Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales

Boundary Falls near Greenwood, British Columbia may look like a quiet roadside waterfall, but it holds a rich and forgotten past.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the history of Boundary Creek, where gold was first discovered in 1860, the growth of a small frontier town in the 1890s, and the rise of the Sunset Smelter and early hydroelectric power in the early 1900s.From gold rush beginnings to industrial boom and eventual decline, this is the story of a place most people drive right past—without ever knowing what once stood here.

🎙️ The Rise & Fall of the B.C. Copper Company Smelter | Greenwood BC HistoryThe history of Greenwood, British Columbia is deeply rooted in mining — and few places represent that historic legacy more than the B.C. Copper Company Smelter.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the historic remains of the B.C. Copper Company Smelter in Anaconda, just south of Greenwood, BC. Built in 1901 to process ore from the nearby Mother Lode Mine — one of the richest copper mines in Boundary Country — this massive industrial site became the heart of Greenwood’s mining boom.At its peak, the smelter operated 24 hours a day and processed more than 210,000 tonnes of ore annually. Its towering 36-metre brick smokestack, constructed from nearly 250,000 bricks, was the tallest in the province at the time and remains one of the most recognizable historic landmarks in Greenwood today.We share drone footage over the historic slag pile, explore the massive bell-shaped slag pots known as “Hell’s Bells,” walk the foundations of the original smelter and mill site, and examine the rusted remains of mining and milling equipment, including a ball mill. Historic photographs bring the site back to life, showing Greenwood’s copper mining industry during its most prosperous years.Walking the slag pile today feels like stepping onto another world — a hardened reminder of the copper mine operations and industrial ambition that helped shape this region of British Columbia.This episode is part of our ongoing exploration of Boundary Country history, including previous episodes on the ghost town of Phoenix and historic Greenwood — Canada’s smallest incorporated city with a rich mining past.The fire may be gone.But the history remains.We gratefully acknowledge BC Archives, Boundary Heritage, Greenwood Museum, Canadian West Magazine (Issue #1, “Historic Greenwood” by T.W. Paterson), and Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of the Boundary Country by Garnet Basque.A heartfelt thank you as well to our community on Facebook, Instagram, and our YouTube subscribers who continue to share memories, historic photographs, and local mining history with us.Research & Archival Credits

Greenwood, British Columbia didn’t appear overnight.In this opening episode of a multi-part series, Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales explores how Greenwood rose from wilderness into one of the Boundary Country’s most important early mining communities.This episode sets the stage — the land, early trails, first settlements, and the conditions that made Greenwood possible. In the episodes that follow, we’ll dive deeper into the people, industries, fires, boom years, and defining moments that shaped Canada’s smallest incorporated city.A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared personal stories and historical photos that helped bring this series to life.🎙️ New episodes every Friday📍 British Columbia history, ghost towns, and forgotten places

Canada’s Highest City… Gone Almost OvernightHigh above British Columbia’s Boundary Country, a booming mining city once stood at 4,600 feet. Thousands of people lived here. Trains ran day and night. Copper poured out of the mountain. And then — almost overnight — it was gone.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the rise of Phoenix — once the highest incorporated city in Canada. Originally known as Greenwood Camp, Phoenix quickly grew into a modern mining city with railways, hotels, churches, schools, a hospital, and a thriving community built on copper.Between 1909 and 1911, Phoenix shipped nearly half of all the crude copper mined in Canada. But after the First World War, falling copper prices and mine closures triggered a rapid and devastating collapse. Families packed up and left, many believing they would return.They never did.Today, all that remains of Phoenix is a First World War cenotaph, two historic graveyards, and a massive open pit carved into the mountain where a bustling city once stood.🎧 This is Part 1 of our two-part series on Phoenix.In Part 2, we tell the powerful story of the three men who stayed behind and lived on in a ghost town long after everyone else had gone.#trackstrailsandtales #exploringdirt #ghosttowns #bchistory #abandonedmines #explorebc #adventurepodcast #phoenixbc#ghosttownsofbc#ghosttown#canadianhistory#bchistory#mininghistory#abandonedplaces#boundarycountry#canadaghosttowns#explorebc#forgottenhistory#historicaldocumentary#canadianmining#lostplaces#trackstrailsandforgottentales #history#historicplaces#ghosttown#historymatters#historypodcast#historic

