The Loops
The nearest section of the Trans Canada Trail goes through Brookmere and beyond through the Coquihalla Lakes to Hope. The TCT is the old Kettle Valley Railway (KVR railbed). Linking into that rail system was the Merritt Subdivision which follows the Coldwater River Valley from Merritt to the junction station at Brodie. Since the railway grades were moderate, a loop route was used. One of the bridges has been undermined and then washed away, but the other one is still intact. The red line shows the KVR coming down from Brookmere on its 6.4 km route. The route continuing south goes under the highway. The Merritt Subdivision railbed is shown in yellow, with 3 railway trusses (bridges) crossing the Coldwater. Brodie was nicknamed The Loops.
A cyclists/hikers loop route can be taken by parking at the Coldwater River Crossing (Exit 256) and cycling the backroad to Brookmere (10km), then following the KVR down to Brodie (6km), and to complete the route, following the railbed north back to the Coldwater Crossing (9.4 km). Hikers can cut off a few kilometers by parking 4.5km along the Brookmere Road and walk a flat out and back to Brodie through the canyon.
The routes through the forest and beside the river are quiet, but scenic. Six bridge crossings remind us of the railway and provide us with great views. All photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.
This 26km cycling loop is an easy ride on moderate grades. For an extra 5km section, riders can follow the railbed north to Kingsvale (where you will meet a fence). Kingsvale Station has a few homes and some old buildings to see. The old station house is still standing. Hikers can enjoy a 12km route on the Merritt railbed to Brodie and back. On a hot day, take a swim in the Coldwater River and bring a lunch for a riverside picnic.