All photos taken on October 2, 2021, during our travel from Kamloops to Vancouver.
Our main travel break on this leg of the trip would be at Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, just North of Hope, British Columbia.
Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, often called Othello Tunnels is a provincial park located near Hope, B.C., focused on the Coquihalla River Canyon and walking trail on a decommissioned railway grade, which eventually leads to Coquihalla Pass. Originally, part of the Kettle Valley Railway, five tunnels and a series of bridges follow a relatively straight line through the gorge, lined with sheer, flat rock cliffs.
(Source: Wikipedia)
We have stopped here often in past years, to stretch our legs and in the fall to watch the steelhead salmon try to swim back upstream to spawn. We were well past spawning season, so no fishies today, but a great walk, nonetheless.
Now you see me, now you don’t – these fallen leaves were huge
sun dappled, leaf littered pathentering the first tunneland the next
The Coquihalla River canyon
this scenery is hard to beatthe rock walls of this tunnel were reinforced with concreteWe have watched the steelheads try to swim upstream here in the past
tunnel view
tunnel roof – hewn out of rock
let there be light
you can imagine the construction difficulties they had in this region
White water
leafy bowerthe long look backthis tunnel has gallery openingslove locks even here
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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Those rail tunnels were had dug and blasted from the rock. I can’t imagine the working conditions in 1914. As to that large maple offering, I was tempted to take it, but decided to leaf it there. Ha Ha. Thanks for reading Leighton. Allan
It is a great walk Marion. There are no fees to enter provincial parks in B.C. yet and there is a wonderful day use area and parking as well. Thanks for reading. Allan
Thanks Lynette. Not sure how this little station stop got its name. Perhaps, a Danish connection. The entire park is likely to remain closed during 2022 until flooding damage to the roads and park can be repaired. Thanks for reading. Allan
This looks like such a scenic place to stop and stretch your legs. I love all the various tunnels and how they’ve been integrated into the hiking trails. That maple leaf that you were holding up is massive!!
This is just one small portion of the Kettle Valley Railway that runs across Southern, B.C. from near Hope to Princeton to Penticton to Midway. Portions of the railway have been turned into walking and cycling trails and there even more tunnels and trestles to explore. I could not believe how large that leaf was. Walking through this area on a windy fall day might hurt. Thanks for reading. Allan
It is a nice stop. Hope it will be OK after the flood restoration. Those leaves were crazy big. I figured my big head was the best comparison for size. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
Wow, what a place 🙂 I’ve never heard about Othello Tunnels before – it looks like a pretty amazing experience to wander through a series of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva
The first time we passed the turnoff, we got curious, turned around and went back. We have been stopping there ever since. Imagine the dangerous work required to cut and blast these tunnels through the mountains. Thanks for reading Aiva. Have a great weekend. Allan
Can’t say I ever knew about this walk on the old railway line. Interesting area. When we drive it’s get in and go. Imagine stopping to walk stretch and rest – not in my other halfs vocabulary. Maybe some day…
I used to drive like that too, but, there is no longer a rush to get somewhere and back. We all needed to get out and stretch out the aches and pains and the atmosphere on the rest of the drive was much better. Thanks for reading Bernie. +5 here today. Yay, January thaw. Allan
They are a good sight and can you just imagine being hit by one of those leaves falling from an 80 foot tree? Thanks for reading. Hope all is well. Allan
Great set of pics, as always, Allan. That leaf was seriously large. Is that a type of Sycamore? We have Sycamore trees all over the U.S. They get pretty large leaves, too, but not like that.
I believe it is the leaf of the suitably named Big Leaf Maple, that can produce leaves up to 30 cm (11.8 inches across). Thanks for reading Scott. Happy Sunday. Allan
Kettle Valley Railway was the ideal way to gain walking and biking trails, once the railroad stopped running. Still a dream of ours to ride the train through the mountains from Edmonton to Vancouver and back. Fingers crossed. Thanks for reading Chelsea. Allan
I’ve heard that the tunnels were badly damaged in the recent flooding of the lower mainland. It might have been a You Tube video because I saw the tunnels full of silt and debris. Many of the old bridges were also damaged. I always planned to go there but now it may be too late.
Coquihalla Canyon Park is closed until at least September. The priority right now is permanent repairs to the Coquihalla Highway and other access roads. We have been through the road since it reopened and things are a mess, but better than we expected. Fingers crossed Othello reopens and the damage does not hamper the steelhead spawn. Thanks for reading Glen. Allan
Picture This 
Pretty
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Thanks Jim. It is that for sure. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Wow! This looks like an amazing trail with unbeatable scenery!
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It has always been a great walk, even on a rainy day. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Dramatic rock formations abound and those giant leaves! Did you take one home with you?
