After reading of this trail in the Thompson-Okanagan Backroads Mapbook, it looked to be an interesting trail and at 40 km too. But there didn’t seem to be much info about it.. So this last weekend of August, I thought I would reconn this Trinity trail. The Outdoor Recreation Map, by the backroads group, provides a better scale than the Backroads book.

snowmobile trail sign-- follow these on Ganzewald

snowmobile trail sign-- follow these on Ganzewald

typical trail condition

typical trail condition

And according to this map and Google earth, it looked like the trail follows old logging roads. At one end the trail starts/ends at Silver Star and the other end near Ashton Creek by Mabel lake road.. I went to the Ashton Creek as a start point because I didn’t know where to start at Silver Star.But I will give details starting from Silver Star as most people will start there.(going South to North) The trail definately goes downhill from SS to Ashton Creek.
So I loaded up my jeep with supplies for a couple of days. A friend in his jeep was to accompany me but pulled out last minute.

So some details… At SS in the summer the Nordic parking lots are locked but you can walk/ride around them. The start point is at the lot that has the snowmobilers park in the winter. You should see yellow signs with a snowmobiler on it. The name of the trail is called Ganzewald (or Ganzevald or Ganzevolt). It is a fairly defined gravel “roadway” all the way. This part of the trail does climb up. A little ways up , the right fork leads you to the repeater tower. But stay left to remain on Ganzewald. Next feature is the Vernon Snowmobile Club Chalet. The trail climbs up and down. There are a few mud boggy sections too… From SS it is 8 km to the Park Boundary. There you will see a map sign. Again stay on the Ganzewald trail. Trail signs are labelled clearly.

10 km from the Boundary brings you to the Armstrong Snowmobile Chalet and signpost. I stayed overnight there. Super QUIET. Not to bad for bugs. A pit toilet is there.. The next am, a cow moose walked into the clearing, amazing. I even had my camera and got a nice picture of her.
Again watch for signs to stay on Ganzewald. After heading North a few km, you will see painted on mileage in km to the northerly finish. Now the trail is actually the 575 Forest Service Road (FSR). And now pretty much downhill. The end of 575 FSR is on Durnin Rd. 100m to Trinity road, turn right and another 100m to Mabel Lake Road. turning left brings you back to Enderby. Turning right takes you to Mabel Lake..

Notes: Mobile/cell reception is very spotty anywhere along the trail.
So distances: SS parking lot to to Boundary..8 km
Boundary to Armstrong Chalet 10 km
Armstrong Chalet to 575 start 21km
This trail is easily geared for mtn bikers. For hikers, it is on a well defined “ATV” trail.. But clearly a snowmobile trail with lots of other ones for the winter….. I will try to include some pics (Hey Clayton, if I can’t , can you email me and I will send you some pics via webmail)….grant j

trail sign at the Armstrong Chalet

trail sign at the Armstrong Chalet

cow moose at Armstrong Chalet

cow moose at Armstrong Chalet