Winter won’t last much longer on the ski trails
March is fulfilling its destiny as the transition month from winter to spring.
So the Ski Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen checked out the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre on Sunday and hiked the Mission Creek Greenway phase two on Wednesday.
The website of the North Okanagan cross-country resort reported a temperature of –6 C at 8 a.m.
“The trails are in terrific condition, firm and fast. Should be a great day, some overcast may keep the snow temperatures below freezing for the morning. All trails will be freshly groomed today except for some of the connectors of Upper World Cup.”
We decided to ski our favourite trail: Carl Wylie. When combined with access and other trails, it can be a great loop of 10-12 kilometres with lots of rollercoaster ups and downs. Carl Wylie Trail itself is six km.
All Sovereign Lake routes start and end at the day lodge and are well-signed so it is easy to follow your favourite loop or explore a new one.
Check out the Mobile Trail App page on the Sovereign website: sovereignlake.com. You can set it up to track your ski so you will know how far you actually went and where.
As for conditions, it was like mid-winter. The trails never softened to the point of being sticky and it was an incentive to get back up again before the season-ending weekend of April 7-8.
A reminder the wrap-up party for members and non-members on April 7 will involve an Olympicstyle team relay with teams of four — two classic, two freestyle — encouraged to dress in the colours of their country (real or imagined), to carry their country flag in a mini-flag ceremony and to compete for chocolate prizes. For diehards, there is also the Spring Fling Camp on May 10-13.
Constant Companion Carmen offered to lead a hike today on the Mission Creek Greenway in Kelowna for the Central Okanagan Outdoors Club, but we figured we’d better check out the conditions on phase two mid-week.
Even though virtually all of the snow and ice are gone from the urban area, we didn’t have to walk far from the Hollywood Road South parking lot to find large patches of snow as well as wet and slippery ice. Snow/ice grippers or cleats recommended.
We switched today’s hike to Knox Mountain Park in Kelowna.
For those unfamiliar with all three phases of the Greenway, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan website explains: “Mission Creek Greenway is a green corridor and linear trail that runs 16.5 kilometres along Mission Creek… Phase 1 which opened in the fall of 1997 is a 7.5kilometre universal access trail with a flat, hard-packed surface. Phase 2 has been in use since 2005 and is a nine-kilometre section of trail with steep terrain, switchbacks, narrow trails and loose footing. The Phase 2 trail climbs in and out of the creek canyon twice with significant elevation change, so be prepared and enjoy the journey.”
The Friends of Mission Creek website, missioncreekfriends.ca, adds: “Construction of the Phase 3 Greenway began in 2015 and continues. It starts at KLO Creek (the end of Phase 2) and will eventually extend upstream along the edge of Mission Creek to Hydraulic Creek. Visitors will be able to take a spectacular rim trail that parallels the creekside trail from KLO Creek to Hydraulic Creek. The views of Pinnacle Rock and Layer Cake Mountain are excellent.
“Visitors may soon be welcome to travel up KLO Creek to Angel Springs and perhaps as far as the Myra Canyon railway trestles.”
Until March 31, sections of the Greenway may be periodically closed for tree removal, pruning and vegetation maintenance.
***** The latest word is Telemark Nordic Ski Club west of West Kelowna will close on April 1 (“the skiing is great so come up soon,” says GM Ron Earle); Big White Ski Resort and Silver Star on April 8. In the South Okanagan, Apex Mountain Resort and Nickel Plate Nordic Centre will end the season on April 2, Mount Baldy on April 1.
***** The most popular recreational bicycling ride in the Southern Interior is the Okanagan Shuswap Century Ride, but those who don’t register quickly on April 2 will be out of luck on May 27.
“OSCR registration opens at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 2. (This is Easter Monday!) Set your alarms. OSCR will fill up in about two hours with a maximum of 475 riders,” warned founder Lisa Jaffary this week.
This year is special since it is the 20th annual ride. So the Central Okanagan Bike Riders Association (COBRA) has added a new route of 73 kilometres and riders can purchase a commemorative 20th anniversary jersey.
