NEW ADVENTURE OKANAGAN FIRE RECOVERY TOURS Wildfire Recovery Safari The benefit of wildfire is extensively documented in volumes of professional forestry, botany, wildlife and ecology literature. From soil rejuvenation to increased wildlife feed of vibrant new growth, ecological science and the botanical timeclock crash headlong into the aesthetics of fire and our fleeting human lifespan. As devastating as was the Okanagan wildfire of 2003 when it entered the City of Kelowna, this fire beyond city limits will enhance the biosystem of our valley for decades to come. The succession of mineral, plant and animal life returning to the area is as natural as time itself. This full day overland safari in the comfort and security of a specially equipped luxury SUV, is not one of disaster and destruction but is a discovery of the natural rebirth of a forest in an ecology dependent on wildfire. Your host on the tour is Steve Noakes, a career explorationist with over 20 years of mineral exploration throughout Canada and South America. Steve's experience in all aspects of wildlife, ecology, geology and landscape interpretation is without parallel in the eduventure industry. This safari travels through the heart of the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, climbing 3000 feet above Lake Okanagan to the famous Kettle Valley Railway bed. Efforts by lumber companies to salvage the burned timber also took into consideration opening viewscapes from the hillside that were lost years ago to the dense forest. With an open landscape and rejuvenated soils, there has been a spectacular rebirth of grasses, alders and a return of wildlife to the burn. You'll pass through unaffected forests that illustrate the danger of decades of fire protection and tangled forest fuel build-up. The route travels south along the KVR and then climbs back into the mountains on trails fit only for four wheel drive. From a number of spots you'll see the hillsides affected by the 1994 Garnet Fire near Penticton and the power of natural forest regeneration. A traverse of the Okanagan Highlands brings us to the historic mining village of Beaverdell. Once rich in silver and zinc, the Kettle Valley Mountains are peppered with abandoned mines, minerals and prospectors cabins. After a backroads climb to Goat Mountain, a short hike takes us to one of the few active Forest Fire Lookouts left in BC. The views of the Monashee, Thompson and Cascade mountain ranges is stunning. Our return to Kelowna is via a route that shows a number of distinct geological and cultural feature of our Okanagan Valley. This tour includes a picnic lunch, snacks and beverages. As is the nature of wilderness off pavement travel, road closures, weather conditions and other factors beyond our control may make specific routes unworkable. AOC reserves the right to alter this tour accordingly. AOC will always honour the spirit of our off pavement touring mandate with alternate hinterland routes. Only those with a spirit of adventure and exploration need apply. Book your Adventure Okanagan Wildfire Recovery Safari today and see the Okanagan…naturally! Details:
We explore the forest fire burn of 2003 along the Kettle Valley Railway Trail. We depart from Kelowna to the trail above the city. We then fit you to your bikes and safety equipment and begin our ride to the Bellevue Trestle, a 238 metre long, 65 metre high trestle that was saved from the fire. We see how the area is recovering from the fire and notice the wonderful new growth that is already in the area. The mountain wildflowers are a breathtaking change from the devastation of the 2003 wildfire. Enter into a world of soaring Red-tailed Hawks as they bring together the worlds of rocky cliffs and clear blue sky. This slow moving bike tour is educational and perfect for all ages as we listen closely to hear the train whistle echoing through the canyon from a past era long since gone. We will explore the engineering marvels of trestles
built between 1910 and 1916. Our qualified guides Ed Kruger or Joe Kyle
will tell the stories of life on the rails combined with the natural world
that now inhabits this spectacular region. We will complete a perfect
day with a stop at Summerhill Pyramid Winery for lunch and a tour, before
we depart for Kelowna. Total distance of the cycle tour is 10 kilometres. Details: |