I recently surprised my ami with a visit to the majestic just north of Hope. Only two hours drive from downtown Vancouver, it is a landmark with special significance to me and my family, having spent some formative years in the area.
In the early 1900s, the Canadian Pacific Railway decided a route was necessary to link the Kootenay Region with the BC coast by rail. Thought impossible, it took the daring imagination of engineer Andrew McCullough, sparked while dangling in a basket on the side of a mountain, to envision a bridge and tunnel system that could conquer the raging Coquihalla Gorge. Tenuously threaded 300 feet above the canyon, a series of tunnels were blasted in 1914, sparing no expense. Linked by striking bridges, it is speculated that passenger trips occured after dark to hide the view of the terrifying mountain passage and the river below.
The railway served the province until 1961, upon which time inclement conditions forced its closure. It was converted into a provincial park decades later, and when my boyfriend stared up in awe at the soot-covered triple height rock walls, concrete formwork and steel reinforcements and declared, "Whoa! This is like heaven for a dude!" I decided to share my little secret as a suggestion for where to spend a day with Dad.
There are spectacular natural viewing opportunities available on the flat 2.5 km walking trail (lined with interesting facts about the history of the project). The 156-hectare park highlights the Kettle Valley Railway grade that passes through the canyon and five interlinked tunnels, surrounded by pristine BC wilderness.
While I like to think its my secret, the Othello tunnels see thousands of visitors each year and the area has become a popular location for movie producers. Rambo: First Blood, Shoot to Kill, and The Adventures of Yellow Dog were all filmed in Coquihalla Canyon.
Get on Highway #5, north of Hope and look for Exit 183.
