Author:

---

Shuswap History – Mount Ida Mines – Anyone interested in old treasures and valuable commodities can find their fortune on Mount Ida, in the Shuswap near the city of Salmon Arm. The mountain has a rich history of mining explorations and plenty of old claims are present to this day. The history of mining on Mount Ida dates back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when high grade silver boulders were discovered a short distance south of Salmon Arm. The Mount Ida group of mineral claims were prospected and developed intermittently around the years 1905, 1913-14, 1926, 1930 and well into the 1990’s. Exploration work on the claims consisted of underground cross cutting and drifting, mostly on the Everglade claim of the Mount Ida group.

The location of the mineral showing was not clear but several gold-silver, galena and sphalerite occurrences in quartz-filled shear zones were indicated in the record. The precious metal, platinum, was of interest and was mentioned at three different claim locations, the Everglade, White Cliff and the Mountain View, by separate authors. However, ultrabasic rock was not mentioned in the literature covering the claim area. A geochemical soil sampling survey was done over the claim area in July, 1980. The results showed anomalous values for silver, lead and zinc in northeast and east-central sectors of the property. 

Bonnie Brae (Lobo, John) Claims
Most of the mining explorations took place at the Bonnie Brae claim (just above the town of Salmon Arm) which consisted of twenty claim units covering an area of 500 hectares. Some adits were located just above the old Foothill Road Cemetery. In 1904, a Mr. F.A. McLeod staked the Mount Ida mineral claim over high grade silver boulders found some four miles (7 km) south of Salmon Arm on the northwest slope of Mount Ida.

This event is described in the Minister of Mines report for the year 1905. Exploratory adits driven on quartz veins bearing argentiferous galena on the north face of Mt. Ida, were first reported by Brewer (1913) and subsequently by Ferrie (1920) who also reported values in gold and platinum. Some work at the foot of Hobson Creek was reported in the BCDM annual report 1930 (p.183) after which the properties were abandoned until 1967 when Annmar Mining financed a program of trenching (Mitchell, 1976). Photo below: The “Rock Piles” below the cliffs, between western and eastern ridges in 2013.

The Bonnie Brae property was a gold-platinum and base-metal prospect that dated back to the early 1900’s. This property was developed intermittently circa the years 1905, I913-14, I926 and 1930 when exploration work on the claims consisted of underground cross-cutting and drifting. From 1980 to 1982, Ware Resources Ltd. carried out geochemical surveying in the area immediately to the east of the Bonnie Brae claim. Best Resources Inc. carried out a program of geophysical and geochemical survey work during April and May, 1983. During 1984 the survey grid and the geochemical survey were extended to the north to fulfil part of the Phase 1 exploration program as was recommended in the 1983 report by Don Tully Engineering Ltd, West Vancouver BC.

---

Ministry of Energy, Mines and petroleum Resourses, MINFILE Record Summary MINFILE No 082LNNW007
Name: BONNIE BRAE, LOBO, JOHN
https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=082LNW007

---

Platinum Giant Claims
The Platinum Giant Property was located 6 kilometres south-west of Salmon Arm on the northern slopes of Mount Ida in the Kamloops Mining Division. The property covered the steep northern slopes of Mount Ida. Elevations ranged from 600 to 1450 metres and deep valleys/gullies occurred along the north-westerly trending drainages, notably Rumball, Hobson and Leonard Creeks. The property was accessible by road from Salmon Arm, then by paved road to Rumball Creek, and up the Rumball Creek Logging Road for 1.5 km to the northern boundary of Platinum Giant 3. From here the logging road crossed the property and exited near its southeastern corner. A branch to this road gave access to Platinum Giant 2 at the headwaters of Hobson Creek.

The Platinum Giant Property consisted of three claims totalling 40 units. During 1989, Corona Corporation conducted a regional property generation program in this part of the Omineca Belt. The Platinum Giant Property was examined as part of this program. The targets for exploration on this property were: 1) polymetallic mineralization associated with greisen alteration in the roof zone to a leuco granitic intrusion and 2) gold quartz veins. Gold values had been previously reported from a number of old workings o n the claims. The program by Corona was conducted between June and August 1990 under the direction of R.C. Wells B.Sc, F.G.A.C. The cost of this program was $4,500 and was being applied for assessment credit on the property. The Platinum Giant Property consisted of three claims with a total of 40 units. All three claims were 100% owned by Mr. L.D. Lutjen, of Chase B.C. 

