 / 4:00 am | Story: 498021

Photo: J.P. Squire

The highlight of Brandt’s Creek Linear Park is the large Valley Glen Wetland. You can watch flocks of ducks from the benches on a triangular side trail that surrounds it. There is a small bridge, the “East and West Duck Islands” and the first three sculptures of a series called Growth.

Brandt’s Creek Linear Park in Kelowna’s Glenmore Valley is another trail gem in the Okanagan.

Hidden in a North Glenmore residential area, its gravel trail beside a meandering stream connects seven city parks and offers an incredible variety of amenities from two tunnels and multiple wetlands to children’s playgrounds, community gardens and a sculpture series. In other words, there’s something for all ages.

In the past, the Sheriff listed his top Okanagan trails and presented Brandt’s Creek Linear Park his unofficial award for best small creek trail in an urban area.

The south end begins with an unremarkable wide asphalt walkway at the intersection of Summit Drive and Valley Road. From Valley Road, it simply looks like a plain tree-lined pathway. But walking or cycling it, you’ll find ducklings learning how to swim in the small stream on the other side of a metal rail fence.

After climbing a gentle hill to Yates Road, you will discover its major highlight—the large Valley Glen wetland, filled with ducks you can watch from a triangular side trail that surrounds it. There is a picturesque bridge, benches to appreciate the bustling wildlife swimming around two islands and the first three sculptures of a series called Growth.

A well-worn plaque, dated 2008, says seven granite, porcelain and terrazzo sculptures by Karl Ciesluk are located in three parks between Yates and Kane roads. Plaques at each explain: “The works evoke seed pods of fruit symbolizing renewal and transformation, and reminds us of the Glenmore Valley’s agricultural roots.”

The nearby tunnel is an opportunity to enjoy the resounding echoes of your voice, whether it’s a Tarzan yell or yeehaws. A deep voice produces the best results.

Past the Cross Road commercial area (watch for traffic cutting across the trail) Glen Park Drive takes you along a quiet residential street on one side of Matera Glen Park before a short trail over to Glenmore Road and a pedestrian-activated crosswalk.

Years ago, this was the end of linear park phase one and phase two started on the other side of Glenmore Road. Unfortunately, there were no signs directing you from phase one to phase two. You had to find your way down a short walkway to Snowsell Street, head north to Biggar Road and rejoin the trail through Cross Glen Park.

The Sheriff contacted the city’s parks department about the need for directional signs. Parks’ staff agreed and ordered signs but warned it could be fall before they could be fabricated and installed. So the Sheriff printed a large “Brandt’s Creek Linear Park” on 8.5 by 11-inch white paper, added arrows and placed them inside plastic sheet protectors. Zip ties attached the temporary signs to fences and posts. They were removed when the official signs were erected months later but you can still see the occasional zip tie.

The linear park then winds through neighbourhoods to Millard Glen Park on Millard Court West. You might find the south end uninteresting but cross the grass to what the Sheriff nicknamed Secret Pond, located just off the Millard Place cul-de-sac. Resident ducks will quickly waddle over looking for a treat from the new “neighbours.”

Brandt’s Creek Linear Park remains a neighbourhood secret perhaps because the official city web page only tells you the park is 5.11 hectares and dogs must be on-leash. It has only a small Google map, which you have to enlarge significantly and then see just a small part of the route.

The popular website, alltrails.com, isn’t much better.

“Discover this 4.3-km point-to-point trail. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of one hour four minutes to complete (walking). This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking and running but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime,” it says.

It’s not just for mountain biking, but for all types of bikes.

More detail is available from Geoff, who writes a blog at mywanderlustwalking.com. However, he has been incommunicado for several weeks. He wrote a series of reviews for what he calls his Kelowna Parks Challenge to visit all of Kelowna’s public parks.

“Brandt’s Creek Linear Park. This urban trail provided one of the best walks we’ve had in Kelowna so far,” he wrote.

An information board on Union Road notes the two branches of Brandt’s Creek drain the Glenmore Valley and that the western branch was engineered for stormwater management.

“This involved creating an urban trail along most of its length with a series of parks strung along the path. Each park comprises a lowered area with a small wetland, where flooding stormwater can gather and rise safely before moving on to the next park. Altogether, this makes for an extremely delightful walking experience. We saw ducks and muskrats in the ponds, and many people out enjoying the lawns and playgrounds,” said Geoff.

Here are the highlights of each park, from south to north.

• Valley Glen Wetland: two creek branches merge in a large pond with ‘East and West Duck Islands’, bridge, benches and three Growth sculptures.

• Sutton Glen Park: Sutton Glen Community Garden, porta-potty, two sculptures.

• Whitman Glen Park: Great open area for a Parks Alive! coffee house/acoustic concert on Aug. 13.

• Matera Glen Park: Playground, asphalt basketball court, skateboard feature, two picnic tables.

• Cross Glen Park: Playground, tennis court, picnic table.

• Newport Glen Park: Children’s playground, picnic table.

• Millard Glen Park: Secret Pond.

“The parks along the Brandt’s Creek Linear Park are one of the best examples I’ve seen of wetlands restored or constructed to handle excess water. These projects are a win for people and for wildlife. The people get a lovely natural amenity to enjoy and the wildlife get a bit of their natural homeland back,” said Geoff.

Photo: Map courtesy Ride with GPS

The City of Kelowna website doesn’t use the best Google map to illustrate the entire route for Brandt’s Creek Linear Park so the Ride with GPS app was used recently to document the route of the 4.3-kilometre trail which starts at Valley/Summit and ends at Millard Court West.