Power built this town — but at what cost?In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the life and legacy of John Carmichael Haynes, one of the most powerful figures in the early history of Osoyoos and the South Okanagan.Arriving in British Columbia during the gold rush, Haynes rose quickly through the ranks as a constable, customs officer, magistrate, judge, and government agent. He helped establish early border control, enforced colonial law across vast regions, and built what became the largest ranch in the South Okanagan — earning the title “The Cattle King.”But Haynes’ story is not a simple pioneer tale.We examine how power, land, and colonial policy shaped the Okanagan, including the displacement of Indigenous peoples, reserve reductions, and the long-term consequences that still echo today. From the rise of cattle ranching as the region’s first major industry to the dramatic collapse of the Haynes Ranch after his death, this episode looks at the foundations — and the costs — of settlement.This is a story of ambition, authority, and legacy — and why understanding it matters.🎧 New episodes exploring British Columbia’s hidden history, lost places, and forgotten stories.#trackstrailsandtales #exploringdirt #ghosttowns #bchistory #abandonedmines #explorebc #adventurepodcast#GoldRushEra#CattleRanching#ColonialHistory#IndigenousHistory#ForgottenHistory#TracksTrailsForgottenTales#goldrush#JohnCarmichaelHaynes#OsoyoosHistory#SouthOkanagan#BritishColumbiaHistory#HaynesRanch#CanadianHistory#historic#historicplaces#abandoned#bchistory#goldtrailsandghosttowns#johnhaynes#haynesranch#historylovers#historicplaces#goldrushjudges

Today marks 61 years since one of the most tragic events in Canadian history — the Hope Slide.In the early morning hours of January 9, 1965, Canada’s largest and most destructive landslide forever changed the landscape near Hope, British Columbia. More importantly, it claimed the lives of four young people: Mary Kalmakoff, Bernie Lloyd Beck, Dennis Arlitt, and Thomas Starchuk.This episode focuses on the human stories behind the tragedy — the people who were travelling that night, the lives lost, and the lasting impact left on families, communities, and the province itself. While the physical scar on the mountainside is still visible today, the personal loss remains the most powerful legacy of the Hope Slide.The death toll could have been far higher if not for Norman Stephanishin, whose actions helped warn others travelling the highway that night, preventing further loss of life.This episode serves as Season 2, Episode 1 of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales and sets the tone for the season ahead — deeply researched British Columbia history, told through the lives of the people who lived it.#hopeslide #hopeslide1965 #canadianhistory #britishcolumbiahistory #canadaslargestlandslide #historictragedy #remembering #inmemory #neverforgotten #hopebc #historypodcast #storytelling #documentary #truehistory #educational #bcstories #canadahistory #trackstrailsandforgottentales #season2