Miller Tunnel (Platinum Giant Claims)
A number of old workings occurred on sulphide bearing quartz veins in the property area. The Miller Tunnel (adit) on Platinum Giant 3 followed a quartz vein zone within a shear (north-easterly) cutting granite. Sampling of the vein by Ferrier (1920) reported values of 8. 23 g/t Au and .0 69 g/t Pt across a 4.75 foot width. The Miller Adit was in strongly fractured and silicified, micaceous sedimentary rocks less than 20 metres north of a granitic intrusion. For much of its length the adit followed a north easterly trending system of quartz veins with local galena and sphalerite. Samples from the veins produced low Pb, Ag and Zn values with no gold. Silicified granite south of the Miller adit was sampled but did not yield any values. Photo below: Miller Tunnel in 2013.

---

Miller & Sunset Tunnels Mount Ida
UTM WGS84 11U 335888E 5614674N
Click to open Map Viewer

---

Corona Corporation conducted a regional property generation program in the Salmon Arm area in 1989. A thorough investigation was made of the Platinum Giant Property as part of this program. Thick sandy to clayey over burden covered large areas on the property. Good exposures do however occurred along Hobson and Leonard Creeks, in old workings and along the road system. During June 1989, three days were spent sampling and prospecting in the Miller adit area on the Platinum Giant 3 claim. The area between the Miller and Bonnie Brae adits had been trenched by Annmar Mining in 1967 exposing greisen style, polymetallic mineralization.

Sunset Claim
This group of eight claims was located close to the Miller Tunnel. It was reported to have featured two veins of silver, gold, lead and platinum, but no further information was available in regard to this occurrence than was furnished earlier in an account given by W.F. Ferrier and published in the final report of the Munition Resources Commission in the year of 1920. The property was later owned by Sunset MInes Ltd. with head office in Salmon Arm.

Photo below: Sunset claim in 2013.

Gertrude Claims
Information on the Gertrude Group of Mineral Claims was believed to have been the former Mount Ida property and the information obtained in the reports by Brewer and Ferrier appeared to be relevant. A geochemical soil sampling survey was carried out over the claim area in July 1980. A tunnel was dug and opened up in August-September 1980.

Arm #1, 2 & Ida #1, 2, 3 & 4 Claims Group
The Ida-Arm property was gold-silver and base-metal prospect. There were also indications that platinum may have been present in the claim area. The property group consisted of six mineral claims comprising 112 units, covering an area of 2,800 hectares located immediately south of the town of Salmon Arm and north of its industrial area.

---

Mineral Exploration & Development of British Columbia
Assessment Report Database
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/aris/Search

---

John (Jack) R. Thornton Mine
An easily accessible mine claim is that of J.R. Thornton. He prospected and mined in an area above Salmon Arm’s industrial area. A hiking trail leads up from 40th Street (Boutwell). Vehicles can park near the gate and the mine trail starts behind the concrete water tank on the power line and winding steeply up the mountain to about 800 feet elevation. In early summer, hundreds of Fairyslippers, rare  orchids grow along the trail. Photo below: Fairyslippers.

The claim features four mine shafts, two at the bottom and two more at the top where Thornton’s grave marker is situated and where once his cabin stood. The trail between the mine sites is moderately steep, the top site completely flat. Photo below: Trail from lower mine shafts to Thornton cabin site at the top in 2013.

Thornton Mine History – In the early 1930 and 1940’s, a prospector by the name of J.R. Thornton was roaming the slopes of Mount Ida above Salmon Arm. Born in 1870, Thornton was known as antisocial in his days as he spent most of his time away from towns except for when he needed to get supplies or have some ore samples tested. At Mount Ida, he built a cabin and worked in two shafts of an older abandoned claim which had been staked there earlier in 1899 by a C. Bain and Alphonse Eiman. The photo below shows remnants of Thornton’s cabin, ten years earlier in  in 2003.

During the summers Thornton prospected on the Adams Plateau and in the Cotton belt country in North Shuswap, above Seymour Arm. When in 1943 locals noticed an extended absence of him, they sent up a search party to his claim and found him dead in his bed. Parts of his cabin appeared charred by fire and it was speculated what faith Thornton had met. The photo below shows what the cabin’s leftovers looked like in 2007.

