Rad Powerline Trail

Trail Overview

This is a fun trail with some moderately challenging hills that leads in the direction of a fantastic isolated hotel/restaurant hidden up in the hills - The Chute Lake Lodge. Keep your eyes peeled for the "RAD" wooden sculpture that gives this trail its namesake. The trail starts at the very top of Upper Mission Drive in Kelowna, BC. This is where the pavement ends and the Chute Lake Road FSR begins. There is a small pullout near the blue "Kelowna City Limit" sign where you can air down with a fantastic view of the city. Follow the Chute Lake FSR up the hill, and the terrain will soon turn from nicely graded FSR to a dirt trail with loose chunky rock. Check for recent trail reports to see the condition of the road, as the changing seasons can cause some deeper ruts and washouts. It is not uncommon to come across side-by-sides, dirt bikes, as this is a popular area for off-roading and dispersed camping. As you keep climbing up, you will come to a large intersection with several trails leading in all directions, with lots of side missions to explore. The trail we have mapped out here will turn to the south and go through a coulee before starting a steep ascent up the powerline trail (warning - if you turn left/North at the intersection, the trail will lead you back down the mountain toward Kelowna where you will encounter a locked gate and have to turn around and come back). Once you are following the powerlines, you will begin to make several steep climbs up the mountain. The trail is mostly dirt, loose rock, and sandy with some brief off-camber spots, which can cause loss of traction and require 4-Low to be engaged. There is a small ramp rock style feature that you can test out your skills on, but the main trail bypasses this obstacle. Be sure to stop from time to time and check out the views, which will be mostly behind you and to the west. After you reach the first peak under the powerlines, you will begin to descend back down to the top of the Chute Lake plateau. There are many side-mission trails which branch off from here (some are mild, and some are quite a bit more challenging), but the trail we have mapped here will eventually take you to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Once at the rail trail, you will turn right (south) and continue along the flat grade trail to the Chute Lake Lodge, which has a great little pub/patio to reward you.

Photos of Rad Powerline Trail

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Difficulty

The majority of this trail is easy going with some moderately steep hill climbs on loose dirt and chunky rock. There are no extreme obstacles that cannot be bypassed, and the trail is wide enough at many spots for two vehicles to pass.

History

This area has a rich history tied to the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) and the Chute Lake Lodge. The Lodge was originally a bunkhouse for the sawmill workers in the area, but later became a water top for the steam trains that traveled through the area. The lodge has evolved over time and today it stands as a historic retreat offering a glimpse into the past and a gateway to outdoor adventure.

Technical Rating

Rad Powerline Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike