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McKean Lakes

McKean Lakes is a worthwhile alpine destination, tucked away on the edge of Valhalla Provincial Park. The road is long, the trail is steep, but the lakes are cradled beneath impressive peaks.

Summary
Trailhead: Koch Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 10.4km
Elevation: +671m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult
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Grassy Mountain

Grassy Mountain is renown for its winter powder, but it’s also a great summer destination for those that don’t mind hiking off trail. You can explore the ridges which are full of spring wildflowers and offer big wide views of the Bonnington Range.

Summary
Trailhead: Munson FSR
Distance, round trip: 14km
Elevation: +663m
Season: early June to early October.
Difficulty:  Difficult
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Elephant Mountain Traverse (CBC Tower)

Going up and over Elephant Mountain is a big day. But sometimes that’s just what you need to break in those boots! This is a difficult hike with significant elevation, but it’s scenic and close to home! At each milestone, the City of Nelson shrinks further below and more and more peaks unfold from the distant valleys.

Summary
Trailhead: Pulpit Rock Trailhead or Lyon’s Bluff Trailhead
Distance, round trip: 13.5km
Elevation: +1120m
Season: mid-May to late October
Difficulty:  Difficult
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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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Mount Kuskanax (South Trail)

If you like steep trails, then you’ll love Mount Kuskanax! The southern trail ascends at a wicked grade before levelling out along the long ridge-line approach to the summit.

Summary
Trailhead: Kuskanax Mountain Road
Distance, round trip: 10.6km
Elevation: +911m
Season: late June to early October
Difficulty: Difficult
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Silver Spray Cabin

The trail to Silver Spray Cabin just goes up and up and up. Up through the forest, up along Silver Spray Creek, up around Clover Basin. The reward is an alpine cabin situated in a beautiful basin of lakes and meadows and peaks.

Summary
Trailhead: Woodbury-Fletcher FSR
Distance, round trip: 14.4km
Elevation: +1072m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Difficult
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Davis Creek Trail

Tighten your hiking boots and prepare for an incredibly steep trail that ascends to a panoramic overlook of Kootenay Lake. Head further up the trail to explore an old growth cedar forest and reach Fishhook Lake.

Summary
Trailhead: Highway 31
Distance, round trip: 8.8km
Elevation: +700m
Season: late May to late October
Difficulty: Difficult
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Sentinel Stomp

The trail up Mount Sentinel is a scenic choice for strong hikers. Edging between rock bluffs, ponderosa pine, and wildflowers, the steep trail leads to a series of stunning viewpoints over the Columbia River Valley.

Summary
Trailhead: Terrance Road
Distance, round trip: 9.3km
Elevation: +863m
Difficulty: Difficult
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Mount Roberts

The trail up Mount Roberts starts easy and gets tough. But it also gets incredibly scenic! With big views of the Columbia River Valley and Seven Summits Range, it’s worth the effort to reach the summit and enjoy the panorama from the bench up there.

Summary
Trailhead: Old Rossland Cascade Hwy
Distance, round trip: 7.64km
Elevation: +895m
Season: early June to late October
Difficulty:  Difficult

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Mount Jardine

Mount Jardine is spectacular hike which follows a historic mining trail to a high alpine ridge. The summit offers wide views of the Valley of the Ghosts where old mining towns have faded back into the forest.

Summary
Trailhead: Rossiter FSR
Distance, round trip: 13.2km
Elevation: +1245m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

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