Christina Lake is known as one of the warmest tree-lined lakes in BC, famous for hot summer days and cool boat rides in the evenings on the tranquil warm waters. Numerous sandy beach sites, superb kayaking and canoeing, swimming, boating, sailing, para-sailing, and fishing make this a water sport destination. Paddle up to see the 8’ diameter cedar trees at the north end of the lake. Or watch the Kokanee spawning at McCrae Creek in the fall. Enjoy fishing for bass while exploring the native pictographs along the north shore. You don’t want to miss visiting Cascade Falls, The Gorge and the former site of a Nicola Tesia power project, which produced some of the first AC current in the world. This site is easily accessed by foot from the rail bed, just off Hwy #3 west of Christina Lake, and the view from Rainbow Rock is breathtaking!

Anyone who has spent time at Christina Lake in the winter is amazed at the transformation. Life slows to a leisurely pace, snow blankets the mountains and sometimes the lake freezes solid, bringing crisp winter days and bright blue overhead skies.

History
Prior to European settlement, Christina Lake was part of the region inhabited by the Sinixt First Nations group. Also known as the Arrow Lakes People, the Sinixt were an Interior Salish people whose territory stretched roughly from the Monashees to Kootenay Lake and from Revelstoke to north-east Washington. Christina Lake was an important fishing ground, as was the Kettle River around Cascade. Pictographs located at various points along the north-east lakeshore are evidence of these first inhabitants, and offer a tantalizing glimpse into a past that remains largely unspoken.

The lake was named after Christina McDonald, daughter of the fur trader Angus McDonald, who ran the Hudson’s Bay Company station at Fort Colville from 1852-71. Fort Colville was established in 1825, and until its closure in 1871 it was a central fixture of the area. In 1865, the extension of the Dewdney Trail from Rock Creek to Wild Horse Creek provided early pioneers with the first route into the Christina Lake region that didn’t require traveling through American territory. However, settlement of the Boundary didn’t really begin until the late 1880s and early 1890s.
Christina Lake is surrounded by some amazingly beautiful rivers, which offer some exquisite opportunities for kayaking & canoeing.

CHRISTINA CREEK flows out of Christina Lake, a gently meandering creek of incredible beauty. It is teaming with wildlife, nesting waterfowl and fish and is best appreciated from a small kayak, available to rent locally. Or take a guided trip down with a local outfitter to appreciate its beauty even more.

KETTLE RIVER is a gentle moving river which warms up in the summer to become a fine destination for a lazy afternoon paddle with numerous private beaches, fine fishing for trout and whitefish, and scenic views of the fields and mountains surrounding the area. Closer to Christina Lake are some mild rapids, which you can take a guided trip upon, or rent a kayak locally if you have some experience.

GRANBY RIVER flows into the Kettle at Grand Forks, 15 minutes from the Lake. At the top of the Granby is Granby Park, a pristine wildlife reserve, with ancient cedars and crystal clear water running from its old-growth forests. Granby River is surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the Boundary region. An eight km paddle starting close to the park ends up in a four km class four canyon, which will reward the best paddlers with its beauty and clarity of water. Further down river are tranquil floats to be enjoyed by canoeists and a white water play park only five minutes from town.

Chris Moslin Director Boundary Region
The Cascade Gorge Project was a team effort from the start. The Grand Forks Community Trails Society hosted a seminar on the four Boundary trestles in the spring. Major stakeholders and potential sponsors were invited, including the Canadian Military Engineers who committed to sending a British squadron in August. The CME provided designs, a materials list and the talented manpower. Trails BC, together with the Christina Lake Chamber of Commerce, raised $10,000 and purchased the materials through local suppliers. The Christina Lake Chamber also hosted the troops throughout their visit with food as well as lakeside hospitality.

Unscheduled landing...
The troops arrived in one US Army Chinook helicopter that filled up with smoke on the way over from Rossland. It touched down on an empty farm field high in the Santa Rosa Mountains near Bid Sheep Creek. After the crew repaired the machine they continued their trip to Christina Lake Golf Course where they landed safely. They then marched four kilometers west on the abandoned CPR rail corridor to the trestle site where they made camp and assigned duties. In four days of hard work in intense summer heat, the 32 members of the Royal Engineers completed a solid decking and handrail on the 100-year-old trestle.

The troops all returned August 20 for a dedication ceremony. This time they came in two US Army Chinooks and again they landed at the golf course and marched the four kilometers along The Trans Canada Trail/Spirit of 2010 Trail to the trestle. After speeches and a “Last Spike” ceremony the troops had a piece of cake and took lots of photographs. Once more they marched back to the golf course and returned to Rossland by helicopter. For this last flight the pilots took them far up Christina Lake to view the mountains of Gladstone Park.

Waterfront Trail gets broad support
The Waterfront Trail goes from the Nursery Trestle to the Industrial Bridge close by Grand Forks. The trail was built to replace a five-kilometer route along valley back roads. The new trail is almost two kilometers of crushed gravel alongside the Kettle River and currently ends at the Industrial Bridge on the east side of Grand Forks. The Grand Forks community Trails Society applied for the necessary funding and permissions. The Trans Canada Trail/Spirit of 2010 Trail Foundation and the Phoenix Society contributed funds. The City of Grand Forks contributed $10,000 as well as provided technical and in-kind support. Much of the new trail so on city property. Canpar Industries, Roxul Industries and the Grand Forks Railway Company also supported this project as the trail takes users behind their plants. Cantex Industries laid and packed a crush surface while volunteers fenced the trail. Suppliers gave discounts on material. Freeman Farm Supplies of Rock Creek donated the use of their pole-pounder.

Midway group signs management plan
There were lots going on in the west side of the Boundary as well. Trails BC successfully negotiated a Management Plan with Land & Water BC that gave the Midway group management rights and responsibilities for the trail from Midway through to the Kettle River Provincial Park north of Rock Creek. The group is now in search of funding for trail work as well as blacktop and crush around Midway station house.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Grand Forks for more info: gfchambe@sunshinecable.com 1 866 442 2833
Websites to visit:
www.grandforkschamber.com - www.city.grandforks.bc.ca - www.boundarycf.com - www.boundary.bc.ca