Sessional Papers, Fourth Session, Fourth Parliament
of the Province of British Columbia
Session 1886



 
REPORTS -- WAGGON ROADS, YALE DISTRICT 1886
Extract

pg 590 image 683


Report on line of road from Nicola to Granite Creek, by N. Black, Road Superintendent, Yale,
B.C.

Spence's Bridge, B.C,
November 27th, 1885.

Sir,-I have the honour to report for your information, I have been all over from Granite
Creek to the Nicola Road.

When I left Spence's Bridge going into the mines I discovered a very easy and cheap location
for sleigh road between Nicola Road, at a point near Armitage's ranch, two miles above
Coutlie Post Office, and Courtney Lake.

From Courtney Lake I went in direct to Granite Creek by the trail.

On my return I explored on foot for a sleigh road. Leaving the mouth of Granite Creek the
route crosses the Tulameen River four times ; water is very low, and people there say it will
be frozen solid in the winter, reaching the Big Lake in Otter Valley. The character of the
work in this section is cutting logs off the fallen timber ; this is not very heavy work.

The Big Lake is three and a half miles long, then a short distance of heavy brush between it
and another lake, then short piece of brush, about a mile between it and the third lake. The
third lake was frozen over when I was there.

From end of third lake, up the other valley to end of trail coming down mountain, and past
there up two miles the Otter Valley, we reach the north fork of the Otter River. This is a
new way, and will, during cold weather, be a good way, no hills whatever, and no heavy
grading, except three hundred feet of side-cutting in two narrow places.

When we get to end of this north branch of Otter River we come to Manning's tavern.

From end of third lake to Manning's, a distance of twenty-two miles, the work is heavy
bushing.

From Manning's tavern to forks of trail at Courtney Lake the work is light.

At this Courtney Lake the trails from Quilchena and Coutlie join.

I went to Quilchena from Courtney Lake ; the character of this route is hilly ; there is a
side-cutting at the big hill back of O'Rourke's hotel, which I consider will cost as much
money to make as the road from two miles above Coutlie's to Courtney Lake, besides the
distance from railway is eighteen miles greater.

There are men at the mines who will contract for the building of the road.

I have, etc., (Signed) N. BLACK, Road Superintendent, Yale, B.C. 

The Hon. the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, Victoria.