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The Othello Tunnel Train Series LbNA #10743 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 5, 2004
Location:
City:Hope
County:British Columbia, CAN
State:British Columbia, Canada
Boxes:4
Planted by:Secret Gardeners
Found by: Mike and Elaine (3)
Last found:Aug 17, 2007
Status:FFFF
Last edited:Sep 5, 2004
Degree of Difficulty: Medium

The picturesque Othello-Quintette Tunnels in the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, which line the Coquihalla River, were designed by Andrew McCullough. They were built between 1911 and 1918. The tunnels were created in order to complete the Kettle Valley Railway and were one of the most expensive pieces of railway ever built. The cost was more than five times the average cost per mile. There are four tunnels in all, carved from the solid granite of the 300 ft. Coquihalla Gorge. These tunnels are one of Hope's most popular attractions due to the beautiful setting and natural backdrop. In fact, these tunnels were so impressive that they were used as scenery for the films Rambo: First Blood, Shoot to Kill, and Far From Home: Adventures of Yellow Dog.
The Othello Tunnels are only a short drive from Hope. Once you park your car, you can take a leisurely walk right through the tunnels (flashlights are recommended but not necessary), and catch some spectacular glimpses at the Coquihalla Canyon gorge while strolling along.

The follow link will show you a panoramic view of the tunnels. http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/BC/VancouverLowerMainBC/Hope/OthelloTunnelsFour.html

You will have to pay for parking, you will likely be, longer than 1 hour.

Please note that this is a VERY heavily frequented attraction, so please be just as discreet when retrieving and re-hiding the boxes.

Leave the parking lot and follow sign to the Tunnels, stopping to read any signage you might pass. This is truly McCullough’s Wonder.

Before entering the first tunnel, leave the rails and climb to your left until you see the links. Do not venture too close but search to your left beneath the alder. There you will find a mossy rock and a good spot for the “Engine” to park.” Now you have begun your train!

Back to the rail bed and head for the light at the end of the tunnels. Count them, how many are there? Check the sign boards and find out more about this incredible feat of engineering before entering the last long dark hole.

This time, having come back out into the daylight, pass the links and view the fallen giant, continue to coast down the grade (remember, the grade is only 3.3% - you are going downhill at this point but will not notice it) to where the “Caboose” got hung up on a very large rock and is stuck at 300 degrees magnetic to the trail.

(**** Caboose may be missing, please let us know if you find it)

Now back to 1951 and to couple your cars. With your back to the middle of “Conquering the Canyon” search out the huge stone wall and arching Alder at 120 degrees magnetic. Tackle the grade to the base of the arch and nestled beneath an overhang is your “Sausage” waiting to be coupled.

Note the perfectly aligned tunnels and wonder how they did that given the tools of that era, as you again follow the light in the distance until you leave where you began and pass one rest spot before stopping at the next. At magnetic north you will spot a perpendicular marker to a fallen hero. Check at the locus and pick up the “Boxcar” before going back to your own.