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Those rail tunnels were had dug and blasted from the rock. I can’t imagine the working conditions in 1914. As to that large maple offering, I was tempted to take it, but decided to leaf it there. Ha Ha. Thanks for reading Leighton. Allan
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for stopping by. Hope all is well. Allan
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What a pretty canyon, and how fun to get to walk through the tunnels!
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It is a great walk. Good to have a head lamp with you in the longer tunnels. Thanks for reading. Allan
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The trail through the tunnels looks very interesting cut through the rock. Do you need to,purchase an annual permit to visit these parks Allan?
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It is a great walk Marion. There are no fees to enter provincial parks in B.C. yet and there is a wonderful day use area and parking as well. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Your pictures are beautiful!
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Thanks Liz and thanks for stopping by. Allan
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Great photos and what a name! I didn’t know the Melancholy Dane travelled that far west!
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Thanks Lynette. Not sure how this little station stop got its name. Perhaps, a Danish connection. The entire park is likely to remain closed during 2022 until flooding damage to the roads and park can be repaired. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Very cool! I love the huge leaf!!
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Those leaves were everywhere in this area. Obviously, things grow well in that climate. Thanks for reading Lori. Allan
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This looks like such a scenic place to stop and stretch your legs. I love all the various tunnels and how they’ve been integrated into the hiking trails. That maple leaf that you were holding up is massive!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is just one small portion of the Kettle Valley Railway that runs across Southern, B.C. from near Hope to Princeton to Penticton to Midway. Portions of the railway have been turned into walking and cycling trails and there even more tunnels and trestles to explore. I could not believe how large that leaf was. Walking through this area on a windy fall day might hurt. Thanks for reading. Allan
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I’d definitely like this trail, how beautiful! That leaf reminded me of the massive pinecones we saw in Tahoe ha
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It is a nice stop. Hope it will be OK after the flood restoration. Those leaves were crazy big. I figured my big head was the best comparison for size. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
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Those tunnels look so cool!
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They were even cooler Ann, when seepage from above dripped on you. It was amazing how dark the long one was. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Wow, what a place 🙂 I’ve never heard about Othello Tunnels before – it looks like a pretty amazing experience to wander through a series of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first time we passed the turnoff, we got curious, turned around and went back. We have been stopping there ever since. Imagine the dangerous work required to cut and blast these tunnels through the mountains. Thanks for reading Aiva. Have a great weekend. Allan
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What an amazing trail❣️❣️❣️
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Thanks Luisa. It is a great walk and break from driving. Thanks for reading. Allan
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It was a pleasure 🌺❣️🌺
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Can’t say I ever knew about this walk on the old railway line. Interesting area. When we drive it’s get in and go. Imagine stopping to walk stretch and rest – not in my other halfs vocabulary. Maybe some day…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to drive like that too, but, there is no longer a rush to get somewhere and back. We all needed to get out and stretch out the aches and pains and the atmosphere on the rest of the drive was much better. Thanks for reading Bernie. +5 here today. Yay, January thaw. Allan
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Maybe when we both hit full retirement we can travel that way.
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😊
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Those tunnels are fascinating and I love those leaves!
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They are a good sight and can you just imagine being hit by one of those leaves falling from an 80 foot tree? Thanks for reading. Hope all is well. Allan
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Great set of pics, as always, Allan. That leaf was seriously large. Is that a type of Sycamore? We have Sycamore trees all over the U.S. They get pretty large leaves, too, but not like that.
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I believe it is the leaf of the suitably named Big Leaf Maple, that can produce leaves up to 30 cm (11.8 inches across). Thanks for reading Scott. Happy Sunday. Allan
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Such a dramatic walk through the tunnels, great photos. Thanks for taking us along.
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Thanks for coming along Ruth. Just hoping it all was not too badly damaged by the recent flooding. Thanks for reading. Allan
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The tunnels make this hike so much cooler! Combining history with beautiful scenery is always fun.
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Kettle Valley Railway was the ideal way to gain walking and biking trails, once the railroad stopped running. Still a dream of ours to ride the train through the mountains from Edmonton to Vancouver and back. Fingers crossed. Thanks for reading Chelsea. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard that the tunnels were badly damaged in the recent flooding of the lower mainland. It might have been a You Tube video because I saw the tunnels full of silt and debris. Many of the old bridges were also damaged. I always planned to go there but now it may be too late.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Coquihalla Canyon Park is closed until at least September. The priority right now is permanent repairs to the Coquihalla Highway and other access roads. We have been through the road since it reopened and things are a mess, but better than we expected. Fingers crossed Othello reopens and the damage does not hamper the steelhead spawn. Thanks for reading Glen. Allan
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