August 25, 2024 - Alaska Flight
Return Trip Day 3A: Kamloops to Cranbook, BC
I arrived at the FBO a little before 8am on Sunday and couldn't get in or on the field.  The FBO didn't open until 8.  I only had to a few minutes until the attendant -- same guy as last night -- showed up at 8am.
   
A Canadian T-38 aims for the sky.
   

My little plane on the big ramp.  The NAV CANADA Air Operations Centre is in the background.  I bet it used to be a control tower.

The weather was great here.  But I was going to be flying the VFR passes through the Rockies today and from the weather briefer I knew it might get a little dicey with the clouds.  My plan was to fly the VFR route east to Revelstoke, then northeast until reaching the Columbia River, then following it southeast past Golden to Cranbrook where I would stop for fuel.  The weather was cloudier to the north but was better to the south.  I didn't know if I could make it but I could always come back to Kamloops if I couldn't.
   
Taking off, passing the flight service station.
   
A good look at the eastern side of the airport.
   
Passing over North Kamloops.  My motel the Vista Inn was on the south side of the river.  As you can see, anything on that side of the river has a good view.
   
Looking north at the North Thompson River.
   
Here we go!  Heading east up the South Thompson River.
   
A big golf community east of town.
   
Fields on plateaus.
   
 
   
Approaching the Little Shuswap Lake.
   
Now over the bigger Shuswap Lake
   
I follow the highway south.  What happened?  All of a sudden it got overcasty.  But I can see it is clear to the south.  This information would be useful later on.
   
Rounding a big rock near a place called Salmon Arm.
   
I resume course to the northeast up the Salmon Arm.  Highway One skirts the lake on the southern side.
   
A beach area to the east of the town of Canoe.
   
Passing by Sicamous.
   
After Sicamous Highway One and I leave Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake and head northeast into narrow mountain passes.   The weather definately takes a turn for the worse.
  I
It looks worse than it was.  I kept pressing on.  I could always turn around and go back to Kamloops if I had to.
   
I round the bend at Three Valley Lake and see something at the eastern end.
   
What the heck is that?!  It's Three Valley Lake Chateau -- a 3-star hotel.  Surprisingly, there is no mention of this striking landmark on the aeronatical chart.
 
In 1956, Gordon and Ethel Bell purchased the site and dumped more than 25,000 tonnes of rock onto the swampland at the eastern end of Three Valley Lake.  After building a seven-seat coffee shop, seven-room motel, and museum, the facilities opened in 1960 but did not break even until 1974.
 
The 200-room chateau, which was built in 1961 and renovated in 2011, is open from Easter to Thanksgiving (Canada).
 
The hotel has a ghost town that has more than a dozen buildings dating from the 1700s to the late 1900s, including a saloon, hotel, and railway roundhouse.  There is also an antique auto museum.
 
 
   
I continue east through a narrow valley.  I am comforted by the fact that the Trans Canada Highway is right below me.
   
 
   
I make it to Revelstoke which has an airstrip.  Surprisingly, no one is flying today (sarc).
   

Looking down at Revelstoke Airport.

The plan was to continue following the VFR Route - Highway One northeast until reaching the Columbia River.  But looking northeast of Revelstoke I realized that going any further northeast was out of the question.  The pass was blocked by clouds.
   
But the route south down Upper Arrow Lake was clear and looked a lot brighter the further I went.  I decided to go south.   The only problem was that at some point I would have to cross the mountains going east to get to Cranbrook and there was no convenient VFR pass.
   
Following Upper Arrow Lake.
   
Although not pictured, Highway 23 runs on the western side of the lake, so I was not flying in complete wilderness.
   
Passing by the Northeast Arm to the east.
   
I see some blue sky in the distance.
   

I knew I was going to have to turn east and fly over the mountains at some point so I started climbing as I proceeded down the lake.

Down below is Nakusp and its airport.
   
Over Naksup I turn southeast direct for Cranbrook.  The weather is definately improving as I have moved south.
   
I'm up to about 10,000 feet now, high enough to go over most of the mountain tops around here.  This is the highest I've been on the entire trip.
   
It's very pretty up here with the broken clouds and occasional mountain peak poking through.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
I glimpse Slocan Lake down below.  Highway 6 runs alongside.
   
 
   
The little town of New Denver on the eastern shore of Slocan Lake.
   
 
   
P53
   
 
   

High over Kootenay Lake which also runs north to south. 
 
   
Looking down at the town of Kaslo which has a turf airstrip to the west of town, peaking out from under that cloud.
   
Nice!  I'm glad I went this way.
   
Getting close to Cranbrook; I start descending.
   
There's a nice river valley to follow east to Canbrook.
   
St Mary Lake.  The valley Cranbrook lies in becomes visible.
   
Looking south.
   

The valley begins to open up before me.

Magically, the weather has cleared up.  I think I'm gonna make it!
   
And there is Cranbrook Airport, also known as Canadian Rockies International Airport.  I called Cranbrook Radio but had intermittant connections with the operator.  I don't know if was my radio, or their's.  Or maybe he just didn't feel like talking.
   

I landed to the north.  This airport was actually active with numerous takeoffs and landing while I was here.

They had a self-service fuel pump which I topped off at.
   
Then I just hung out at the FBO for awhile.  I had time to kill to make my appointment with U.S. CBP at Whetstone.  The FBO Interior was small but very nice and upscale.  They even had chocolate cookies.  My breakfast.  And lunch.  Typically on a long cross-country I'm not very hungary.  I usually just have one big meal a day.
   
Spot track to Cranbrook.
   
 
   
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