Princeton, a BC Gem with Amazing People

In September, Christie and I (Bernie) set out on an adventure to discover our beautiful province in a whole new way, with a camper trailer in tow. Our goal was to ride one of our favourite trails in the world situated right here in our backyard, the Kettle Valley Trail (KVR) Trail, also part of the Trans Canada Trail. It starts in Hope and winds its way 600 km across southern BC terminating in Castlegar, with a few spurs along the way. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t ride the whole thing but parked our new camper trailer at strategic spots along the route to ride out daily to cover a couple of hundred kilometres of the 600 km trail.

Princeton, A Home to Rich Heritage and the Iconic Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Our first night was spent in Manning Park’s Lightning Lake Campsite. It was a short, easy drive with our new rig and an early arrival at our first campsite. Our next stop was Princeton, nestled in a beautiful valley at the junction of the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers, its image from the highway is one of a truck stop with not much to offer. Turn off the highway you get a glimpse of its pioneer history and the quaint village that folks there call home. Known among a few for its rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes, Princeton is also home to the iconic KVR Trail, a cherished attraction and destination for hikers, cyclists, and adventurers.

In 2001, 2002, and 2003, I organized the KVR Challenge, a 245 km ride from Brookmere, off the Coquihalla, to Kelowna, along this fabled trail. The challenge was to complete the route in less than 24 hours. A crazy but achievable goal, which we ended up completing in about 22 hours.

Princeton, during all three of those rides, was an anticipated stop for refueling and refreshing ourselves before the long climb to Osprey Lake and then onto Summerland. The section between Bookmere and Princeton will always stand out in my mind as one of the most beautiful rides I have ever done. It winds through lush green valleys and narrow canyons with the rushing water of the Tulameen River winding its way to Princeton (previously named Vermillion Crossing because of the bright-coloured cliff and sandbanks lining the rivers). We felt fortunate to have this amazing experience. However, if you go there now, it’s no longer an option to ride or hike there anymore. “Why not?” you ask.

The recent devastating floods have put this treasured trail in jeopardy, and the community of Princeton is rallying together, with the support of their Mayor, Spencer Coyne, to make riding the trail here possible again.

A Meeting with the Princeton Mayor

As we were coming back from the local supermarket in downtown Princeton, we saw a couple of men checking out our trailer. They were both curious and friendly, so we got to chatting. At one point we asked what they did in town, and one said, “I work for the government and this guy”, pointing to Spencer, “is our mayor”.  We were both surprised and delighted. They were both such nice people and Spencer, who didn’t look much older than our oldest son, was both excited and progressive in his view about the future and potential of Princeton in becoming a destination natural playground.

They explained the dire situation facing the KVR Trail due to the floods striking southern BC a couple of years ago, leaving towns like Princeton isolated by severe washouts. The raging waters wreaked havoc on the KVR Trail, causing extensive damage to bridges, pathways, and infrastructure. This historic trail, which had served as a symbol of connection and natural beauty, now lay in disrepair, threatening to sever a vital link between the town’s residents and visitors and the stunning wilderness that surrounds them.

Mayor Spencer Coyne has been at the forefront of the efforts to restore the town and the KVC trail, mobilizing resources, coordinating volunteers, and liaising with government agencies to secure the necessary funding for restoration. His unwavering dedication to the town and the KVR Trail has been a source of inspiration for many. To get there, however, they are going to need some champions from outside of the community to lend a hand, help raise the funds, and raise awareness.

A Beacon of Hope

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Princeton’s determination to rebuild the KVR Trail and restore it to its former glory is a testament to the town’s enduring spirit. The community’s unity and resilience are a reminder that, even in the face of adversity, small towns like Princeton can overcome great obstacles. But they need our help if they are to restore the trail.

After our encounter with Spencer, we drove off to Osprey Lake to set up for the night and we couldn’t help but think about the incredible section of the KVR that could be lost due to lack of funding and repairs. If you’d like to support the town, you can donate to the Princeton & District Community Services Society, which was fundamental in helping residents during the aftermath of the flood, as well as providing essential support services day-to-day to the Princeton community.

We hope to return there one day and ride that section again. We wish Spencer and all the residents of Princeton the best of luck in building back their amazing town and backyard adventure trail.