The campground and park was initially a dairy farm, owned by Captain James Cameron Dun-Waters. He was born in Scotland. At the age of 22 he became very wealthy, when he received an unexpected inheritance. He was an avid hunter, and with his new found wealth, he made trips around the world to pursue his hunting expeditions. One of those trips was to the Okanagan, and in 1908, at the age of 44 years, he purchased land at Short's Point, on the west side of Okanagan lake, 15 kms from Kelowna and 30 kms from Vernon.
He erected a manor house, which still stands, and is located within the campground which now occupies his settlement. When he arrived at Short's Point he named his estate "Fintry" after his hometown in Scotland.
His estate included an apple orchard, sawmill, curling rink (he was from Scotland!), a fruit packing house, and a wharf for CPR sternwheelers to park and pick up his produce. All of these structures were designed and constructed by Dun-Waters,
The most intriguing venture was the prize winning Ayrshire dairy cattle he raised on his dairy farm. This dairy farm includes a unique octagonal barn which is located close to the trailhead to the water falls at Shorts Creek. At the top of the water fall, Dun-Waters constructed "an elaborate system of or flumes and pipes along with two suspension bridges to support the pipes which supplied water to his orchard and to power an electric generator which provided power for the entire estate".
"European engineers were stunned at the Laird's system of sprinklers for his crops. With his gravity fed water Dun-Waters managed to produce 150 pounds per square inch of water pressure which allowed him to install a sprinkler system for his orchards".
The hiking crew met at the trail head. The drive over from the resort was only 4 kms, and a few family members were camping in the campground nearby, and they walked over to the trail head.
The waterfall. The climb to the top of the waterfall is on a stairway that consists (from multiple reports) of at least 500 steps. There are viewing platforms on the way up which allows for rests, and photo opportunities.
The summit is at the top right of the photo. Look closely and you will see a young male who jumped the fence and is standing on top of a rock overlooking the top of the waterfall.
Some of the hikers taking a break.
Deegan at the base of a BIG tree.
The stairs are steep but very well constructed.
My phone died so have no photos of the suspension bridge, but please click on the following link:
Thank you for coming on the hike. I hope you enjoyed it!
Don
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