The hikers and cyclists guide to the cowichan valleys historic logging railways, the kinsol trestle and the trans canada trail. It refers to the king solomon copper mine that is nearby. Trestle bridges are a visible reminder of early mining and logging industries. The trestle was officially finished being built in 1920 construction started. An abandoned railroad bridge in the middle of the forest not far from duncan bc. From its beginnings before wwi to the restoration in 201011, the trestle s history is presented in stories, photos, interviews and video. The man who saved the kinsol trestle canadian geographic.
A number of seasonal creeks are crossed on the remainder of the trail, all with bridges suited to hikers, cyclists, and horseback. Kinsol trestle and cowichan valley history the kinsol heritage illustrates the powerful draw of resource extraction and the fierce competition to be the first to extract the most that consumed politicians and corporations of a growing canada at the turn of the 20th century. The kinsol trestle bridge in bc is both frightening and. Historys injustice to the hulquminum cowichan, the first mapmakers. Kinsol trestle vancouver island 2020 all you need to. Completed in 1920 as part of the canadian northern pacific railway and abandoned in 1979, the bridge appeared destined to be torn down. This is a year round river, with some nice swimming holes.
A few months ago we sat down and created a wish list of all the things we would like to see and do on vancouver island this spring and summer. The kinsol trestle, also known as the koksilah river trestle, is a wooden railway trestle located on vancouver island north of shawnigan lake in the canadian province of british columbia. The kinsol trestle is very impressive both from the air and from the koksilah river below. The kinsol trestle is a special spot for us and also where we had our wedding ceremony. The historic kinsol trestle is open to the public for cyclists, hikers and equestrians to experience the full cowichan valley trail in the cowichan region. The kinsol trestle is one of the largest timber bridges in the world and the highest timber trestle remaining in the commonwealth at 44 metres high and 188 metres long.
I think that it should be restored as this trestle has a history that cant be matched. For more information on the kinsol trestle click this link. What a history of the working past,we will celebrate, in bc with the kinsol, as the covered bridges of. The kinsol trestle is historically very important as it is purported to be the largest trestle in the british commonwealth. Reaching across the koksilah river and veering gently through the cowichan valley on vancouver island, stands a relic of a bygone era. At 187 metres in length and standing 44 metres above the koksilah river. Still, they remain what they always were compelling forest icons. Firstly, we drove to the kinsol trestle, renfrew road trailhead on the trans. Kinsol trestle vancouver island 2020 all you need to know. Kinsol trestle,trans canada trail vancouver island bc canada.
It is 614 feet in length and stands 145 feet above the koksilah river. This restored trestle is a couple of kilometres down the old railway bed from a parking lot so the walking or bike riding is easily done by most. A is for the awareness of the bridge its semi remote location,history,and. The promise of big dollars from big trees on southern vancouver island at the turn of the century spurred local loggers, farmers and labourers to build one of the worlds largest and spectacular wooden railway trestles in the world. Kinsol trestle, trans canada trail, vancouver island bc canada. The historic kinsol trestle in the cowichan valley on vancouver island is one of the largest wooden bridges in the world. View all attractions near kinsol trestle on tripadvisor. The last train to cross the trestle was on june 20, 1979. Goldstream trestle and niagara falls hike near victoria. We carry a selection of historical reference books, post cards, note cards, bookmarks, ej hughes cards and. The kinsol is one of the tallest freestanding and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. What that in mind, the kinsol trestle bridge stuns with its aweinspiring height and spellbinding latticework design. The information boards at the north end are very good, with excellent photos evoking the magic of steam locomotives crossing the trestle in its short heyday.
The hike to goldstream trestle is one of the more popular hikes around victoria. Historic kinsol trestle bridge andtrail destinations. Choosing a backup generator plus 3 legal house connection options transfer switch and more duration. Victoria recently got a 11 million dollar boost for their trail programme and the cvrd board voted last night for a further application for funding of the kinsol trestle. It was named after the nearby kinsol station which, in turn, took its name from a nearby mining venture named king solomon mines. So glad the cvrd let us celebrate in this most fabulous celebration of architectural engineering and nature. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple faq for additional information.