“There is one rider who has ridden all 20 so we will celebrate Bonnie Anderson of Vernon as well,” said Jaffary.
“I am in awe with the support of the community over the past 20 years. OSCR was one of the first Century Rides in B.C. So cool! Now looking at all the rides and Granfondos, the cycling community supports them all. And yes, I will be riding the 100K this year. I love it!”
COBRA has kept the registration limit to 475 registrations so OSCR is a small, safe, communityfocused ride, she added.
“I am so happy that we have kept the same ‘feel’ over the years. The country roads make a beautiful ride. Riders appreciate all of this. The registration fee is also affordable — $40 per person. We have great support from our partners in Armstrong, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vernon. I am thrilled that we make donations to charity organizations and local groups. That is the best.”
Cyclists of all abilities and ages can participate. There are four ride distances: 14 km, 51 km, 73 km and 100 km, all starting from Memorial Park in Armstrong. Riders must get a wristband and sign a waiver before 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. ride departure. There will be two aid stations with food/refreshments enroute, plus mobile first-aid and mechanical support along the ride.
The 14-km ride is designated for kids and families or those who would like a short ride. This ride loops around the town of Armstrong.
The 51-km ride is large loop south and then north around the town of Armstrong. The course is moderately challenging with rolling hills throughout.
The 73-km ride heads south, then loops back along scenic country roads with an out-and-back along Haywood/Armstrong Road with the turnaround just across the bridge before Salmon River Road. This course is moderately challenging with rolling hills.
The 100-km route heads south, then loops back along scenic country roads with an out-and-back along Salmon River Road. There is a loop east on Hullcar Road, then south on Landsdowne and Sleep Hollow into Armstrong. This course is moderately challenging with rolling hills throughout and two aid stations.
Riders can also register for the Kelowna OSCR Training Ride on Sunday, May 6. All proceeds from this event support the Okanagan Rail Trail. It starts at Gio Bean Coffee in Kelowna and finishes at the Tree Beer Institute where riders can relax with their friends and enjoy refreshments.
***** Dave Palsat with the Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club, issued the following bulletin on the first day of spring: Monday Birding is back for the 2018 spring migration.
Monday Birding focuses on birding while walking local trails to get “up close and personal” with spring migrants, he explained.
“Outings will start Monday, April 9, and will continue until mid-June. We usually depart from the Apple Bowl parking lot at 8 a.m. and return by noon. Dates and times are subject to change, and will be confirmed in the weekly notice. If you are interested in participating, please advise Gwynneth Wilson at gwynnethwilson67@gmail.com to ensure you receive the weekly notice.”
Palsat is taking over from Fran Pattison, who led the walks last year.
“Sharing the leading with others would be appreciated,” added Palsat. Those interested in leading some of the walks should let him know by emailing fpalsat@shaw.ca.
***** The Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society announced this week its new website is up and running at myratrestles.com. You can check out different sections: Plan Your Visit, Learn About the Trestles and Get Involved, says director Ray Sobol.
The society’s annual general meeting on April 11 will celebrate the 25th anniversary of MCTRS. The AGM will have a PowerPoint presentation acknowledging people, events and activities from 1993 to 2018.
All members in good standing will be invited to the AGM and can vote. If you are not a member, you can easily become one by completing the form on the website under Get Involved: “Become a Member.” The annual fee is $10.
***** There is a free weekly walking club for moms and caregivers with babies and little ones.
Roll and Stroll is a great opportunity to meet other parents and spend time casually exploring Mission Creek Regional Park at Springfield and Durnin roads in Kelowna.
Each Thursday until April 26, participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan, then enjoy a leisurely 45-minute walk through the park before returning to the EECO. Participants are encouraged to use strollers and baby carriers suitable for rough terrain. The program is free, but registration is required by calling 250-469-6140 or emailing eeco@cord.bc.ca.
J.P. Squire, aka the Ski Sheriff, is a retired Okanagan Weekend reporter and an avid outdoors enthusiast. Contact him with your outdoor news at jp.squire@telus.net.