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Ymir Peak

Ymir Mountain is renowned for its powder, but it’s also a perfectly hike-able summer excursion. Achieving the summit involves following a difficult trail to traverse the boulders and scree in the Ymir Bowl, but the reward is ridge-line hiking with spectacular views!

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 8.5km
Elevation: +760m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult
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Haystack Mountain

Haystack Mountain is a remote peak in the Purcell Mountain Range. The access road is long, but the trail offers hikers the chance to bag a peak or just enjoy the lakes and ridges surrounding the area. Come in the fall for golden larches!

Summary
Trailhead: Sanca Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 11km
Elevation: +1008m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:Difficult

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Half Dome

For those that like a little more scramble, the Half Dome is a prominent landmark on Ymir Peak’s ridge with big panoramic views. The trail is still in development, so prepare for some route-finding as you pick your way along the ridge, using hands to scramble over the bluffs.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 8.8km
Elevation: +680m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:Difficult

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Larch Ridge Loop

Follow the mountain bike trails through the forest to a beautiful ridge with views over Trail and Rossland. Come in the summer for huckleberries or the fall for the golden larches.

Summary
Trailhead: Highway 3B
Distance, round trip: 8.9 km
Elevation: +275 m
Season: mid May to late October
Difficulty:
Easy

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Haiseldean Lake

A short hike to a quiet subalpine lake, with plenty more exploring on the surrounding ridges. The forest is studded with golden larches in the fall.

Summary
Trailhead: Redfish Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 7km
Elevation: +407m
Season: late June to early October
Difficulty: Moderate

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Beattie-White Queen Loop

Mount Beattie and White Queen have individual trails leading to their respective summits… but you can also hike a loop connecting the two! And the best part of the loop is the connection trail leads through a patch of wildflower meadow in the summer and a huge golden larch stand in the fall.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 12.3km
Elevation: +680m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Champion Lakes Trails

A beautiful network of trails looping around the three Champion Lakes. Explore as much as you want, but definitely visit the viewpoint!

Summary
Trailhead: Champion Park Road
Distance, round trip: 10.6km
Elevation: +129m
Season: early May to early November
Difficulty:
Easy
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Red Mountain (Rossland)

There is nothing like hiking a beautifully crafted trail! The hike to Red Mountain weaves through forests and bluffs at a steady grade, lifting you up to the summit with big views over the ski resort and Rossland.

Summary
Trailhead: Red Mountain Ski Resort
Distance, round trip: 9km
Elevation: +428m
Season: mid May to late October
Difficulty:
Moderate

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Summit Trail / Blaster’s Ridge

Yes, you can hike ALL OF THE SUMMITS! Or at least as many as you want. This new trail zig zags up Whitewater Ski Resort to access several peaks on the “summit side” of the hill.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 9.5km (to Hummingbird Peak)
Elevation: +521m (to Hummingbird Peak)
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Sphinx Mountain

Which mountain has two humps and riddles hikers with its steep ascent? Sphinx is a notable peak, towering high above Grey Creek Pass. It’s easily spotted from the Kootenay Lake Ferry but not so easily summited.

Summary
Trailhead: Grey Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 11.6km
Elevation: +999m
Season: early July to late September
Difficulty: Difficult 
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