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

J.P. Squire – Jul 14, 2024 / 4:00 am | Story: 497069

Photo: J.P. Squire

Beside the Quail Flume Trail are the remnants of concrete flumes constructed by Central Okanagan Lands Ltd. in the early 1900s. In all, 34 miles of concrete ditches, flumes and steel pipelines created a gravity-fed water supply from the Mill Creek watershed (including Postill and South lakes) east of Kelowna International Airport.

Hundreds of thousands now know about the Okanagan Rail Trail but how many have heard of the Quail Flume and Eagle View trails?

The ORT is the superhighway of Okanagan trails, comparable to the KVR Trail’s Little Tunnel and Skaha Lake segments. Quail Flume and Eagle View, on the other hand, are two of the valley’s little gems, secret trails known only to neighbours, UBCO students and, of course, eagles.

The Sheriff learned about the gravel trails between UBC Okanagan and the Quail Ridge residential community/golf course from horseback riders who used the trails for years before Quail Ridge Linear Park was established by the City of Kelowna.

The posted trail map for the linear park is a little dated (pre-2018) because it shows a future John Hindle Drive between Glenmore Road and UBCO. It also doesn’t show Quail Flume Trail connecting to UBCO’s Pine Loop at the south end. Pine Loop (1.6 kilometres) starts on the driveway to parking lot W on Discovery Avenue, between the Upper Campus Health and daycare buildings. Pine Loop eventually loops back to the north end of Discovery Avenue. The new version of the online the campus map shows Pine Loop as an unnamed dotted yellow line, missing the previous trail names and trailheads.

Head north on Pine Loop (behind the daycare) and it connects directly to Quail Flume Trail just past the campus trails map sign (also outdated). As you pass the fence at the rear of the day care, watch for pre-school toys. Like the Sheriff, toss them back over the fence to the giggling youngsters and hope they don’t throw them back.

Quail Flume Trail is steeped in Okanagan history because it follows a short section of the concrete V-shaped flume built by Central Okanagan Lands Ltd. in the early 1900s to distribute water to Glenmore Valley farms. The total length of Quail Flume Trail is 3.3 kilometres with an elevation change of only 10 metres.

Photo: Contributed

This outdated map of Quail Ridge Linear Park posted at the Quail Crescent trailhead illustrates both Eagle View and Quail Flume trails. The south end of the linear park connects to UBCO’s Pine Loop which has trailheads behind Upper Campus Health/day care and the north end of Discovery Avenue.

At the north end of Quail Flume Trail, past The Okanagan Golf Club and a small play structure, a trail to your right leads to a trailhead and small parking lot on Quail Crescent in the Quail Ridge subdivision. However, your best experience is to turn left onto Eagle View Trail which takes you back south toward UBCO.

A short distance down the trail, watch for orange flagging tape on bushes to your right. If you line up the four pieces of flagging tape, they point across a power line to a large tree. Two-thirds of the way up the tree is a huge bald eagle nest where you can see young birds every spring. Recently, two white plastic bags were added below the nest, perhaps to draw attention to the it. Local residents say juvenile eagles learn to fly by flapping up and down Eagle View Trail.

Further south, you will find a large pond or reservoir with a line of five dead trees along its south shoreline, a favourite perch for bald eagles, perhaps looking for something edible in the pond.

At a trail fork is the start to what the Sheriff nicknamed the Eagle View Trail Loop. You can go left on the loop to return directly to Quail Flume Trail (steep uphill, perhaps walk your bike). But if you head right, Eagle View Loop loops back to the fork for a longer route. The best time to hike or bike these trails is in May when thousands of arrow leaf balsamroot are flowering. It’s become a tradition for the Sheriff and CCC to go there several times every spring to get the timing right.

It’s paid parking at lot W, so the Sheriff and CCC cycle there from the multi-use pathway on John Hindle Drive. Take Upper Campus Way to Discovery Avenue. You can also get to John Hindle Drive from the UBCO underpass on the Okanagan Rail Trail. It’s a nice way to cap off an ORT ride from downtown Kelowna or Rutland. The other option is to drive to the Quail Crescent trailhead.

“I haven’t yet walked the Eagle View Trail, but that is wonderful to know there is a bald eagle nest there,” said Abigail Riley, associate director of UBCO campus planning, who provided information about UBCO trails. “We are definitely blessed at UBCO, and in the Okanagan generally, with the great privilege of experiencing wildlife so readily in our daily lives.”

Behind the Engineering, Management and Education building on Alumni Avenue is the Old Pond Trail around the campus’s naturalized stormwater pond, she said, describing it as largely naturalized and quite lovely. In a larger circle around that is the Snowberry Loop, a paved walking circuit. The public is welcome to use any of the campus trails or walkways.

•••

A regular column reader had a word of caution about the use of alltrails.com, which has been mentioned in several Making Tracks columns.

“The big problem is that some of the trails it describes are on private land or other closed areas where people should not be going” said the reader.

“I was reminded of this recently when we were contacted by Environment and Climate Change Canada pointing out that one of the trails we followed from alltrails.com cuts through a National Wildlife Area parcel (through) which public access is prohibited. Someone was looking over our shoulder. Perhaps you could mention that users should confirm information from www.alltrails.com.”

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

J.P. Squire – Jul 7, 2024 / 4:00 am | Story: 495836

Photo: J.P. Squire

The Corral Trail at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park connects the “Red Gate” trailhead with the beach at Cosens Bay. Although this popular trail is labelled as green, or easy, it has a steep descent and several switchbacks so many cyclists walk their bikes around its curves and the final narrow path to the bay.

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.

Photo: Contributed

BC Parks postd this topographic map of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park at the Red Gate and Cosens Bay trailheads. The popular Comin’ Round the Mountain Trail follows the northern boundary of the park and connects the two trailheads.

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.