This trail is a piece of history, constructed starting in 1865 by Edgar Dewdney. Dewdney was a young surveyor who was commissioned by Governor James Douglas to develop a trail from Hope, BC east 590 km to gold fields in the East Kootenays near Fort Steele. The Dewdney trail was the main route through this area until the Cascade Highway replaced it in the 1920s.
This trail is right beside:
Directions:
Start at the bridge on Highway 3 in the town of Christina Lake, and head northeast for 0.2 km to the Santa Rosa Road. Turn right onto this good gravel road and follow it for 1.4 km to a large pullout on the left side of the road just before a steep switchback. Park here, and proceed up and across the road to the steep switchback. Climb over the cement barrier and down the bank to the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway grade. Proceed south long the railway grade a few metres until you cross a small creek. Look on your left for the unmarked trailhead just after the creek (south bank).
The trail also crosses the Santa Rosa Road at 3.7 km, 9.5 km, and 14.5 km. Any of these crossings can be used as access points. All crossings are marked with white and green Dewdney Trail signs.