Fairview, BC — a booming gold town that rose fast… and vanished just as quickly.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the incredible (and tragic) history of Fairview, once the South Okanagan’s busiest mining town. Today, only a few traces remain, but its stories still echo across the hills above Oliver, BC.Fairview was named for its “fair view” of the valley, and at its peak it was home to thriving mines, busy streets, ranches supplying food by horse and wagon, and a population full of hope for the future. But everything changed after the devastating Fairview Hotel fire, a tragedy that took four lives and marked the beginning of the town’s rapid decline.We walk you through:✔️ The rise of Fairview’s gold rush and its profitable mines✔️ Daily life in the booming frontier town✔️ The ranches and farms that kept Fairview fed✔️ The Fairview Hotel fire and the heartbreaking human stories behind it✔️ How the town emptied almost overnight once the gold was gone✔️ What still remains of Fairview today✔️ The story of “The Blasted Church” and its explosive connection to the townsiteWhether you're a BC history lover, a ghost town explorer, or an adventurer who loves forgotten places, this episode brings Fairview’s past back to life.🏔️ Join us as we uncover the lost stories buried beneath the South Okanagan hills.Now streaming on:🎥 YouTube – full video episodes & highlights🎙 Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeartRadio & Apple Podcasts – audio episodes on the go.📍 What to expect:Ghost towns like Phoenix, Sandon & GreenwoodThe historic Kettle Valley RailwayAbandoned mines, smelters & pioneer trailsOutdoor adventure: camping, hiking & exploring BC’s backroads👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell 🔔 to join us on every journey into the past.Stay Curious. Stay Adventurous.Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales.Follow On Our Social media:💟Website:www.exploring-dirt-with-dan-carm.com 💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploring_dirt_with_dan/💟Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1169911258173771/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT☕ Support and help FUEL the adventure and help us keep exploring!Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exploringdirtPayPal: https://www.paypal.me/exploringdirt👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Canadian adventures, abandoned places, and off-the-beaten-path stories.#trackstrailsandtales #exploringdirt #ghosttowns #bchistory #abandonedmines #explorebc #adventurepodcast#trackstrailsandtales #exploringdirt #ghosttowns #bchistory #abandonedmines #explorebc #adventurepodcast #kaledenhotel #kaledenbc #okanaganhistory #bchistory #historicplacesbc #heritageconservation #okanaganvalley #historicruins #abandonedplacesbc #saveourhistory #preserveourpast #heritageat risk #historicbuildingsbc #skahalake #southokanagan #bcokanagan #visitbc #canadianhistory #travelbritishcolumbia #historypodcast #canadianpodcast #bcpodcast #newpodcastepisode #podcastlife #historylovers #architecturelovers #oldbuildingcharm #ruinsofhistory#podcast

Step aboard the SS Moyie in Kaslo, British Columbia. The world’s last intact and fully restored sternwheeler of it's kind. Once a proud part of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s lake fleet, the SS Moyie carried passengers, freight, and dreams across Kootenay Lake for over 50 years.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the decks of this beautifully preserved maritime time capsule, uncovering its rich history, legendary journeys, and the people who kept it alive.From the paddlewheel to the pilothouse, join Dan and Carm as they step back in time to experience one of BC’s most remarkable historic sites.📍 Location: Kaslo, BC🚢 Feature: SS Moyie Sternwheeler National Historic Site🎧 Podcast: Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales#ssmoyie #kootenays #kaslobc #history #sternwheeler #canadianhistory #bchistory #explorebc #trackstrailsandforgottentales #historicalsites #historicalplaces #discoverbc #discoverkaslo #adventurepodcast #historypodcast #kootenayhistory #truehistory #explorecanada #canadianhistory #canadianpodcast #storytellingpodcast #newepisode #timecapsule #visitkootneys #visitkaslo #kaslo #trackstrailsandtales #explorewithus #canadianadventures #canadianroadtrip #beautifulbc Now streaming on:🎥 YouTube – full video episodes & highlights🎙 Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeartRadio & Apple Podcasts – audio episodes on the go.📍 What to expect from Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales:Ghost towns like Phoenix, Sandon & GreenwoodThe historic Kettle Valley RailwayAbandoned mines, smelters & pioneer trailsOutdoor adventure: camping, hiking & exploring BC’s backroads👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell 🔔 to join us on every journey into the past.Lost Places, Hidden Trails and Real StoriesTracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales.Follow On Our Social media:💟Website:www.exploring-dirt-with-dan-carm.com 💟Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploring_dirt_with_dan/💟Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1169911258173771/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT☕ Support and help FUEL the adventure and help us keep exploring!Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exploringdirtPayPal: https://www.paypal.me/exploringdirt👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Canadian adventures, abandoned places, and off-the-beaten-path stories.#trackstrailsandtales #exploringdirt #ghosttowns #bchistory #abandonedmines #explorebc #adventurepodcast

Can a hat really help reforest Canada? 🌲In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, hosts Dan and Carm talk with Ben — founder of STOK Apparel, a Canadian outdoor lifestyle brand with a mission to give back to nature. From the forests of BC to the roots of sustainable fashion, Ben shares the story behind the hat — how passion for adventure sparked a movement that’s reforesting the land, one tree at a time.👉Website: stokapparel.com👉Instagram: @stok.apparel🎧 Listen now to discover how STOK Apparel is blending adventure, sustainability, and purpose to inspire explorers across Canada.#stokapparel #reforestation #exploringdirt #trackstrailsandforgottentales #canadianpodcast #outdoorbrand #getstokd #forestrestoration #sustainablefashion #overlandlife #adventurepodcast #explorebc

