
A forested trail, carpeted with moss and pillared with old growth trees. The subalpine lake is cradled in a steep valley with limited views but still a worthy destination.
Distance, round trip: 11 km
Elevation: +551 m
Season: mid-June to early-November
Difficulty:Â

Trailhead & Driving Directions
From Nakusp, drive 2.4 km north on Highway 23 and then turn right onto Nakusp Hot Springs Road. Follow the Hot Springs Road all the way to the end at 12 km and park at the hot springs.

Hot Springs Source
Follow the trail from the far end of the Hot Springs parking lot. It crosses Kuskanax Creek on an impressive bridge and follows the Hot Springs pipeline. At 0.5 km, ignore the signed junction for the Hot Springs Trail to the right (southwest) and stay left (east). Shortly after, pass the pools at the hot springs source and see a sign for Kimbol Lake. Watch out for poison ivy around the pools, especially hiding in the grass.


Big Trees
The trail rises through an impressive cedar forest, carpeted in thick moss. Some of the trees are real giants! At 1.7 km, cross a creek with a bench.





The forest is absolutely beautiful and worth the trip, never mind distant Kimbol Lake. Cross an old cutblock around 3km with views out over the valley.

Steep section
Now the trail gets steep as it goes straight up the slope. You’ll begin to curve into the Kimbol Lake valley, heading south as you ascend.

By 4.5km, you’re nearing Kimbol Lake and the trail begins to level off with another impressive stand of old growth cedars. Slow down here to admire the trees and catch your breath. The snow was just gone from this section of trail the second week of June.

Kimbol Lake
Reach Kimbol Lake around 5.2 km, but the shoreline is blocked by bushes. Follow the trail as it curves southwest around the lake to come to a rockslide with better access to the water. The lake is full of rainbow trout which were jumping for us at lunch time.



You’re doing a great job on this website, Abby!
Thank you so much!