Winter meets the fitful starts of spring in the upper Columbia Valley, where an alliance of landowners, communities, conservationists and industry have developed a network of trails to connect natural places, provide public access, and maintain wildlife habitat. The Columbia River Greenways Alliance (CRGA) this winter introduced its first "whiteway," a 15-kilometre loop for skaters, skiiers and even mountain bikers. The annual "Wings Over the Rockies" bird festival on May 4-10 will help celebrate whiteways and greenways in the northern reach of the Crown of the Continent.

The alliance is leading three greenway hikes as part of the bird festival, including a hike to the ill-fated canal at Canal Flats. Visit Bailie Grohman's grand scheme to float a riverboat over the low height of land that separates the headwaters of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. Learn why Grohman's plan failed, and take advantage of the excellent spring bird-watching here at the Source of the Columbia Trail.

Mon May 4 from 9 am - noon
MEET: Canal Flats Municipal Office, 8853 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats
Cost $10.00

Registration begins April 6. Go to www.wingsovertherockies.org for more info.

The mission of the Columbia River Greenways Alliance is to develop a network of linear corridors of open natural places that maintain the wildlife habitat and recreation legacy of the region, enhancing the ecological, economic, and community well-being of Upper Columbia Valley.

The resulting network of trails will ultimately stretch from Donald (north of Golden) to the source of the Columbia River at Canal Flats. You can view what trails have already been constructed and what's being planned at http://www.greenways.ca/ColumbiaRiver_map.html

Columbia River Greenways Alliance

Moderate

$10 for Canal Flats hike - Each festival event is priced separately