Members of the Trail Horsemen's Society, area mountain bikers, and hikers continue to maintain the historical Dewdney Trail. The Kootenays have the longest section of the Trail still intact in British Columbia running from Christina Lake through to Paterson. About 2/3 of this section is still the original old pack trail built by Edgar Dewdney in 1865 as an all Canadian route to the gold fields of the southern interior. The remainder has been widen by power line access and logging roads. It originally went from Hope B.C. to Wild Horse Creek B.C. near Fort Steele (close to Cranbrook).
It is great news to hear that this historic trail has been designated to be part of the Trans Canada Trail, which will be a multi use trail right across the country linking Canada together from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Victoria, B.C. The Trans Canada Trail will also use portions of the Dewdney Trail in the Pend D'Orielle valley, up Lost Creek to Stag leap Summit and on to the Creston Valley.
On September 27 & 28 of 1997 members of the Trail, Nelson and Grand Forks horse clubs made the annual trek on horseback from Patterson (at the American Canadian border) through to Trout Creek (just east of Christina Lake), camping overnight at the Bev Allen Ranch in the Big Sheep Creek valley along the way.
Because of heavy snowfalls of 96-97 and strong summer windstorms there were a number of trees which blocked the trail but are now removed. Some parts of the trail need tread improvement, widening and water sources developed. The goal is to have the Trans Canada Trail become a reality in the year 2000.
Submitted by Richie Munn