His body was placed into one of the shafts which was then blasted shut with dynamite. Locals recalled a loud explosion and a massive dust plume on Mount Ida. The following year, a grave marker was brought up placed in front of the mine shaft. Two partially caved-in shafts are now heavily overgrown by vegetation. In 2003, remnants of Thornton’s dilapidated cabin were still present at the site. The same year, hikers discovered a marker in an area above the cabin bearing  ‘… claim 1988 Jardine’ (UTM WGS84 340385E 5614921N). Photo below: Thornton mine grave marker at his mine on Mount Ida in 2007.

---

Thornton Mine Mount Ida
UTM WGS84 11U 341022E 5614897N
Click to open Map Viewer

---

Photo below: J.R. Thornton grave marker in 2007

Photo below: J.R. Thornton grave marker in 2013.

As time goes by, nature takes its toll. Trees fall down in snowstorms and vegetation grows wild in summer, eventually covering up all tracks from the past. Some time between 2003 and 2007, a local business man who wanted to organise tours to the mines, removed all debris of the damaged cabin. Some stuff went into a pile and other items such as old rusty cans were thrown over the edge down into a nearby ravine. Unfortunately, like many other mine sites in this country, none of them were protected as historic sites. Photos below: Upper and Lower mine shafts in 2013.

.

Questions?
Drop us a line!

.

.

---

We’re back at Ellison Provincial Park at Okanagan Lake in Vernon BC for another photo shoot. There is something special about this park and its natural features. With the right lighting, the red beach sands and the turquoise water look exotic. With the main gate closed during the winter months, access to the water is on foot past the gate via the main road straight down. The park map at the visitor’s info station does not feature a “You are here” graphic on its map, but heading on trails due west is the best course to follow. 

Ellison Park features some interesting rock formations throughout the area. Ponderosa Pine trees grow everywhere, some seemingly right on the rocks. The main paved trail leads straight down to an area with wash rooms and picnic tables. From there two beautiful coves on Okanagan Lake can be accessed. Straight ahead are massive boulders inviting for a scramble. caution is advised as some sharp drops offer an involuntary plunge into the lake! At the bottom rest area, we spotted a warning about cougar sightings in the park.

Many rough rock outcrops are found throughout Ellison Park. Bunch Grass, Oregon Grape bushes, Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir make up for most of the vegetation. In spring, snakes and ticks come alive. Western and south facing rock outcrops can make for ideal snake dens.  The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake occurs in the Okanagan, Kettle, Nicola, Thompson and Fraser River watersheds.

Snakes are most common on dry hillsides. There are two kinds of ticks in the Thompson-Okanagan that can cause harm to people, and one of them can cause temporary paralysis. Once the snow melts, ticks start showing up in the region as early as February. They both will be found on humans mostly on the scalp, he said. Ticks will find hosts by climbing to the tops of tall grass to hitch a ride. To remove a tick, use tweezers slid underneath and atop the insect’s back followed by a gentle pull back.

---

A few tips to avoid surprises with snakes: ▪ Wear protective footwear, such as rubber or high leather boots and pants when working in tall grass or cluttered areas. ▪ Move slowly and be observant if you are in an area where rattlesnakes are likely to be present (rocky talus, open grasslands and wetlands). ▪ Step around, not over debris, as a snake could be on the other side. ▪ Never put hands some place where you cannot see if a snake is present. ▪ Never harass a snake; they may bite if threatened. ▪ If you encounter one, leave it alone.

---

Close at the lake in a dead tree, a Pileated Woodpecker is whacking wildly to catch his favourite food – carpenter ants. These woodpeckers are some of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest.

Sharp drops on the very edge of the rocks at the lake  can be treacherous. The scene in the photo is misleading as the abyss really is straight down. The rocks seen on the lake bottom are actually huge boulders. In the summer, all of these ledges are cluttered with people seeking the best sunbathing spots.  

Ellison Park has a rich cultural history. In the mid 1990’s, arrowhead shards were found on one of the beaches. Kekuli pits are evidence of early First Nations inhabitants. A laid-back paradise for nature lovers awaits visitors from near and far. At Ellison Park you can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, rock climbing, swimming, scuba diving and more.

It’s amazing to see some of the pines that find the smallest of dirt on the rocks and insist to make a living there. The ability of these trees to grow on rocks showcases the ingenuity of nature to thrive in challenging environments by utilizing available resources . Pine trees have evolved specialized root systems that enable them to access nutrients and water from unlikely sources.

