The Myra Canyon - KVR Historic Trestles

Canada / British Columbia / Kelowna /
 park, canyon / gorge, railway, rail-trail, trestle (bridge), Kettle Valley Railway (KVR), interesting place, railway bridge, historic landmark
A canyon south of Kelowna that was traversed by the Kettle Valley Railway. This monumental place contains 18 trestles (actually, two are steel bridges) and two tunnels blasted through rock, all within a 9 kilometre distance.

The railway, originally opened in 1916, was abandoned by 1978. Rail service had actually ended by 1973, when a steam locomotive traveled through the canyon during filming of the TV documentary miniseries The National Dream. In the years following, the right of way became a very popular hiking and cycling route, renowned for its dramatic scenery and the spectacular engineering. Decking and railings were built over the trestles for safety. Eventually the Myra Canyon area became a provincial park, while the entire KVR right-of-way was incorporated into the Trans Canada Trail.

Disaster struck in 2003 when the Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire destroyed 12 of the trestles and burned the wood decking of the steel bridges. Only 4 trestles were saved.

But because of the historical significance of the area, an outpouring of support from citizens as well as all levels of government and led by the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society, resulted in the rebuilding of the trestles. The work has been completed and the official reopening ceremony was held June 22, 2008.

www.myratrestles.com/index.php

www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/myra/
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettle_Valley_Railway#Myra_Canyon_Trestles
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   49°47'6"N   119°19'25"W

Comments

  • Reconstruction of the trestles was completed by the end of 2007, and the trail officially reopened in June 2008.
This article was last modified 15 years ago