Cycling Across the Commonage

 

Our favourite cycling days are ones with warm sunny weather and great scenery.  We love to take time to explore interesting sites and visit inviting cafes and eateries. Sure the route could be done in one sweaty hour, but we prefer to savour the experience taking two or three hours. And there is no place better than the North Okanagan for such indulgent and interesting cycling!

We turn south off Okanagan Landing Road (25 Ave) at 34 St and then get on the bike route on 33 St to begin our tour along the Commonage. We lean into our pedals to tackle Mission Hill and soon see the north end of Okanagan Lake below us with the  green orchards of Bella Vista draped over the surrounding hills.

View of Okanagan Lake from Bench Row Road

The hilly grasslands between Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka Lake, about 24,000 acres, were originally intended for use by First Nations and early settlers for common use for pasture, thus the name Commonage.  In 1889 the government drew up a new agreement, taking over the area in return for establishing an Indian reserve on the north west side of Okanagan Lake.

We pause for a drink of water before heading up the hard packed gravel road to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre (ABNC) located  in an old weather station that is perched above the thirsty golden hills of late summer. Here the entire North Okanagan stretches out before us with raptors floating above, birds chirping among the grasses and kids scurrying around, intent on their nature studies as part of the nature camps held at the centre.

Massive Eagle on display at Allen Brooks Nature Centre

The ABNC is named after Canada's own "Audubon".  Captain Allan C Brooks, an early Vernon area resident, was an internationally  renown bird and wildlife painter and featured in several editions of the National Geographic in the 1920's and 30's.  Many of the birds he painted were from the Commonage, which is  rich with a variety of bird habitats.  We tour the centre and  walk along the grassland trail, fascinated with the multitude of birds and other animals found in the area. 

Allen Brooks Nature Centre

 

The summer schedule is busy with an evening speaker series, movie nights, and astrology nights. I eye the picnic tables, making a mental note to bring visitors up here for and picnic and one the best valley views.



 

 

We bounce down to Mission Road and turn down the Bench Row Road looking over fields of hay and contented cattle, benefactors of the secondary treatment wastewater used to irrigate these fields and 42 acres of forest tree plantation planted in 1988 to study its effect on neutralizing undesirable substances in Vernon's municipal waste water.  Developed as an alternative to discharging reclaimed water into Okanagan Lake, it's success is a subject of local debate.

Some of the 25 million seedlings at PRT growing services

Intrigued by the large growing trays of emerald green seedlings we turn into the driveway of PRT, a growing service for all commercial tree species grown in Canada.  We learn that forestry companies provide the seed which PRT then grows into seedlings during the long frost free season of the Okanagan.  The seedlings, approximately 25 million per season,  are harvested when dormant and stored in local cold storage facilities, and eventually shipped by the forestry companies to where they will be planted. 

 

Before reaching Okanagan Landing Bench Road we meet two horseback riders from Paradise Ranch.

Peruvian Paso horses from Paradise Ranch

 We notice they are using unconventional saddles and discover these are Peruvian saddles and the horses are Peruvian Paso horses, the royal horses of the Conquistadors. Started in 1996, Paradise Ranch has become one of the largest and most comprehensive training centres for the breed.

Paradise Ranch

 















 

Rather than taking the steep and winding road down to Okanagan Landing we opt for the more gradual paved trail extending from just east of The Seasons community development and down behind Long Acre Drive .  We continue along Okanagan Ave and link back onto Okanagan Landing Road with only 15 km clocked but having enjoyed another half day of local discovery.

View of Vernon Yacht Club from Bench Row Road