BC Desert trip - Osoyoos Area - Canada's only desert? Summer 2010

[CanuckMariner]

Wouldn't mind getting to know Canada's only western desert area (The Pocket Desert) near Osoyoos area. Anyone know this area well? Perhaps we could plan a summer trip outing there as it doesn't get too hot there and I love heat and sand. So if anyone knows the area or wants to explore it,lets start planning and researching where and when to go.

OR is it even worth looking at?

I am in for sure for anything like a long weekend or more trip. Just let me know your interest.

During the summer months, the Okanagan Valley is among the hottest areas in Canada, and Osoyoos often reaches the highest daytime temperature of any location in Canada. Temperatures regularly exceed 38°C (100°F) in the summer, although the humidity is low and nights are generally pleasant. Winters are generally dry and cold, but are usually mild compared to adjacent regions.

[TheOtherSide]

I'm likely in Osoyoos for the first 2 weeks in Aug camping on the beach.... but no wheeling in my holiday plans.

Enjoy that trip!!

[bcghosttowns]

You can count me in for sure.I know the area a little but not much for off hwy stuff.


PS. i have been trying to get a good Rattlesnake picture so thats my chance.

[TheOtherSide]

You can count me in for sure.I know the area a little but not much for off hwy stuff.


PS. i have been trying to get a good Rattlesnake picture so thats my chance.

EEsshh... I got a rattlesnake pic just outside of Princeton a few years back... made us move campsites cuz it was about a mile from our camp.... yes, I am not a fan of snakes!!

[Poopy]

I already want to do this!

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Poopy62/PrincetontoOsoyoos.jpg

[AxelR]

That looks great. Only I'd tack Whipsaw onto that as well.

[240 Jordy]

August long weekend we are hosting a Geocaching event in Princeton that will be covering some of the areas that you have included in your route shown above.

The Great Copper Rush (http://www.turtlepetprojects.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=27)

Copper Rush Blog (http://greatcopperrush.blogspot.com/)

There will be 4x4 groups as well as Quaders going through the Whipsaw Trail, Placer-Ashnola down to Headley and up through Nickleplate.

Some of the other trails you've shown up into Summerland and down over to Osoyoos, we here just up in that area a few weeks back and are planning to spend more time there exploring.

So, we are also interested in hooking up with others to go check it out. Just not the Aug. Long weekend for obvious reasons.


:canadian:

[Poopy]

Wow that sounds great! I'd like to tack on the whipsaw as well. Keep us posted on the geocaching up there.

[240 Jordy]

Wow that sounds great! I'd like to tack on the whipsaw as well. Keep us posted on the geocaching up there.

I'll post it up here once the event is published on Geocache.com


This was our event last year:

http://www.greatcoalrush.blogspot.com/



Sorry for the thread Jack.


:canadian:

[Cody1771]

that looks like alota fun... could be cool to hold an "official" OLC event, maybe recruit some more members from other 4x4 sites. fly the flags and have a wicked trip.

[highwaystar]

I know that area very well. theres alot of other side trips you could do off that plan if you are interested in mines and such. I would love to join the trip also.

btw. the pocket desert is just that. maybe a acre or so? theres still tons to see in the area. let me know if I can help.

[CanuckMariner]

My interest is primarily in the desert area around Oyosoos/Oliver, BC - the pocket desert which is more than an acre or so, as the Osoyoos Desert Centre is 67 acres of itself.

The Osoyoos Trails are a great series of old jeep roads and single track on the slopes west of Osoyoos. From town, head west towards the golf course and turn left on Fairwind. Park at the first cattle gate.

The Osoyoos Desert Centre is located on the west side of town at the junction of Highways 3 and 97, while the Nk'mip Desert Cultural Centre is located adjacent to the Nk'mip Winery on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve on the benchland above the band's Inkameep campground on Osoyoos Lake.

If anyone is near or goes near to this either of these centres, can they post up their findings please.

The Pocket Desert Federal Ecological Reserve is found on Black Sage Road, which runs through the heart of the desert, parallel to Highway 97 for 14 kilometres, but at a slightly higher elevation. From the highway, turn onto Road 22.

As for Whipsaw, I did that earlier this year and been there done that, etc and given the distance from Cowtown.

I am just looking for 4x4 trails going through, around and exploring the desert.

[highwaystar]

yea I grew up in the south okanagan i know what your talking about now. I thought you were talking about the boardwalk thing. theres not many trails inside the valley south of oliver that people like you to 4x4 on (that are not on the reserve). except for the few around the old mine on the west slopes above osoyoos but I think theyre closed off now to vehicles and its being developed? but I guess you talking about hiking trails?

theres alot around ok falls where you can see hyroglyphs up to 500 years old (hiking trails) and lots of rattlers and sagebrush and cactuses.

as far as 4x4 trails going around exploring the desert that have not been closed there really isnt anything I can think of at a low elevation? behind black sage road (oliver) there is alot but that is on the reserve and technically you have to have permission to go on them. Naramata, Keremeos , and summerland also have some nice areas too.

[bcghosttowns]

I am still in.I will miss the whipsaw though,far too dusty that time of year.

[CanuckMariner]

yea I grew up in the south okanagan i know what your talking about now. I thought you were talking about the boardwalk thing. theres not many trails inside the valley south of oliver that people like you to 4x4 on (that are not on the reserve). except for the few around the old mine on the west slopes above osoyoos but I think theyre closed off now to vehicles and its being developed? but I guess you talking about hiking trails?

theres alot around ok falls where you can see hyroglyphs up to 500 years old (hiking trails) and lots of rattlers and sagebrush and cactuses.

as far as 4x4 trails going around exploring the desert that have not been closed there really isnt anything I can think of at a low elevation? behind black sage road (oliver) there is alot but that is on the reserve and technically you have to have permission to go on them. Naramata, Keremeos , and summerland also have some nice areas too.

Thanks HighwayStar, Just the sort of info I was looking for. It is unfortunate that reservations and development hinder the exploration of unique areas like this especially when it is the only one in Kanukistan. Also, it is a long way to come from Cowtown for little to no trails. I really like deserts and that's why I travel so far to see them in the SW USA.

[highwaystar]

so true. love your past exploration pics btw.

[CanuckMariner]

so true. love your past exploration pics btw.

Thanks!

[gotink]

sounds like fun, how long would a trip like this take? when are we thinking,and YIPPEE count me in just need to book the time of work!!:headspin::headspin:

[CanuckMariner]

sounds like fun, how long would a trip like this take? when are we thinking,and YIPPEE count me in just need to book the time of work!!:headspin::headspin:

Until we get more info on trails and places to go in the general area around Osoyoos, we can't peg how long we need. Once we do, will post up.

Hopefully others are researching this area as well and will post up what they find.

[greg.potter]

I am interested - depending on timing, other commitments, and getting a more "highway friendly" differential gear set installed by then. I have spent a fair bit of time in the desert SW over the years, and find the desert facinating.