OHRT History & Executive
We are fortunate for all those who have come before us, and we look forward to being a part of the future of this trail.
OHRT Executives
Our shared love of hiking, willingness to share this passion, and our commitment to maintaining the High Rim Trail has seen us combine forces to create the Okanagan High Rim Trail. Click to High Rim History section bleow.
President
I want to empower as many people as possible to access nature in and around the Okanagan. I’m passionate about public access, non motorized recreation, and active transportation.
As a child I cherished trips out into the wilderness with my father; now I’m enjoying passing some of those experiences down to my own daughter.
Whether it is down around our valley bottom, along the Okanagan High Rim Trail, or to more ambitious peaks around British Columbia, I’m looking forward to seeing you out and about.
– Jesse Kessler
Treasurer
Natalie-Anne Rutherford
Secretary
Tyler Smith
Director
Jerry Vandenberg
Director
Colleen Owens
2020 Board of Directors
- President: Jesse Kessler
- Secretary: Tyler Smith
- Treasurer: Natalie-Ann Rutherford
- Director: Doug Borthwick
- Director: Colleen Owens
2019 Board of Directors
- President: Jesse Kessler
- Secretary: Tyler Smith
- Treasurer: Natalie-Ann Rutherford
- Director: Doug Borthwick
- Director: Colleen Owens
- Wendy Vandenberg
2018 Board of Directors
- President: Brandon Bernadet
- Secretary: Tyler Smith
- Treasurer: Natalie-Ann Rutherford
- Director: Doug Borthwick
- Director: Michael Bate
Through the years, the trail fell into neglect before several Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club volunteers took on the restoration and maintenance of the trail in 2005 for a short period.
Later, Cabin Forestry received a grant from BC Parks in 2009 for further trail maintenance and bridge construction as well as the completion of the Okanagan Highland Trail (an extension of the High Rim Trail from Mission creek south to Okanagan Mountain Park).
Bruce’s original dream was to see the completion of a trail that would circle the entire Okanagan Valley. Perhaps one day, this grand vision will become reality.