Advertisement

201 Forest Service Road an easy detour around Highway 97 rockslide

Click to play video: 'Highwa 97 rockslide detour: Taking the 201 Forest Service Road'
Highwa 97 rockslide detour: Taking the 201 Forest Service Road
The Ministry of Transportation has recommended only two detours around the rockslide that has closed Highway 97 in the Okanagan. One of the detours is the 201 Forest Service Road on the east side of Okanagan Lake – Feb 6, 2019

Sure, there other ways to get around the Highway 97 rockslide closure, but they’re more of trip than a detour.

Today, we’re taking the 201 Forest Service Road, south from Idabel Lake to Carmi Road into Penticton and back.

The 201 winds its way along the east side of Okanagan Lake, but west of Highway 33, behind Little White mountain.

Story continues below advertisement

Dean Sharp of Alliance Traffic says the route is well marked.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Global News: So, I won’t get lost?

“No,” said Sharp.

Global News: I have your word on that. You don’t know my navigational skills. I get lost in my own house

“Well, just don’t use your GPS out here; there’s no signal,” Sharp said

Sharp is right: The detour is well marked and is well travelled.

There’s even some spotty cell service

Overall, it was a banner, blue-bird day on the 201. The road has some great vistas and some wildlife.

Sure, it’s little icy in spots, but a beautiful winter drive all in all. The road is nicely sanded and is graded nice and wide.

Simply put, the detour is not complicated at all.

If you’re driving south to the Peach City, the 201 deposits you onto Carmi Avenue, right at the hydro substation.

Story continues below advertisement

Folks that Global News talked to on the 201 didn’t mind the detour that much.

“Well, it takes a little more time, but, hey, what can you do?” said one motorist.

While there are other detour options, they take even more time.

Global News asked the same motorist how long it took to drive the 201.

“I don’t know; a little over an hour.”

Times will vary with weather and traffic, but count around an hour for the 201 portion of the detour

Global News also asked motorists to give the 201 a rating between one and 10.

“For a winter road that’s a bypass, I would give it an 8,” said the same motorist.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. So keep it slow and steady on the 201 and you’ll be just fine.

Sponsored content

AdChoices