It provides a spectacular crossing of the koksilah river. It is important that any improvements to the structure retain the overall look of the existing structure. Kinsol trestle vancouver island aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich. Today we walked 7km in the koksilahshawnigan lake watershed area. The kinsol trestle is one of the tallest freestanding and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. The kinsol trestle is the largest freestanding trestle in the world, and the former wooden railway provides stunning views over the koksilah river, accessible with a moderate hike from. The kinsol trestle, passable to hikers, cyclists, and horses, crosses the koksilah river about a kilometer from the parking lot.
Historic rail trestle links island trailshawnigan lake, b. At 187 metres in length and standing 44 metres above the salmon bearing koksilah river, the kinsol is an incredible structure. In these cases, the business actually pays for the premiums and it is written on the books as an. It was designed by engineers but built by local farmers. The kinsol trestle rehabilitation campaign has caught the imagination of local cowichan area businesses continue reading. Located on vancouver island, the soaring structure crosses the rushing koksilah river in the cowichan valley. The trestle, one of the few accessible and visible reminders of early mining and logging industries, brings history to life in such a powerful way. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book. You have to search deep into the travel books and internet postings to find this gem of a trail. The hike to the goldstream trestle has a fair amount of. Historic vancouver island wooden rail trestle links.
Its hard to tell looking at the trestle today, what a storied history. Railways were built at the end of the 19th century to more easily move lumber and minerals. As part of the trans canada trail, the trestle is an important link for cyclists and hikers making their way from victoria to cowichan lake. The kinsol trestle across the river was literally rotted through and set to collapse. It was built as part of a plan to connect victoria to nootka sound, passing through cowichan lake and port alberni, when forestry had gained. Finally, after years of campaigns to save the trestle, rehabilitation work began in 2010. In the early 1980s, advocates of the trestle tried to have it restored and designated as. The kinsol trestle is one of eight trestles along the cowichan valley trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. Lots of information tere to tell you of the history and how it was actualy. The trestle was officially finished being built in 1920 construction started in 1911. Construction of the kinsol bridge started in 1911 and completed in 1920. At present a large debate is brewing over whether the kinsol trestle should be restored or replaced as it is part of the trans canada trail system. The kinsol trestle is the largest railroad trestle in the british empire and one of the largest in the world. Vancouver island residents turned out to celebrate the reopening of the kinsol trestle the oldest freestanding timber structure in north america as the latest addition.
The hike is located within goldstream provincial park and can be accomplished within about 2 hours. During the 1950s, logging trucks were gaining traction as the transport of choice for logs instead of trains, and so the kinsol trestle was seeing less and less use. An indispensable guide for those who wish to discover vancouver islands scenic and colourful past. Great short walk interesting history kinsol trestle. The kinsol trestle, the name of the enormous wood structure today, started out as just one popular name. The history about the trestle was pretty interesting. The best part of the kinsol trestle is the origin of the name. Railway trestles around victoria, bc visitor in victoria. For more information on the galloping goose trail near the sooke potholes. At 44 metres high and 188 metres long, the kinsol trestle is the largest wooden trestle bridge in the commonwealth, and one of the highest railway trestles in the world. One place with a lot of history is the kinsol trestle just north of shawnigan lake. The largest railroad trestle in the british commonwealth and one of the largest in the world, it stands 145 feet above the koksilah river with a span of 614 feet 0.
Kinsol trestle in 2020 vancouver island, abandoned. I have just modified 2 external links on kinsol trestle. Im just so happy there is a company with great folks out there making the type of projects we have wanted for so long. Kinsol trestle display and history shawnigan lake museum. The kinsol trestle, also known as the koksilah river trestle, is a wooden railway trestle.
History and beauty worth saving the trestle, one of the few accessible and visible. Kinsol trestle vancouver island all you need to know. To this end the proposed structure fits this criterion as it. Kinsol trestle abandoned, vancouver island, abandoned places. The cnopr was taken over by canadian national railways in 1918, and its line and the trestle were completed in 1920 as part of the galloping goose rail line. Excellent parking facilities and about a 20 minute walk to the trestle approx 1. The last train to cross the kinsol was in 1979, and the trestle was abandoned 1 year later.
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