Back in Canada

Cranbrook-to-Kimberley Rail Trail

A year ago, while we were driving back between Cranbrook and Kimberley, all of a sudden we noticed a bike path paralleling the highway. Stephen had talked about riding it - he knew that it went all the way to Kimberley and was an old railway track. It is known as the North Star Rail Trail. So we skidded to a stop, and Stephen retrieved his bike from the car, and he pedalled happily to Kimberley. I, on the other hand, drove the car to Kimberley, where we connected, loaded up his bike, and carried on our way.

But Stephen was always a bit disappointed that he hadn't started the ride at the beginning.

For today, he determined the precise coordinates of the beginning and end of the trail. I dropped him off at the starting point in Cranbrook and picked him up at the end in Kimberley. Then we headed back to Cranbrook and on to Fernie, where we are spending the night.

Here is the Google Earth view of his 26 km ride:

It was a steady climb. Here is his elevation profile:

These are some photos that he took along the way.

He was a hot and tired biker by the time he got to Kimberley - it was 34 deg C according to the chariot!

Fernie

It is truly amazing how things can change in a mere 11 days. You may recall in my post of June 20, we got here as the Elk River was going over its banks (not as impressive as the Bow and Elbow Rivers doing that, but still quite interesting!)

After his bike ride earlier today, Stephen had just about enough energy to check out Maiden Lake. This Google Earth view shows our 1.6 km walk around the lake and checking out the river.

I am going to show you some comparison shots. First, the before and after of the path that leads around the little lake:

Another before and after.

I don't have a before picture of this, but the dock was way out in the middle of the lake - we couldn't see that finger of land connecting with the dock.

This park bench was in water almost to the bottom of the seat.

This park bench was in water above the seat.

Then we followed the path along Elk River. Compare these two photos, taken today, with the two videos following. All were taken at about the same spot.

All in all, quite a change.

Flora

I do love daisies.

Tomorrow

We go home!