The park also conserves habitat for wildlife including deer, Columbian ground squirrels, red squirrels, porcupines, snakes including the rare rubber boa, and many reptile, amphibian and bird species.

On the way back to Vernon, we spotted this pair of Bald Eagles in a tree just off the road which added to the highlights of this outing..

.

 

Questions?
Drop us a line!

.

.

---

Albas BC – The Shuswap’s Most Powerful Waterfall – A cool site for lovers of waterfalls, are the ones at the old Albas settlement in the North Shuswap which are generally referred to as Albas Falls. Several cascading falls provide a spectacular show of water power, especially during run-off season with increased water flow. Historically speaking, Albas was once a small community, where trapper, prospector and namesake Al Bass. Caleb Albert “Al” Bass born in 1866, lived at the turn of the century in a cabin at Seymour Landing from the mid 1890’s to about 1935 – 1936. (Source: Albert Bass – BC Mines Report 1907, p.132.)

Today, Albas is part of 23 Shuswap marine parks and it’s official name is Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park – Albas Falls Site. All locations are popular for fishing and water sports; hiking and nature study are popular at some sites. Some sites are road accessible, but most are water-access only. 

Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park – Albas Falls Site is a popular camping area located at the north-west end of Seymour Arm. The access road from Celista and St. Ives is a logging road which is at times quite rough. Repetetive washboard and large rocks on the road surface limit the travel speed which should be considered. Some areas are road accessible. 

A trail that begins near Steamboat Bay follows Celesta Creek upstream approximately 1.5 km, then crosses the creek and returns to the lake. Noted for a series of beautiful waterfalls and some interesting features from early logging days. Bears are frequent visitors in this site.

As many trails follow raging waters in this park, it is worth noting the associated dangers as steep drops and unguarded viewing points are plentiful. Similar caution is required when entering some the waterfall pools which can exhibit powerful undertow currents during times of elevated water levels. Unfortunately, a few people have been swept away and drowned as a result of it in Albas Provincial Park.

Directions: Approx 9.4 km west of Sorrento on Hwy 1, turn left onto Squilax-Anglemont Rd and follow it for approx 46 km to St. Ives. The pavement ends soon and you need to follow this dirt road up the west side of Seymour Arm. Half way up this road you will find (strangely so) an old pay phone mounted on the road embankment. There have been recent reports and speculations about its time era – rest assured, it has been there for a long time. We have seen it on a trip in the mid 1990’s.

Between the 30 and 31 km marker, keep an eye out for an easy-to-miss sign on your right to Albas Provincial Park. Turn right down the road and follow it for another 2km. This road is quite narrow and full of deep potholes, so take it easy! For water access, dock at Steamboat Bay, located on the opposite side of the creek from the campsite. 

.

.

Questions?
Drop us a line!

.

.

---

Pictographs & Petroglyphs of the Shuswap, Kootenay & Vancouver Island BC, an account of visits to various sites in British Columbia’s Shuswap, Kootenay and Vancouver Island regions. In BC, more than 500 examples of either pictographs or petroglyphs (ancient rock paintings or carvings) have been discovered. This is more than any other province in Canada.

In the Shuswap region, many of the pictograph sites are found on large rock walls above water and are therefore not easily accessible to everyone. Given how well known some of these sites are to locals and summer tourists boating on the lakes in the region, they are in remarkable good conditions. 

The Kootenay’s Slocan Lake features more than one dozen sites along is vast rocky shorelines. In the past, there have been reports of some vandalism by a teenage party at Slocan Lake but little information is available on the web about the incident.

Petroglyphs, rock carvings are much more resilient to the impacts of ageing, erosion, weather and people’s activities. On Vancouver Island, a great site is found in Petroglyph Provincial Park, located at the south end of Nanaimo featuring a high concentration of 1,000 year old prehistoric rock carvings. 

Here, an old plaque advises visitors of the Historic Objects Preservation Act of British Columbia. It reads “Notice – All historic objects in the vicinity have been placed under the protection of the Historic Objects Preservation Act of British Columbia and any interference with the same is subject to penalty.” 

Sproat Lake Provincial Park – One of the finest panels of petroglyphs to be seen in British Columbia is located at the east end of Sproat Lake on central Vancouver Island. One of the park’s most significant features is a panel of petroglyphs called “K’ak’awin” on lake shore rocks depicting mythological figures. 

