MEL DeANNA TRAIL

If your need is a gentle wander through the forest, a view over a long pond from some reasonably high cliffs, lots of birds in season, then the Mel DeAnna Trail is for you! The center point of this trail, is the long pond which the trail encircles. The overall length of 8 kM is made up of 2kM from the trail head to the first shelter and the north end of the pond. The trail around the pond is 2 kM to the south end shelter and 2 kM back to the first shelter. Back to the trailhead is the final 2kM. This is an easy trip with only a minimal amount of elevation change; families with children are frequently seen on the trail.

All types of bird life can be seen here. I once had the distinct pleasure of watching an Otter feeding in the pond.

To access the trailhead, drive 6.5 kM up the Salmo cutoff measuring from the Airport at Castlegar. Here you will find a view point, drive to the far end where the toilets are located. The trailhead begins at this point. There is a cairn just to the left commemorating Mel DeAnna.

The following images were taken in 1999 and 2000. The colours of late fall just prior to winter were spectacular. The forest floor is carpeted with the golden needles from the Larch.

Place your mouse pointer on the image and a title will appear.

As you walk through the forests, you come upon huge rocks just sitting there, all by themselves. Evidently they have been dropped by a glacier. The trail passes right beside this one !

Of the three Pines common to our area, Lodgepole, Ponderosa and White, the Ponderosa is least common. This giant Ponderosa stands beside the trail adjacent to the shore of the pond.