Re: Switchbacks & Shays - Lenora, Mt. Sicker abandoned line hike

Our abandoned line exploration began in Eves Provincial Park, where a small portion of the ROW has been incorporated into their nature trail system. The grade is intact but unfortunately well trampled, and following the ROW downhill, the trail abruptly ends where one of the trestles once stood.

Rain started bucketing down, so we abandoned the walk but decided to see if we could talk with one of the private landowners up the line where the switchbacks were. We knocked on a door and the landowner was quite pleased that someone was interested in their old railway. Yes, they knew all about it, their property covered the middle two of the six switchbacks, and we could come back the next day to explore. A bear had been seen on the old grade that morning, so we were duly warned.

We returned the next day, this time armed with bear spray, and in brilliant sunshine walked one of the most scenic sections of the line. The map shows where we walked,



Then the first photo shows a still-intact stone wall, including the owners’ dog who accompanied us on the hike.




The second photo shows how imprints of the ties are still visible in places, even after 107 years.



We went around a hairpin turn on a small embankment, but then had to undertake a time-consuming bushwack down into a ravine where a major trestle once stood. We were rewarded with an encounter with the third of six switchbacks and walked on a short distance, but due to time limitations, had to call it a day.

We have a standing invitation to return, and will definitely cover more of the switchbacks. The line beyond their property is apparently on public lands (Town of Crofton?), and while technically a walking trail, it was obvious no one had hiked the area in years. It’s an interesting narrow gauge, that I knew almost nothing about before our recent visit.



Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2020 03:42AM by tgbcvr.