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Westbridge
Westbridge is located 13.5 km (8.5 miles) north of Rock
Creek and 35 km (22 miles) south of Beaverdell
on Hwy 33.
Christian
Valley
Westbridge sits at a point on Hwy 33 where a bridge crosses the
West Kettle River. On the north side of the bridge is where you'll
find the junction point to the Christian Valley and the Kettle River.
Christian Valley is approximately 49 km (31 miles) away from Westbridge
north-east along a section of paved to a gravel forestry road.
General
Store and Post Office
Westbridge is a very small unincorporated community that has some
ranching and farming. At one time there was a general store located
here called the Westbridge General Store and Post Office which was
near the site of the old original hotel and post office. The store
served as the main hub and meeting place for people living in the
area.
Devastating
Fire
The general store, because of economic reasons, eventually closed
and was put up for sale. For various reasons the store sat unsold
for a period of time. Unfortunately, the store was destroyed by
a devastating fire in 2005 while it sat unoccupied. Presently, there
is a large empty lot showing no traces of the old general store.
Local
Services
Today there is very little economy and businesses present in Westbridge.
For people living in Westbridge and Christian Valley area or if
you're camping out, most local shopping, services and entertaining
has to be done in Rock Creek or
in Beaverdell. Here you can find grocery
stores, gas, pubs and accommodation.
Kettle
River Model Airshow
Some events in Westbridge include the Kettle River Model Airshow
held at Willy Hansinger's Farm only 6.5 km (4 miles) east of Westbridge
on the Christian Valley Road. The no-fee event is sponsored by the
Kettle River Model Flyers and happens in mid-July.
Trans-Canada
Trail - KVR
Westbridge also sits at a point just south of where you can find
access to the Trans-Canada Trail. The trail access is just on the
south side of the bridge crossing over the West Kettle River off
a well packed gravel lane. You can travel either way, north to the
abandoned rail station of Rhone, or south to the no-longer rail
point of Zamora.
Paul
Lautard's War Memorial
If you are travelling north on the Trans-Canada Trail-KVR to Rhone
7 km (4.4 miles) from Westbridge, you'll come to Paul Lautard's
War Memorial. Paul has also built the Cyclist Rest Stop, a shelter
for cyclists and walkers along the trail. If you do bump into Paul,
he is very informative about the West Kettle River Valley.
Rainbow
Trout Fishing
For Rainbow Trout fishing, you have a number of options available
in the area. There is the Kettle and West Kettle rivers located
right on either side of Westbridge, up the Christian Valley 64 km
(40 miles) at Copperkettle Lake (requires a 3 km [2 miles] hike)
and Conkle Lake about 16 km (10 miles) away from Hwy 33, just north
of Westbridge on a steep rough forest service road.
Conkle
Lake Provincial Park
If you do decide to take the trek into Conkle Lake, be prepared
to take your time on the forestry road. Once at Conkle Lake, you'll
find Conkle Lake Provincial Park which has a boat launch, campground
and a white sandy beach at one end. The campground is very quiet
and features a trail that goes to the end of the lake and tends
to follow the shoreline.
Kettle
River Provincial Park
Another provincial park close by to Westbridge is towards Rock
Creek on Hwy 33 called Kettle River Provincial Park. The park
features a great swimming
hole, campground and access to the Trans-Canada Trail-KVR route.
Tubing
the Kettle River
A really popular thing to do in the summer is for people to tube
the river from the bridge at Westbridge to the Kettle River Provincial
Park. Along the way, near the beginning of the route, you'll pass
the confluence of the Kettle and the West Kettle Rivers. Just remember,
while tubing past farmers' fields that this is private land, so
please respect their privacy.
Backcountry
Road Adventure
If you do decide to go up the Christian Valley Road and want some
adventure the very remote backcountry gravel road continues to the
north. It will eventually reach Hwy 6 near the headwaters of the
Kettle River, just east of Cherryville. There are lots of rustic
forest service campgrounds along the way that feature fishing holes.
Humuh
Monastery
The Christian Valley has, for a few years, become a centre for spiritual
awareness by the teachings found at the Humuh Monastery through
Master Maticintin. Specializing in Buddhist Transcendental Meditation,
the Humuh Monastery and Skycliffe Retreat Centre are located up
the Christian Valley Road by going to the 27 km (17 miles) marker
and following the signs.
RV
Camping
If you do require RV camping or a tent site while visiting Westbridge
there is both the Little Dipper Hideaway and the Old Cowboy Ranch.
The Kettle River RV Park is located 9 km (5.6 miles) east of the
junction of Hwy 3 and Hwy 33 in Rock
Creek at a settlement called Kettle Valley.
The
Little Dipper Hideaway
The Little Dipper Hideaway is located on the Blythe Rhone Road 10
km 6 miles) north on Hwy 33 in Rhone and features access to the
West Kettle River and the Trans-Canada KVR Trail.
Old
Cowboy Ranch
The Old Cowboy Ranch is only 3 km (2 miles) from Westbridge features
include large campsites on the Kettle River in a working ranch environment.
Information
on Westbridge
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