Touring - Kelowna thru West Kootenays and back

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islandboy
07-09-05, 08:40 AM
We are planning a 6-10 day trip from Kelowna through the west Kootenays and back to Kelowna this August. It will be a loop thru Vernon, #6 to Nelson, Grand Forks, Osoyoos then back to Kelowna. Trying to decide to B.O.B. it or do the hotel thing. Has anyone done this route?

rockymtn_girl
07-09-05, 10:15 PM
Although I haven't ridden this route, I grew up in the West Kootenays and know the area fairly well. There will be very few opportunities to find a motel but many to pitch a tent; although be prepared to do some stealth camping. There are sporadic Forest Service Recreation sites, (informal camp sites) along the way but most require a trip off the main highway to get to. The route from Vernon to Nakusp is very desolate (192 km) and the most you can hope for along there would be a gas station for food and water.

After Nakusp, there are several side loops you can make (Nakusp-Slocan-Nelson-Salmo-Castlegar) or (Nakusp-New Denver-Kaslo-Nelson-Castlegar) or (Nakusp-Slocan-Castlegar) however, I would highly recommend the inclusion of Nelson on your journey.

The next leg of the trip from Castlegar-Christina Lake (you should spend a day at the warmest lake in BC!)-Grand Forks-Rock Creek will have many motel opportunties. At Rock Creek, you'll have to decide if you want to ride the 33 back into Kelowna or take a more circuitous route through Osoyoos-Penticton.

Highway 33 will be long and no opportunities for finding a motel before Kelowna. Around the area of Big White Ski Hill, the road narrows and there is a twisty descent for several miles. You will encounter many big rigs and logging trucks on this highway. However, the route through Osoyoos-Penticton also has it's share of heavy truck traffic as well as a large contingent of holiday 5th wheels and the like so it's really a coin toss on that one.

The number 3 highway is a main trucking corridor to the west coast, so you will have to contend with this; however, there are wide shoulders which off-set this somewhat.

I hope this is the kind of info you're looking for. If you have any questions about the area, PM me and I'd be happy to share what I know about the place. :)
Michel Gagnon
07-10-05, 09:33 AM
Visit http://adamk.ca

He discusses the merits of many BC highways. Worth a read.