Originally conceived as a cross-country ski network by Dr. Brad Houston and friends, the Carmi Recreational Trail Network is a series of well laid-out, irregularly shaped loops, which connect with and build upon each other. These trails become progressively more difficult as they ascend a gently sloping height of land to the north. The area as a whole holds vast potential for all-season recreational activities.
In 1968, a local dentist of Norwegian descent hosted a public Nordic ski demonstration at his acreage in Kaleden - firing up Brad’s imagination and sparking a lifelong affair with the sport. No cross-country equipment was locally available at that time, but Taylor's Sports - Penticton’s sole outdoor shop of the era, ordered in the gear to equip several local groups; the Houston and Prowse families among them. When the skiers tired of the long and dangerous trek up to Nickel Plate Lake at Apex Resort, they began frequenting terrain much closer to Penticton in the form of a series of old horse-logging roads which branched off the Carmi Road.
The Carmi trail network began with Brad exploring a set of trails just beyond the first cattle guard on Carmi Road, near what is now the Lost Moose lodge, and later, to trailheads farther east along the road. A friend who had selectively logged the area guided Brad along a maze of narrow paths in the gently sloping forest and together they cleared several overgrown trails; thus began the initial XC ski loops. Around 1970 the City of Penticton won a grant to develop recreation trails.
The City collaborated with the Penticton Outdoor Club and drew up a basic set of looping trails. These trails were cleared by a winter public works crew, and in 1972, the BC Forest Service got involved. Forestry Recreation Officer Brian Brown worked with Brad to explore, flag and map the present set of trails. The following year, a second winter works program added to the existing trails and the Outdoors Club provided the final touches. At the height of its popularity, the area boasted a large plowed trailhead parking area, a toilet, signage and maps throughout the loops; most of which disappeared or were vandalized years ago.
In the late 1990’s, BC Forestry took a more hands-off approach to outdoor recreation trails and their maintenance, due to liability and funding policies. Maintenance and liability fell onto the shoulders of the volunteer, non-profit Penticton Outdoors Club who understandably thought it unreasonable that they should have to assume all liabilities. The respective parties removed most of their signs and facilities and walked away from the area - and the forest began to reclaim the trails.
Fast-forward to 2008; the Carmi trail network was practically forgotten as a recognized sporting area except by a handful of well-informed locals. New residents were unaware of the trails, though downhill mountain bikers who shared information via online forums, crossed the northern tip of the Carmi trail network in their descent of Code4 and Knuckleduster. These trails are described elsewhere in this publication.
Despite the area’s history as a legitimate recreational zone, with the exception of this guidebook, no other print publication describes the Carmi trails. I however, became enamored with the area. This was partly because it offered perfect terrain for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers; and as the president of the local cycling club, I knew that it would be a perfect training ground for novices. It also allowed me, and ostensibly others who were at my neophyte XC-ski level, to practice the sport. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, I spent a great deal of time clearing the trails of brush. In late 2009, I designed the graphics and raised funds necessary to produce metal signage for the area. Finallt, in early 2010, the Penticton & Area Cycling Association (www.bikepenticton.com) signed a three-year land use agreement for the Carmi Rec. Trail Network with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.
It is my hope that that this initiative, together with ongoing seasonal maintenance, will encourage locals and tourists alike to visit this stellar, all-season trail network. Long term, I envision day-use picnic tables and basic washroom facilities to further enhance the experience.
I have extensively XC-skied, snow-shoed, biked and hiked the Carmi trails and am very impressed with its existing single and two-track trails. It offers fantastic all-season beginner and intermediate terrain for a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities. The Penticton & Area Cycling Association held its 2009 cross-country Poker Ride on the area’s trails and received glowing accolades from professional and amateur riders alike.
Situated entirely on Crown land, the trail network could potentially be expanded to include numerous adjacent logging routes, many of which have been long abandoned. During the winter, when the Okanagan Valley is grey, sullen, and stifled by low-lying clouds, the Carmi trails are frequently above the ‘grey layer’; offering blue sky on many of winter’s dreariest days. Similarly, the difference of over a thousand vertical meters between downtown Penticton and the average elevation of the Carmi trails makes the latter a refuge from the stifling heat of high summer. Oftentimes, there can be nearly ten degrees Celsius difference between the high points of the Carmi trail network and the valley floor below.
The network’s trailhead is located directly across Carmi Rd. from a convenient parking lot situated 11.8 kilometers from the intersection of Government St. and Carmi Ave. (Penticton Regional Hospital). This large lot offers free parking for perhaps 80 vehicles.
The Carmi recreational trail network’s parking lot also marks the entrance to an area generally used for tobogganing and partying; located immediately south of the lot. The vistas into Ellis Canyon are well worth a look. Note that on winter weekends especially, this small clump of viewpoints can be quite busy with snowmobiles, families and children on the toboggan run. Unfortunately, the ongoing revelry generates a lot of litter, and during the summer, some of earth’s most ignorant individuals use this area as a garbage dump. Heaps of scorn on those moronic enough to dump garbage in the forest!
