Midway actually all the way to adventure
Psst! We know the way to the Secret Tunnel! Despite a false start, we have seen the light at (one) end of the tunnel near Midway and we know it’s not a Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway train.
This adventure in Boundary Country started with the wrong tires. Smooth road biketype tires on my hybrid bike, to be exact.
They were no match for the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and the Columbia and Western Railway (C&W) line which meet at Midway, and now form a 240-kilometre section of the Great Trail (formerly the Trans Canada Trail).
After a half-dozen kilometres on the rough trail between Midway and Greenwood, I turned back and looked for an alternative bike path.
A local resident, who shall remain anonymous, recommended heading west on Fritz Road, the second road south of the Kettle River bridge on Florence Avenue and an abandoned rail line. It can get confusing since there is an old sign saying Meyers (or Myers) Creek Road, actually another road according to Google maps, plus another old sign saying Cedro Creek forest service road.
Just past the nine-kilometre signpost on this dirt road, “there is a steep road on your left. Go another 500 to 700 metres and you’ll find an unusual S-shaped tunnel,” he said.
Off I went, past the yard waste dump at the four-kilometre signpost, and sure enough, there’s the steep road going up the hill and a gate with Private Property/No Trespassing signs across the former rail line. A law-abiding citizen, I headed up the steep road thinking there must be a second rail line just up the hill.
How steep was it?
So steep I had to push my hybrid bike. For a kilometre or two, perhaps 3.2 kilometres to a slash burn turnaround, all the time wondering how a train would get up there. I was determined, almost obsessive, but no tunnel.
In Midway, the local resident laughed and laughed and laughed. Ignore the Private Property/No Trespassing signs and unchain the unlocked gate, but obey the Keep Gate Closed sign. Hiking/biking buddy Kevin couldn’t stop laughing as well.
A group of us decided to try again the next day. Nine kilometres, steep hill on the left, gate, signs: check. Any sign indicating tunnel ahead: no checkmark.
A rougher trail with some backhoe dips to prevent motorized access. Not very challenging for them. No sign anyone tried.
And sure enough, just around a corner, our objective was even more impressive than earlier described. A rock-lined cavern big enough for Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack in American folklore, and his customary companion, Babe the Blue Ox.
We ventured inside, trying to avoid the constant dripping from the tunnel roof. Darker and darker. The light from the entrance slowly fading and not a smidgen of light from the other end. And despite our discussion the previous night, not one of us brought a flashlight. One smartphone lights just didn’t cut it with a tunnel of this magnitude.
We swore to come back although from our initial inspection, one rock wall soon looks like another and carries on infinitum.
However, there would be bragging rights to say we saw the light at the (other) end of the tunnel. And see if that entrance/exit is any different.
A chorus of simulated train whistles or “choo-choos” might have taken us back to the early part of the 20th century, but we opted for a few “whoo-hoos.”
The bike ride back to Fritz Road didn’t seem as long, certainly not 3.2 kilometres. But it was certainly a fine way to end our weekend in Midway.
Next time, we’re heading back to the tunnel—with flashlights—but also revisiting Midway’s excellent hiking and biking trail network off Fritz Road, two trailheads. The brochure says, in error, for further information, printable maps and photos, go to: midwaytrails.tripod.com.
Boundarybc.tripod.com/images/Midwaytr ailsbrochure.pdf is correct.
The brochure says: The mountain trail network climbs the mountain to the south of Midway through the flora and fauna of the dry Interior Douglas fir ecosystem. There are many stunning viewpoints and benches to rest on. The trail system abuts the U.S. border and offers views of Midway, the Canadian and U.S. sides of the Kettle Valley, and the surrounding topography.
The total vertical climb is 350 metres and there are a total of approximately 12 kilometres of trails to explore in a system of many concentric loops which allows for outings to be customized for a half-hour visit or a full day.
The trails are suitable for all levels of hikers and mountain bikers. You could spend an hour or a couple of days to explore them all. The average grade of the mountain trails is approximately 12 per cent with a maximum grade of 25 per cent.