Monday 9/19 Lake Christina

 

Early Fall Color near Christina Lake

Monday:  Sept. 19

Today we leave the Kettle River area, and turn northward on the Columbia & Western Rail Trail.  Dominating the scenery today is Lake Christina.  This is a lake I knew nothing about, and it was another scenic highlight.  After my ride today, I followed my tradition of a lake swim.  Very late in the Canadian swimming season, but fortunately the lake had a shallow beach area, and was warmer than I expected.

 Our guidebook cautions cyclists that this section of trail is 87 kilometers with no amenities.  Normally that would be an issue, since it meant that Audrey and I might not  be able to connect today.  At the end of 87 kilometers was the city of Castlegar.  However we were  saved by the Paulson Bridge.  This is a relatively new bridge on Highway 3, which Audrey would be traveling upon.  At the bridge Highway 3 crossed the old railroad route. It was our hope, that in addition to the  Highway 3 bridge meeting the Rail Trail, that hopefully there would be a good way for me to leave the Rail Trail right of way, and somehow hike up to the level of the  highway.   When I arrived there, I was happy to see a gravel road also in the area.   No climbing or bushwhacking was needed.  Audrey was able to drive on that back road, and we were able to connect.

Beautiful Lake Christina



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