Tuesday, July 23, 2013

In search of the Kettle Valley Railroad Stone Ovens


Intersection of Smethurst Road and the TCT
Intersection of Smethurst Road and the TCT


We started our search for the KVR (Trans Canada Trail) Stone Ovens by driving up Smethurst Road until we arrive at a small parking lot and a few directional signs. The directional signs were useful. Without them, our journey might have taken us into Penticton.

Note the "odd" bicycle parking sign. Really?! Here in the middle of nowhere! Oh well....

Intersection of Smethurst Road and the TCT
Looking along the Trans Canada Trail above Naramata






It's
It's probably a good thing it rained earlier in the day. The moisture should keep the dust down.

I learned several things from the various directional signs, including the fact that this section of the TCT is multi-use. In this case multi-use includes motorized vehicles (30kpm speed limit). Until today, I'd always assumed it was restricted to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. Not so, apparently.

Horseshoe Trail off the TCT, KVR Naramata section
Horseshoe Trail off  the KVR, Naramata section




The "Horseshoe Trail" leads to Rock oven #7. Thus, it's off our beaten track for today.



When I first saw this map, it didn't seem to tell me much. Now, in retrospect, I see it is quite useful.

Later, after a sharp turn that takes us back in the direction we're currently travelling, but higher up, we will visit ovens #4, #5, and #6.



The bread from Stone Oven #7 fed the men who blasted this rock, to get at what would become know as the "Little Tunnel".



With the "Little Tunnel" ahead of us, I turn back to take a picture of the trail we've just driven along.

Okanagan Lake as seen from the Kettle Valley Railroad (Little Tunnel)
Okanagan Lake







Shifting the camera just a bit to the right, we get a view over Okanagan Lake, with Naramata at the point of land on the left, and Penticton way in the distance.



"Little Tunnel"


"Little Tunnel"

RATTLESNAKE SEASON

We see rattlesnake travel advisories several times along the KVR. About 40 minutes after leaving the Smethurst-KVR intersection we arrive at the Rock Ovens Park. Another sign we find amusing is the one, in the middle of nowhere, suggesting where bicyclists might park their bikes.

Just a silly question: "Aren't cyclists out here going to park their bikes just about anywhere they like?"

RATTLESNAKE SEASON



We arrive at the entrance to Rock Ovens Park

Park your bike here


This way to an oven
The map below gives a good indication of the serpentine path the Kettle Valley Railroad made through these mountains.

A map to show us where we are


MOSQUITOES!!!

Cut no trees. In a park? Well, Duh!
A tiny foot bridge over the tiniest of streams. And was does it all mean? Well, in the forest, after a rain (which was the case this afternoon), it generally means MOSQUITOES!!! 

















We decide to see this oven very, very quickly as the bugs are driving us crazy!



Stone ovens, built around 1913, during the construction of the Kettle Valley Railroad.

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Approximation of the size of the stone ovens

This gives an approximation of the size of the stone ovens used during the construction of the Kettle Valley Railroad circa 1913.

The Trans Canada Trail (TCT)

The Trans Canada Trail (TCT); Kettle Valley Railroad (Naramata) section.

A large boulder makes a terrific waypoint

A large boulder makes a terrific waypoint.


Signs point the way to the stone ovens.

Signs point the way to the stone ovens.

A clearly marked path leads to the ovens.


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Looking right into the stone oven

Looking right into the stone oven (Off the Kettle Valley Railroad trail).


Flowers near the stone oven.

Flowers near the stone oven.

This stone oven could use a haircut ;-)

This stone oven could use a haircut ;-)


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Distinctive red bark on the conifers in this area.

Distinctive red bark on the conifers in this area.