June 17th 2016 Rossland, Trail's Rock Walls and Covered Stairs

June 16th - Rossland

Wednesday morning while the sun was still out, we drove to Rossland which is only 9 km up the mountain from Trail to have a look around. Ray noticed there is an old gold mine up there, a couple of the metal sculptures from Castlegar and a Brewery. Trail's elevation is about 1450 feet (440M) and Rossland is 3350 Feet (1023M). A rise of almost 2000 feet in 9 km.

"Rossland's physical history dates back approximately two million years, when a volcano erupted in the Monashee Mountains.

Rare minerals rich in gold ore were created from this volcanic eruption that spewed across Red Mountain. The fortune in gold lay hidden through the ages awaiting discovery. In 1865, Rossland became linked with other nearby villages. Interest in gold mining in the area was increasing and the British were seeking to tighten their grip on potential prospects, so a trail was created to provide access to the BC interior. The hope was that the Dewdney Trail, a 400km/248mi route leading from Hope to Fort Steele, and past the present site of Rossland, would improve transportation to and from the ore-rich mountains. Rossland was incorporated in 1897 and was, at that time, one of the largest cities in Western Canada." (Google)

We went directly to the Visitor's Center, which also features the Le Roi mine museum. Ray took a few pictures outside, but the actual mine site up on the hill is mostly rubble now. We could've paid $8 a piece to see the info in the 1 room museum and walk up the hill to see the old mine site. Even the access tunnel is collapsed, the visitor center employee told us. Needless to say we said "thanks but no thanks".

 

Air Compressor used for 75 years.

Next we went to the main street, Columbia Street, to stroll the couple blocks to view the shops and old buildings. Very cute. There is a wonderful grocery store that is very similar to Thrifty Foods. Very good produce, deli, bakery and meat departments, although a little pricey but great selection. I actually bought a flash frozen sockeye fillet for tonight's dinner for $11 .. not too bad I thought.

Bank of Montreal circa 1900

Bank of Toronto circa 1896

Commercial Buildings circa 1901

La Ronde and Rodier block circa 1898

Street view of Columbia Street

Montreal Hotel circa 1898

 Notice the skies are beginning to darken as we drive around ... I think the thundershowers will be coming soon.

Post Office 

Ray found the brewery, so we walked around it and unfortunately it's closed for another hour until noon and did not serve food, just a tasting bar. Bummer. The girl at the Visitor's Center suggested a good place for lunch is the Steam Shovel Restaurant located in one of the oldest hotel's in Rossland that is refurbished. Unfortunately it's closed until 3 pm. Walking around it seemed none of the restaurants open until dinner!!!  Unless of course you go just to a coffee shop. We decided just to drive up a few of the streets to see some of the old houses and then make our way back into Trail and eat lunch at home.

Courthouse Circa 1894 National Historic Building

Firehall and look at the black clouds!

Private Residence

Private residence for sale

The back of the same house.

United Church

Here are 2 more metal sculptures leased from Castlegar for display.

Sculpture "V Formation"

You turn a bicycle wheel to have the geese flap there wings, so of course I had to try it.

Sculpture - Sphere with the Burnes and Co. building.

On the way back to camp though, I noticed a diner sign so we went there and ate wonderful burgers.

Ray went for a few short photo shoots on his own the past couple of days for specific things he wanted to see. Here are some pictures of the Trail's famous rock walls and covered stairs.

Above is a shot of a large chunk of the 28,000 steps you can take.  There is a "Trail's Rock Walls" pamphlet to pick up at the Visitor Centre.  (Parking at the Visitor Centre is minuscule and is closed on Saturday, and Sunday).  Each walk is named after Italian pasta meals.  The rock walls and steps are everywhere, as the oldest part of town goes straight up the mountain.  Needless to say, parking is at a premium up these streets.  Below is a shot combining both rock wall and the steps.  These steps are some of the earliest as you can see by the rocks used to construct the steps.  Later examples are concrete.

Bell St. rock wall combination, according to the pamphlet, a must see.

More steps and one of the many murals found throughout town.

Piazza Columbo above and below

Tomorrow we leave and head to Kaslo for a few days. It will be nice to have a change of scenery again.