40 - Sunday, September 13, 1998 — North Shore News —" RAVEL True wildermess to remember Timethy Renshaw Managing Editor YOU wouldn’t be far wrong to call it a natural high. But the Cathedral Lakes experience is much more, especially as presented by the Cathedral Lakes Lodge. Cail it an elevated natural religious rience beyond the manipulation of mankind, a B.C. wilderness adventure with few equals. The area oresided over by the lodge is a unique transition zone berween four major landscapes that range from west to east through Coast Mountain rain forest, arid Okanagan basin grasslands to the glaciated Thompson plavcau. A 33,000-hectare chunk of this B.C. wilderness, which is bounded on the south by the B.C. -Washington border, on the east by Ewart Creek and on the west and north by the Ashnola River, was turned into a provincial park in 1968. Since then it has become a prime desti- nation for major league hikers and serious minimum-impact campers — an estimated 7,000 user nights per year at fast count. But Cathedral Lakes has been a draw for outdoors types long before its provincial park designation. Its renown goes way back to the 1930s, when old Herb Clark hauled campers up to the 4,000-foot elevation via pack horse to soak up the B.C. wilderness brilliance. The savvy area rancher founded the Cathedral Takes Lodge when he purchased 36 acres on the shores of Quiniscoe Lake and the additional 140 acres that serve as the basecamp staging area for trips to the alpine lodge. About 30 years later, the property was purchased by partners Tom Fleet and Kari Gchringer, who later founded Gehringer Brothers’ estate winery. The main lodge building: was completed in 1972, and che lodge’s modern cra was in full swing. ‘The property was sold in 1980 to a Kelowna- contracting company, and 10 years later it was purchased for $850,000 by a group of partners headed by trce planting company Operator Richard Padmos. Since then the group of partners has dwindled to Padmos, whose love for the special slice of B.C. real estate has ensured that ir remajn a pristine wilderness. Padmos has negotiated a deal whereby the provincial government is a partner in the ledge property. The deal has created benefits for B.C. colleges, who can use the lodge facilities for various functions, and has left the privately-held area within the provincial park out of the bands of less envi- ronmentally concerned development types. Padmos is now free to fine-tune the Cathedral. Lakes Lodge experience, which starts at its base camp. To get to it, take the Cathedral Lakes Lodge turn-off from Highway 3, 4.8 km west of Keremeos and continue 20.8 km along a back-country road that starts out paved then becomes gravel as it follows the Ashnola River. ¢ | Mexico's National Day— ~ of Independence . '~ CATHEDRAL. Lakes Lodge owner Richard Padmos on the shores of Quiniscoe Lake in Cathedral Lakes provincial park. Once at base camp you leave your vehi- cle in the treed lot and board one of the four-wheel drive vehicles thar shuttle campers and lodge guests up to the Cathedral Lakes a Not interested in the shuttle, you say? Sorry folks: the access road is private, leased to the ladge by the provincial government. Besides, it’s not for the faint of heart. Wouldn't do your vehicle much good either, The nine-mile stretch of dust, boul- ders, sand and clay gives new meaning to the term white-knuckle driving. The one-hour journey ($55 return per person, $30 for children under 12) features hairpin turns, 30% grades and enough ruts and potholes to shake loose the most stable of constitutions. Once top-side, campers depart to one of three wilderness provincial campgrounds in the Cathedral Lakes area and pay $2 per night to stay in some of the most pic- turesque sites this side of the Rockies. Lodge patrons head to the shores of the Quiniscoe and behold the grandeur of the, Experience the s scence before them: a deep green translucent lake ringed with pristine forest and back- dropped with glaciated mountain peaks and alpine meadows —- 2 mini Lake Louise before the onset of major international tourism. The lodge and its assorted rustic cabins can house 56 guests. Prices range from abour $100 per night per person based on double occupancy in the early season (start- ing in May or June) on up to about $170 during peak summer season. It is not cheap, but if you consider that the aforementioned price includes three meals a day, the ride up and back and instant access to some of the finest hiking trails in B.C. it becomes far more palatable. We stayed in one of the string of single- room bungalows. adjacent te the main lodge. It came with four bunk beds, a cold- water sink, table and chairs and a wood- burning stove. Hot water, showers and toilets were See Hikes page 4% ights, sounds and tastes of Mexico through dancers, charros, Mariachi Bands & more! = pare: TIME: September 16, 1993 1:45 am YQ SB i‘ ROUTE: Beginning at the foot of Surrasd St (at . Waterfront), left on Hastings Si, right on Homby St, ending on the North side of the S --witha PARADE. > 'N } 4 . 5 through: \ cee Lk se : -Downtown Vancouvet! ra Cc " When you want Vancouver Art Gallery (approx. 2:15 pm). Plus, join the participants at the Vancouver Art Gallery following the parade for food, entertainment & more fun! Presented in part by The Consulate General Lock for their new Sunbook brochure now available! °o top quality ard the best value, ask for SIGNATURE VACATIONS byname! onnne la - a — | www. whistiler.to Classy, Distinctive and New Own a condo in Whisiier? LIST WITH US FOR: * Year Round Reservations ¢ Unlimited owner access to booking system * Extensive marketing program « Set up is free , STOP. THE FINANCIAL DRAI -__CATENOW! 60425 33-2198" OW. AIRFARES HIGH ADVENTURE AFRICA Airfares from. , I8day SouthAfrica * adventure,safari ......$1950 , SOUTH PACIFIC Birfares from ...cecceese GIDP 1716 Marine Drive 2 West Vancouver, BC %- 7 YWEST “AIRFARES. | GUARANTEED: Nerth Vancouver West 986-5853 913 All Locations ore regiatcred wit the B.C. Travel Register a AS . ce a | \. wo BLIGHT CENTRE | UEST FOR “SEASON. ! $770" a Dlirs Lon”