September 22, 2023
Day 6
C&W rail-trail (km 18) to Farron station
{Map}
Today was the hardest day of the trip. The road climbed steadily for another 40 km. The grade was only 1 - 2%, but the climb was unrelenting. We were in the saddle for about 10.5 hours, with no water for the last four. This was to play a pivotal role later.
We met 2 people at Coykendahl station. One lives quite near to us, in McLure (about 30 km north of Kamloops). Coykendahl was a busy train station in the early 1900s, but it is just a campsite now.
The views were spectacular, as usual. We saw dozens of grouse, a few lizards and one snake. We passed through three 100+ year old tunnels. The last one was 1 km long and was the longest tunnel in BC when it was built.
We were beginning to feel sorry for ourselves after a full day of uphill (left side) - until this average looking logging road (right side) with it's 10 - 20% grade, reminded us of our good fortune.
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We passed several old train stations, but there wasn’t much left of them. This one, for example still had a customer waiting area, or maybe a lounge?
Inside, the floor measured about 4’ x 8’. An old (and probably original) woodstove occupied one end. I suppose it was marginally more comfortable than being outside in the winter.
We continued into the afternoon, searching in vain for water.
Finally, we arrived at Farron Station, the high point of the C&W railTrail. There are no original buildings left, but there are still some old foundations. We setup the tent on one of them.
We cooked dinner in a very nice shelter that modern trail crews built a few years ago. Louise was exhausted.
Today's ride: 39 km (24 miles)
Total: 216 km (134 miles)
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