---

A number of well known books have been published on the subject of Pictographs & Petroglyphs of the Shuswap, Kootenay & Vancouver Island BC. In 1968, John Corner, a  Vernon resident wrote “Pictographs (Indian Rock Paintings) in the Interior of British Columbia“  followed by Annie York, Richard Daly and Chris Arnett in 1993 with “They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever“.

In 2003 “Exploring BC’s Pictographs” by Simon Nankivell and David Wyse was published by Russel Mussio of Mussio Ventures Ltd. (Backroad Mapbooks). This book, described as “An explorer’s guide to one of BC’s best kept secrets in the mysterious world of Indian rock paintings” has been apart from other publications as site locations were described in great detail including geographic coordinate information. Sources tell the publication of this book caused discomfort with First Nations peoples and as a result, planned re-prints were halted.

.

.

Questions?
Drop us a line!

.

.

---

American White Pelicans are an exciting sight in the Shuswap. Their presence however is not as rare as commonly believed and widely reported by local press. Salmon Arm residents near the bay have spotted the birds almost annually for decades. Vernon residents living near Okanagan Lake share the observations. There have been multiple reports of the birds visiting up and down the Okanagan and Shuswap.

The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America with a 9-foot wingspan, weighing up to 30 pounds. Despite their long beaks, these pelicans do not dive from the air to fish. Despite their great size, flocks often soar very high in the air.

American White Pelicans are found across the north-central and western United States. In Canada, they are found in the Interior of British Columbia at Stum Lake north-west of Williams Lake and east to northwestern Ontario. Eventually, they migrate south to the Gulf Coast states, Mexico and on to Central America. 

Males and females of American White Pelicans look alike, with snow-white plumage set off by black wing feathers that are most noticeable in flight. Bill, legs and feet are pale orange. Juveniles are dusky white with pale yellow bills and feet. During the breeding season, these birds become more colourful with the bare skin around the eye, legs and feet changing to a vivid red-orange, and a light-yellow crest growing atop their heads.

The American White Pelican is seasonally monogamous and highly social. They pair up quickly after arriving at their large colony sites, usually located on isolated lake or marsh islands. Circular flights over the colony indicate courtship. When on the ground, the birds display a variety of strutting, bowing, and head swaying.

A simple scrape on the ground, sometimes edged with a shallow rim of vegetation is the nest built by a mated pair. Two eggs on average are shared by both adults for a month long incubation.

Pelicans warm their eggs under their large feet, a behaviour that occurs only in pelicans and some pelican-like birds, such as Brown Booby and Brandt’s Cormorant. The young hatch naked and blind, but their eyes open within a day, and they quickly develop a covering of white down. The American White Pelican is especially sensitive and will abandon its eggs and young if humans approach too closely....

.

Questions?
Drop us a line!

.

.

---

British Columbia Driftwood Photography is about ‘Driftwood’ which is often found on ocean beaches and along rivers and lakes. Driftwood is is a very interesting to photograph. It often appears in bizarre shapes and with detailed textures especially after it has been in water for a long time and has been bleached by the sun. Sometimes, the leftovers of trees take on shapes that look like sculptures, shapes of animals or creatures.

In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides shelter and food for birds, fish and other aquatic species as it floats in the ocean. Gribbles, ship worms and bacteria decompose the wood and gradually turn it into nutrients that are reintroduced to the food web.

Sometimes, the partially decomposed wood washes ashore, where it also shelters birds, plants, and other species. Driftwood can become the foundation for sand dunes.

---

Read Also: Pictographs & Petroglyphs of the Shuswap, Kootenay & Vancouver Island BC

---

A subset of driftwood known as drift lumber, includes the remains of man-made wooden objects, such as buildings and their contents washed into the sea during storms, wooden objects discarded into the water from shore, or lost cargo from ships.

Erosion and wave action may make it difficult or impossible to determine the origin of a particular piece of driftwood.

---

Read Also: Water Photography – Capture the Power

---

Driftwood has an interesting history tied to itself. Carried by Arctic rivers, driftwood was the main, or sometimes only, source of wood for some Inuit and other Arctic populations living north of the tree line until they came into regular contact with European traders.

Traditional Inuit boats such as the kayak were fashioned from driftwood frames covered in skins. Driftwood could be used to make bows and arrows if it was straight grained and in reasonably good condition.

.

Questions?
Drop us a line!

.