I happened upon the Bedford Trail Network via a Google Earth search several years ago.  A gentleman by the name of Al Springer with the Peachland Sportmens Association tries to promote this fine little trail area on his own, but is finding the task somewhat daunting.  His efforts over the years at erecting signage and maps has been met with the typical redneck response of “lets shoot em’ up” as well as the weathering of his many signs throughout the area.  Al isn’t the spring chicken that he once was, and the area is fairly large for one person to maintain.  Yes dear Peachlanders, this is a broad hint.

Despite this, the area offers a convenient collection of single and dual-track trails to explore, along with a small, stocked lake (Spring Lk. 500 rainbow trout annually) and a fantastic lookoff point, providing views east across, and south down Okanagan Lk.

Entry to the trail network can be gained through two points along Princeton Ave., aka, Brenda Mines Rd., or further along via a rough two-track vehicular service road (high-clearance vehicles only) unsigned, but locally known as Spring Lake service road. The first entry point is located on the right, approximately 9.2km up Princeton Ave., measured from the corner of Princeton Ave. and Hwy.97.  The second entrance, also on the right, is located 300m further up the road, and the service road access is 2.6km beyond that.  Between the second entrance and the service road you will see a left-hand junctioning road signed Headwaters Rd., ignore it and keep going.

Five hundred meters beyond that, the Spring Lake service road appears on your right.  2.8km along the service road you'll arrive at a small parking area at the northeast end of Spring Lk.

The core two-tracks include the Short and Long Spring Lk. trails and the Lookout Loop, which allow access to this areas singletrack trails; Beeline and the Memorial Plaque Trail.  Dilapidated area maps posted to trees indicate a connection between the Memorial Plaque trail and Beeline, but time and nature have conspired to conceal this connection.

Speaking of which, the Memorial Plaque itself is also a little challenging to locate, but it's there and in great condition.  I wish that I could say that I know what it commemorates about the named individual, but I've had absolutely no luck in tracking down anyone who knows much about the name on the faceplate; one Manville Bedford.  Should I learn more prior to adding this chapter to next year’s print edition of SweetSingletrack.ca, I shall do so, as local history intrigues me, and the naming convention of this trail network begs elaboration.

The first two roadside entry points are initially fairly steep, dilapidated two-tracks which quickly mellow in pitch, taking on the appearance of widened quad trails thereafter.  The entire area provides easy hiking, biking and equestrian terrain.  I'd recommend that you check out the lookoff point first, as the vistas are truly amazing in every season.

Families will find much of the quad-trail riding to be fairly easy, the singletrack a little more challenging.  If you happen to visit the Beeline Trail, take the last left junctioning trail which appears just as you approach the water.  When I was in there on Aug.30th, there existed a hive near the water, which was vehemently guarded by its’ stinging denizens…

Overall, this is an excellent all-season, multi-sport family trail network - one that I hope is adopted by the next generation of trail-advocates.  I’ve been in numerous times with saw and loppers at hand, but what it really needs is for someone local to take up the tools required to maintain it.  Peachland Tourism expressed interest in putting up funds for re-signing the area, and I’d be willing to help out in that respect if locals come forward with manpower to maintain these trails.

I’d also be more than willing to assist with gaining rights from Crown land managers to create new trails in this area, especially ones that wrapped around to the north, then east to connect with the Trepanier trails described elsewhere on this site.

Vertical: 126m | Length: Varies | Water: Not potable | Cell: High Pts.