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This self-guided driving tour of the Phoenix Interpretive Forest has been developed to provide an overview of the social, educational, historic, economic, and environmental importance of the area to the boundary community. The area has a rich history of resource activity that leads back to the early prospectors as they searched for the motherlode. Today you can follow in their footsteps and explore the rich history and many resources of the Phoenix area.
The tour begins at the junction of the Phoenix Road and Highway #3 (at the Ski Hill sign). This is located approximately 19.5 km west of Grand Forks and 21 km east of Greenwood. Stops on the tour are posted with signs. The tour is approximately 22 km in length from the junction to Greenwood and can be completed in about 2 hours. However, we encourage you to take more time to fully explore the Phoenix area. The tour route follows paved and gravel secondary roads and is accessible to two-wheel drive vehicles year round.
STOP#1--0KM--JUNCTION OF PHOENIX ROAD AND HIGHWAY #3
This is the start of the tour, set you odometer to 0 and proceed west, up the Phoenix Road. During the drive, note the diversity of tree species, from spruce, cedar and cottonwood in the cool and moist sites to the fir and pine on the dryer hillsides. Also watch for the old railway grades that intersect the Phoenix Road.
STOP #2--3.6 KM ON SWITHCHBACK--MINE TAILING
These mine tailings are located on what was once the Tremblay family homestead. The homestead was a favorite coffee stop for the crews traveling on the railway which ran along the south side of the farm. The Tremblay tailings are the waste material piped from the open pit mining at Phoenix from 1959 to 1962. Recent sampling of the tailings has shown that considerable gold, silver and copper were not recovered by the original milling process. Testing of these tailings is on-going to determine the potential for recovery of these minerals. Please be aware that this is privately owned land.
STOP #3--5.5 KM--JUNCTION OF PHOENIX AND SKI HILL ROADS
From this junction, turn right. It is approximatley 1.5 km to the Phoenix Ski Hill. The community owned hill was built in 1969 on land donated by the Granby Mining Company and provides excellent downhill and cross country runs for skiers of all abilities.
STOP #4--12.2 KM--PHOENIX CENOTAPH
This cenotaph stands as a memorial to the 14 men of the city of Phoenix who died during WWI. When the war broke out in 1914, Phoenix citizens responded with great vigor, contributing to the Red Cross and other organizations and sending many volunteers overseas. Today, the Cenotaph also serves as a memorial to the vanished city of Phoenix which once boasted a population of about 4,000 people (1911). The Cenotaph was originally erected within the city. It was built in 1919 from proceeds raised from the dismantling and sale of the Phoenix skating rink. When the mine reopened in 1956, the Cenotaph was moved to it's current location.
STOP #5--MARSHALL LAKE
At the Cenotaph, turn left and proceed to Marshall Lake. There has been selective logging done in 2000 and a new parking area has been built. The land on the south and west sides of the lake is private; please respect it. Originally a small swamp, Marshall Lake is a man-made lake which was built as a water source during the Phoenix mining operation. It now supports small populations of rainbow trout and sunfish (crappies). The Marshall Lake Forest Service recreation site serves as a winter base for cross country skiers exploring over 17 km of trails. trails to the east of the lake lead to the current Phoenix alpine ski-hill less than a kilometer away.
STOP #6--15.0 KM--PHOENIX MINE SITE
The city was situated on what is now the open pit. At its peak, the city had over 16 hotels, a brewery and a professional hockey team. Once referred to as the "Mile High City", the elevation at Phoenix is actually 1,450m (4700').
Compare the mine site now with the photo of the city from approximately the same view point as this stop. When copper prices dropped in 1919, the mine closed and the residents locked their doors to move on to better opportunities-in many cases leaving their household possessions behind in the expectations of returning again some day. Numerous cave-ins at the railroad siding and town site began to present a dangerous problem which contributed to Granby Mining Co's decision to close the mine. The land where the old mine workings are located as well as much of the surrounding area is privately owned. Please do not trespass.
STOP #7--15.5KM--MINE TAILINGS DAM
As you swing around the first switchback on Phoenix Road, you will be looking at the large dam built for the mine tailings pond. The structural integrity of the dam is continuously monitored. The tailings and area below the dam is privately owned.
STOP #8--16.2 KM--MEADOW AND OLD BARN
Not all early pioneers were looking for mineral wealth. Farms and homesteads were established in conjuction with the influx of miners into the Boundary in the late 1800's. On the left are the remains of an old farm that once supplied eggs, milk and vegetables to the resisdents of Phoenix. Remains of the original house and barn can still be seen.
STOP #9--16.5 KM--PHOENIX CEMETARY
A walk through the old cemetery will reveal that very few of the people buried here ever reached the old age of three score and ten (70 years). Not all the graves are a result of mining accidents-many deaths occurred during the great influenza epidemic of 1918-19. Note the size of the Douglas-fir trees which have grown throughout the cemetery since 1919.
STOP #10--18 KM--COORDINATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (CRMP) SIGN
Coordinated Resource Management Planning was in effect since 1977. Then in 1995 the new Forest Practices Code came into effect. The Code provides many opportunities for the public, organized groups and other resource users to offer input on resource management decisions.
STOP #11--19.7 KM--FORSHAW HOMESTEAD
To the right stands the early Forshaw homestead. The farm house was built sometime around 1900. The known history of the farm begins with William Jenks who planted 400 fruit trees, some of which can still be seen along the hillside. Please note that this is private property still owned by the Forshaw family.
STOP #12--20.5 KM--PULL OUT ON 3RD SWITHCHBACK
This spot provides a good view over-looking the City of Greenwood, remnants of the B.C. Copper Co. smelter site and slag pile.
STOP #13--21.4 KM--ENTERING THE CITY OF GREENWOOD
Proceed to the stop sign at the junction of this street and Highway #3. Turn right (north) along the main street for 2 blocks to the Greenwood museum. The museum contains a wealth of historical information on the City of Greenwood and mining in the Boundary area.
STOP #14--21.8 KM--GREENWOOD MUSEUM
STOP #15--0/62 KM-- BOUNDARY MUSEUM GRAND FORKS
More of the history of the Boundary country is on display at the Boundary Museum in Grand Forks. The museum plays tribute to the mining, timber, recreational and agricultural heritage of the are. Today, these resources continue to play an important role in the life of Boundary residents and help make this area a great place to live
We hope you enjoy this driving tour. The Phoenix Forest, like all forests in British Columbia, is important to each of us for many reasons. Our forests provide the natural resources which contribute to our great quality of life. We depend on them for recreational, social, economic, educational and spiritual well-being. Through a cooperative Integrated Resource Management approach, forests such as Phoenix are managed for the use and enjoyment of everyone.