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Old 06-27-2015, 06:01 PM   #1
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Vernon-Nakusp-Creston-Radium

I wonder if people who know this area would tell us a few things, please.

Can we go up Westside Road to Fintry and then go west from Fintry to get to Fintry PP?
When leaving Fintry PP, we can go on north up Westside Road to get to Vernon? Is Westside fine for the trailer the whole way north?

The Needles --- Fauquier ferry takes trailers, right?

We will also be using the Balfour ferry. Staying both sides of Kootenay Lake.

We take it that we have to go down to Creston to then get up to Radium?
We will be at Kootenay NP a night before going to Banff.

Any other ferries on this route?
Thank you.
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Old 06-27-2015, 07:51 PM   #2
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We lived, quite a long time ago, on the East shore of the lake almost directly across from Fintry, but long before there was a park at Fintry. At that time, as well as the last time we drove through the area, probably about 8 - 10 years ago now?, Westside Rd was gravel but eminently suitable for trailers.

Others may have newer info, and Westside Rd may even be paved by now?? Wouldn't surprise me, given the apparent popularity of the campground at Fintry Park?

We've also lived in Nelson, Salmo, & Kimberley over the years, and have travelled extensively througout that whole Okanagan & Kootenay country. Love that area (but then there's nothing I've found yet in BC I don't like, except maybe Greater Vancouver <g> - tongue-in-cheek apologies to the City residents!).

So, anyway, the "inland" ferries in that part of the province all accommodate trailers, being that they are an integral part of BC's highway system.

Do I take it from your description you're planning on travelling Vernon to Nakusp throgh the Monashee Mtn range? Beautiful trip!

Might I recommend, if your itinerary isn't locked in, from Nakusp/New Denver go East over a small "hump" to Kaslo, then South from there to Balfour (with a side trip to Nelson if desired) instead of South from New Denver to Castlegar & Nelson. I personally think that's a prettier trip, if slower, windier, & hillier.

From Balfour, your choices are a) ferry across the Lake to Crawford Bay, down the East shore of the Lake, to Creston (pretty much flat, down the valley/along the Lake), or b) through Nelson & Salmo & over the aptly-named Salmo-Creston Skyway, a beautifull but steep mountain pass.

I'm envious of your trip! I have "road fever" -- our big trip won't be until late August through early October -- can hardly wait!
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Old 06-27-2015, 08:46 PM   #3
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Hi, Lotar and Wendy,
You certainly know the area well! I guess we will be in the Monashee Mts going from Vernon to Needles. Then the ferry and up to Nakusp where will will be at Summit Lake.

We are planning to go from New Denver to Kaslo because that is shorter so I am glad the road is fine, even if hilly. Kootenay Lake looks as if it is a great area to visit.

We will be taking the Balfour ferry to Crawford Bay. Will be at a private campground on that side, then down to Creston to go up to Redstreak.

Thank you so much for the information! It is looking better and better!!
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Old 06-27-2015, 11:26 PM   #4
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I was at Fintry a few weeks ago, very nice park, good beach and even has showers. If you go, take a walk up the steps up the canyon and see the waterfall. The road is paved, but it is narrow in some areas and has lots of corners. Take is easy and you will be fine.

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Old 06-27-2015, 11:30 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris R View Post
I was at Fintry a few weeks ago, very nice park, good beach and even has showers. If you go, take a walk up the steps up the canyon and see the waterfall. The road is paved, but it is narrow in some areas and has lots of corners. Take is easy and you will be fine.

Chris R
Hi, Chris!
Did you go to the village of Fintry and then go west to get to the park? Do you know if you can go north from the PP to get to Vernon? Thanks.

We have a site on the beach I think, which might have been a cancellation as that was all there was.
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Old 06-27-2015, 11:40 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Floating Cloud View Post
Hi, Chris!
Did you go to the village of Fintry and then go west to get to the park? Do you know if you can go north from the PP to get to Vernon? Thanks.
The "village" is a small community outside the entrance to the park, mostly houses. I would pick up supplies before going there. Fintry was an estate that had orchards, ranching and had it's own power and water. Here is a link with more information The Fintry Estate
Oh yes, road does go to Vernon.

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Old 06-28-2015, 12:58 AM   #7
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Westside Road does go through from "West Kelowna" all the way to Vernon---watch for the mountain sheep on the road though---came around a corner last year and whoops there they were...(nearer to Bear Creek Provincial Park mind you)
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Old 06-28-2015, 01:09 AM   #8
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Thanks, Chris and Anna-Marie.
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