Located across the road and to the north of the Carmi parking area, the Carmi recreational trail network is composed of a total of seven inter-connected, looping trails: the beginner-level Tamarac, Carmi and Squirrel trails, the intermediate difficulty Pine, Fir and Okanagan View runs and the most difficult and largest of the bunch: the Peat-Bog Loop. Brad had originally indexed these progressively difficult trails using the ski resort industry’s green / blue / black diamond designations. Even though they are not nearly as steep as their downhill counterparts are, this color scheme accurately represents the relative challenge of each of the Carmi trails; whether one is on skis, snowshoes, bicycle or other means of non-motorized recreation.
I am confident that with all that the area has going for it; a wonderful trail network, adjacent downhill and canyon view trails, cool summer climate, sunny winter days and the nearby Lost Moose Lodge resort and restaurant - it will once again become a popular, all-season playground.
Please be aware that the Code 4 and Knuckle-Duster downhill cycling trails cross the northernmost reaches of the Okanagan View Loop and the Peat Bog Loop. As such, use caution whenever you happen upon a singletrack trail crossing the Carmi Recreational Trail Network at right angles. In addition, be sure not to become sidetracked onto Code 4 or Knuckle-Duster if you are a beginner to intermediate rider. If you do, you will soon find yourself walking or crawling your way down! Both of the aforementioned trails are quite steep, technical and potentially dangerous to the inexperienced and ill-equipped.
For first-time visitors I suggest that you enter the Carmi trail network at the trailhead parking lot. This places you onto the Carmi Loop, a beginner’s trail and mellow introduction to the area. Carmi and adjacent Tamarac and Squirrel Loops offer small elevation changes and moderate terrain that anyone out on their first XC ski or bike ride will enjoy. A few spins around these and you may be ready for the more challenging ‘blue’ and ‘black’ rated trails beyond it. The Carmi Recreational Trail Network loops are easy-going two-track trails, ranging from a few meters wide at their narrowest to several times that width on the average. Much of the time you are within the forest and cannot see the valley below, however, the Okanagan View Loop offers the best vistas, especially at the northwestern point where there exists a warming hut to shelter you from the elements as well as rustic benches to rest your bones.
Those venturing into the trail network as it stands today may notice a variety of dilapidated directional arrows and weathered florescent markers, in addition to the newly erected trail signs erected in 2009. The area contains many trails in addition to the eight noted here and while exploring the trail network, you will likely notice junctions which don’t appear as marked trails on the aforementioned onsite maps. If in doubt, scout the trail a few dozen meters farther along - if you do not see orange reflector-style markers on trees along its length within 100 meters, or signage at major intersections, chances are that it is not part of the Carmi trail network. Study the posted signage and use a GPS with the files from sweetsingletrack.ca if in doubt.
You will be amazed at just how many other routes the area holds. The ‘official’ Carmi recreational trail network represents less than 50% of what is actually available in the immediate area. While you may wish to probe, prospect and play around in the areas nearby, keep in mind that you must give a wide berth to the commercial peat operation near the end of the peat bog Road during summer and fall. This business interest is adjacent to the north end of the trail network and it is serviced by heavy trucks running up and down the Peat Bog Rd., carrying peat down to the valley. This active peat quarry is the only private land holding near the Carmi trail network and must be respected as such. Use extreme caution when navigating the Peat Bog Road!
Henry King, the owner of the actual peat bog lands (circa 2010) is kind enough to allow us access to the road that he built in order to access the bog - a route also used by cyclists to gain access to the Code 4 / Knuckle-duster trailheads and routes beyond. I have occasionally met Henry out on the land and he has always been great to deal with. Pay him back by respecting his property boundaries.
It is kind of Henry to continue to offer us a warm smile and a wave - considering that his machinery at the peat bog site has been vandalized several times over the years by brainless fools.
You have by now noticed that this chapter lacks detailed trail descriptions of the area; this is due to the excellent on-site signage as well as the GPS and Google Earth files available at sweetsingletrak.ca This series of well-designed loops is not to be missed. Bring the family and friends up for an afternoon of fun exploration. With luck, the new signage posted throughout the area will not be vandalized and this trail network will be safe to explore long into the future.
Getting there Beginning at the Peach in Penticton - Head east on Lakeshore Dr. At the Front St. intersection, travel part way through the roundabout, making a right onto Ellis St. Follow Ellis St. as far as its intersection Wade Ave. East. Turn left on Wade Ave. East (which soon changes it’s name to Government St.). Follow Government St. until you reach the intersection of Government and Carmi Ave. (Penticton Regional Hospital). Turn left on Carmi and begin to ascend. Stay on Carmi Ave. for approximately 6.8 kilometers, at which point Beaverdell road junctions on your right. Turn and drive up Beaverdell Rd. for approximately 5.7 kilometers, passing the Lost Moose Lodge and a cattle guard. Eventually you will see a large parking area on your right. This is the Carmi recreational trail network parking area. The entrance to the trail network is directly across the gravel road.
Low: 1235m | High: 1480m | Length: Varies | Water: Not potable | Cell Access: Spotty
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