SD83 OUTDOOR LEARNING

Directions:  Turn East onto Mable Lake Road at the only set of lights in Enderby. Continue for 2 km down Mable Lake Road (across the river) and take a lefthand turn onto Brash Allen Road heading north. At 1.4 km Brash Allen road forks - stay right and continue down the unpaved road for 1.6 km until you reach the parking lot in the field southwest side of the road intersection. The trail starts at the road intersection and heads east up the gravel path to the base of the trail. STA access map here.

 

Description of site:

 

This is a beautiful trail with amazing views of the Shuswap Watershed and North-Okanagan, even from the first lookout. This trail was improved in 2010 to improve grades, reduce erosion and protect an important First Nations sacred area. The distances are now a bit longer but less steep, and safer. It is 6.5 km one way and classes take about 2 - 3 hours to the top depending on their pace.

 

 

Once atop the cliffs, your students will see many soaring birds, including swallows, turkey vultures and eagles playing on the updrafts created by the steep rock face. Unique geology allows us to take a step back in time to the Tertiary age when the cliffs were formed.

 

Click here for additional info and trail updates on this location from the Shuswap Trail Alliance website.

 

Trail map viewable on BC Parks website here.

 

 

Suitable for grades: 4-12; however, lower sections are suitable for primary

 

 

Teaching space:

The parking lot and trail head, offer a great staging area to get organized before heading up. On the lower sections of trail there are wider spaces and switchbacks that can allow teachers to gather their students for mini-lessons along the way. The first lookout has some space to gather and the top has more room to roam; however, clear boundaries should be in place due to steep cliffs.

 

Other pertinent details: 

Picnic tables: No

Bathrooms: Yes (2 outhouses in parking lot)

Cell phone reception: Yes

Adequate parking if necessary: Large parking lot

Shelter for students: No

Other useful amenities: Cliffs, Lake

 

Lesson plans:

-a good day to bring your map of the Shuswap Watershed!

-awaiting submissions from teachers!

 

Curriculum connections: Science, Social studies, Art, Physical Education, L.A.

 

Safety Notes: Some sections of this trail are very steep where a fall would be fatal. You should know your students well before taking them up here. Make clear boundaries for where they must stand behind (cones and backpacks work well) and have clear rules around your expectations when around steep sections. You must make an extra effort to always keep your students in sight on this hike and bringing along many parent volunteers is recommended. Depending on your class, a ratio of 4:1 of students to parents maybe suitable. Walking single file with ample space between students is a must as you approach the steeper sections.

 

Contact Steve Rodwell at M.V. Beattie if you have questions about doing this hike with your class.