Category: 2WD Low Clearance Vehicle

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Ymir Mountain via Ymir Bowl

Ymir Mountain is renowned for its powder, but it’s also a perfectly hike-able summer excursion. Achieving the summit involves getting off 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: 6.7km
Elevation: +760m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult
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Wilson Creek Falls

The Wilson Creek Falls plunge 63m down into a rocky canyon, ripping with noise and spray. It’s a quick and impressive destination!

Summary
Trailhead: East Wilson Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 2.4km
Elevation: +140m
Season: mid-April to early November
Difficulty:  Easy

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Lyle Lakes & Mount Brennan

Cradled beneath Mount Brennan’s flanks are three subalpine lakes, glowing mineral-blue and suspended between braided waterfalls. The Lyle Lakes are a beautiful destination! And the trail beyond to Mount Brennan’s 2900m summit offers a challenging hike with staggering views.

Summary
Trailhead: Rossiter Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 10km (Lyle Lakes), 17km (Mt Brennan)
Elevation: +710m (Lyle Lakes), +1574m (Mt Brennan)
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult (Lyle Lakes),  Challenging (Mt Brennan)

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Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike and Monk Peak

Stagleap Provincial Park is renowned for backcountry skiing, but there is also a summer trail that dips along Lightning Strike. Ridgeline hiking is always a good choice, and this trail doesn’t disappoint with panoramic views of the mountains around Kootenay Pass.

Summary
Trailhead: Bridal Lake, Stagleap Provincial Park
Distance, round trip: 9.4km (Lightning Strike), 12km (including Monk Peak)
Elevation: +393m (Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike), +759m (including Monk Peak)
Season: early July to early October
Difficulty:   Moderate (Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike),  Difficult (Monk Peak)

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Dennis Creek Trail

The Dennis Creek Trail leads you up to a spectacular vista of alpine peaks and wildflowers! The trail itself is short, but the options for further ridge-line wandering and exploration are endless!

Summary
Trailhead: Hicks Creek Road
Distance, round trip: 3.6km
Elevation: +360m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Tulip Creek Falls

Short, sweet, spectacular – that’s the trail up to Tulip Creek Falls. It’s less of a hike and more of a diversion, but it’s well worth the trip!

Summary
Trailhead: Deer Park Road
Distance, round trip: 0.5km
Elevation: +16m
Season: late March to early November
Difficulty:  Easy

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Slocan – Kootenay Lookout

Let’s be honest. There are many hikes that end in climatic viewpoints all up and down the Kootenay River valley. This is yet another one, and although the lookout offers a big view of Crescent Valley and Playmor Junction, the trail itself is underdeveloped and underwhelming.

Summary
Trailhead: Pass Creek Road
Distance, round trip: 6.4km
Elevation: +330m
Season: mid-April to late October
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Brilliant Overlook

An incredibly scenic hike just outside Castlegar! It’s hard work stomping up that trail, but the panoramic views overlooking the Columbia River Valley are well worth it.

Summary
Trailhead: McPhee Forest Service Road
Distance, round trip: 6.5km
Elevation: +350m
Season: mid-April to late October
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Syringa & Yellow Pine Trails

The trails above Syringa Provincial Park meander through an open forest of towering ponderosa pine. This is easy, pleasant walking with excellent views of Lower Arrow Lake.

Summary
Trailhead: Deer Park Road, Syringa Provincial Park
Distance, round trip: 6.6km
Elevation: +200m
Season: late March to mid-November
Difficulty:  Easy

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Gibson Lake

The trail circling Gibson Lake is short and splendid, wrapping along the lakeshore and crossing tributary streams. Most folks will want to venture onwards and upwards into Kokanee Glacier Park, but if you’re looking for an easy hike or something to pair with the Old Growth Trail, then Gibson Lake is worth the drive!

Summary
Trailhead: Kokanee Glacier Road
Distance, round trip: 2.1km
Elevation: 0m
Season: late June to mid-October
Difficulty:  Easy

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