🏝️ Rattlesnake Island sits in the middle of Okanagan Lake, but its history is stranger than fiction.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we uncover the bizarre dreams of Eddie Haymour, who set out to build an Arabian theme park complete with pyramids, a giant camel, and desert-inspired attractions. What followed was a whirlwind of government conspiracies, financial ruin, and even a hostage crisis that shocked Canada.🎙️ Join us as we explore:• The strange vision behind Rattlesnake Island• The rise and fall of a desert theme park in British Columbia• The real-life drama that turned into one of Canada’s most unbelievable storiesIf you’re into Canadian history, bizarre events, abandoned places, or forgotten tales, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.✨ New episodes every two weeks on Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales.

Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales | Episode: 5Step back into the dark side of the Cariboo Gold Rush with the chilling story of the 108 Mile Murders. Known as the “Hotel from Hell,” this notorious roadhouse along the Cariboo Wagon Road was said to be the site of theft, kidnapping, and the brutal murders of more than 50 unsuspecting miners lured in for their gold.In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we take you to 108 Mile House, BC, where we explore the old heritage buildings, uncover stories from the book Hotel From Hell that I picked up at the site, and retrace the history that still haunts this Gold Rush stop.Our adventure doesn’t stop there—we also share our camping experience in Likely, BC, a historic mining town with outdoor displays and a stunning lakeside campsite, bringing both the beauty and the darker history of the Cariboo to life.If you’re fascinated by Canadian history, true crime, ghost towns, or the Gold Rush era, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, iHeartRadio & Audible▶️ Watch on YouTube for photos, video, and a deeper look at the sites we explored.✨ Don’t forget to subscribe for more hidden history, forgotten tales, and backroad adventures.#tracksandtrails #forgottenhistory #truecrimepodcast #bcgoldrush #108milehouse #hotelhell #ghosttowns #explorebc #canadianhistory #cariboogoldrush #historypodcast #campingbc #travelbc

Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales takes you off the beaten path and deep into the history, legends, and landscapes of British Columbia and beyond.Join us as we explore ghost towns, abandoned mines, forgotten railways, hidden trails, and the stories time left behind. From lost gold caches and frontier mysteries to breathtaking waterfalls and rugged backroads, every episode uncovers the real adventures and histories buried in the land.Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply love a good story, this podcast brings the wild beauty and untold tales of the backroads to life.✨ Lost places. Hidden trails. Real stories.Available on Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts — and on Sept 17th 2025, YouTube. Search Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales.#historypodcast #adventurepodcast #explorebc #ghosttowns #forgottenplaces #canadianpodcast

In Episode 03 of Exploring Dirt – Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales, we begin our deep dive into one of our biggest adventures yet — a 5,600 km round trip from Kelowna, BC to Watson Lake, Yukon, and back. We headed north along the rugged west side of BC and returned down the remote eastern routes, making some incredible stops — and a few mistakes along the way. This is the first in a series documenting the places we explored, the things we missed, and the lessons learned while traveling deep into Canada’s backcountry. If you’re into ghost towns, Canadian history, and off-grid adventures, this one’s for you. Starting Point: Kelowna, BC Hosts: Dan & Carm Glabus Podcast: Exploring Dirt – Tracks, Trails and Forgotten Tales Like | Comment | Subscribe for more lost places, wild roads, and real stories from BC’s forgotten corners.Follow On Our Social media:Website:www.exploring-dirt-with-dan-carm.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploring_dirt_with_dan/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1169911258173771/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT Support and help FUEL the adventure and help us keep exploring!BuyMeCoffee: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exploringdirtPayPal: https://www.paypal.me/exploringdirt Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Canadian adventures, abandoned places, and off-the-beaten-path stories.#ExploringDirt #CanadianRoadTrip #WatsonLake #BCBackroads #GhostTownPodcast #CaribooGoldRush #AbandonedCanada #HistoricTowns #OffGridAdventure #NorthernBC #YukonTravel #BackcountryStories #AdventurePodcast