Everyone is invited to go on a hike Sunday—easy, intermediate or challenging—and raise money for the Gellatly Bay Trails and Parks Society at the same time.
All of the proceeds of the 16th annual March for Parks will go toward maintenance of West Kelowna trails, and hikers may donate what they wish for the hike, with donations over $20 eligible for a tax deductible receipt.
John Reddick is president of the GBTAPS, and says hikers on the intermediate hike will even get a chance to put their feet on part of the most-recently announced purchase of parkland in this region, a connection along Powers Creek that adds to Glen Canyon Regional Park.
All hikes begin at the Gellatly Nut Farm, with registration at 8 a.m., a brief annual general meeting of the society at 8:30 a.m. and hikes to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Hikers are advised to bring a water bottle, hiking stick and walking shoes, not sandals.
Everyone must sign a waiver to participate, and those under the age of 18 must have the form signed by a parent or guardian.
For details, and the form, go to the website at: www.westsidetrails.ca
This year’s challenging hike will involve carpooling from the park to Summerland to meet at the IOOF Hall on Main Street where there’s a mural of the Okanagan Brigade Trail on the side of the building.
David Gregory from the Summerland Museum will provide a brief description of the trail and its history. A drive to Priest Camp Historic Park will follow and a hike to a lookout with a valley view, about four kilometres each way. A further side spur up Aeneas Mountain may also be included, before returning to the Garnet Lake parking area. Total hike length would be 8-10 km and hikers are advised to allow five or six hours, including travel.
The intermediate hike is a Glen Canyon loop trail that is 6.5 km long, with some stairs. It begins at the nut farm park and follows Gellatly Road to Paynter Park, then through Towne Centre Park to Old Okanagan Highway, below the pool via Ingram Road and back to the park.
It’s expected to take two to 2.5 hours.
The easy hike is in Kalamoir Park, carpooling from the nut farm park to the trailhead, then a walk the length of the trail and back. It’s expected to take one to 1.5 hours.
jsteeves@kelownacapnews.com
