Posted on 12 Comments

Lost Mountain

Welcome to the West Kootenay’s latest and greatest hike! The Lost Mountain trail offers  highway access and a steady workout. Most of this hike is done in the forest, but the final ridge and summit are worth the effort!

Summary
Trailhead: Highway 3 (Crowsnest), Kootenay Pass
Distance, round trip: 10.6km
Elevation: +1109m
Season: mid-June to early October
Difficulty:  Difficult

Continue reading Lost Mountain

Posted on 4 Comments

Ymir Mountain via Ymir Bowl

To view this content, you must be a member of West Kootenay Hikings Patreon at $10 or more
Already a qualifying Patreon member? Refresh to access this content.
Posted on 20 Comments

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)

Continue reading Lyle Lakes & Mount Brennan

Posted on 7 Comments

Mount Crawford & Plaid Lake Trail

Shimmering with colourful quartzite, Mount Crawford dazzles hikers along the Plaid Lake Trail. With scenic alpine ridges, flowering meadows, a quick summit, and the eventual dip down to Plaid Lake, this is an amazing trail with something for everyone!

Summary
Trailhead: Plaid Lake Road
Distance, round trip: 9.7km
Elevation: +890m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

Continue reading Mount Crawford & Plaid Lake Trail

Posted on 4 Comments

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)

Continue reading Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike and Monk Peak

Posted on 5 Comments

Whitewater Canyon

Local wisdom has it that Whitewater Canyon is the prime location for grizzly bear viewing across the valley slopes. We saw no bears. Regardless, Whitewater is a wonderful and challenging hike that brings you along the canyon edge to a high alpine pass surrounded by peaks and tarns.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 12.8km to Whitewater Pass, 14.4km to Whitewater Tarn
Elevation: +670m to Whitewater Pass, +820m to Whitewater Tarn
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

Continue reading Whitewater Canyon

Posted on 2 Comments

Wakefield Trail – Idaho Peak

Do you think driving to the top of mountains is overrated? Do you really want to earn it? The Wakefield Trail gets you up to Idaho Peak using your own two feet. It’s a hard, steady climb that traces old mining routes to the top of Silver Ridge.

Summary
Trailhead: Silverton Creek FSR,
Distance, round trip: 14.2km
Elevation: +1000m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

Continue reading Wakefield Trail – Idaho Peak

Posted on 7 Comments

Gimli Ridge

Mt. Gimli is a striking pillar of rock, towering high in the Valhalla range. This hike is tough, but rewarding. The trail leads up to the base of Gimli where it wraps around to a final ledge. Here, hikers can look down into the Mulvey Basin lakes, or just spin and spin and take in the panoramas of jagged peaks and sky.

Summary
Trailhead: Bannock Burn Road
Distance, round trip: 10.3km
Elevation: +909m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

Continue reading Gimli Ridge

Posted on 29 Comments

Gwillim Lakes/Drinnon Pass

Turquoise lakes, mirrored pools, and circles of peaks all around! The hike to Gwillim Lakes goes from ‘impressive’ to ‘fantastically incredible’ and doesn’t stop there! This is one of the region’s best hikes and a worthwhile backpacking destination for a weekend in alpine paradise.

Summary
Trailhead: Hodor Creek Road
Distance, round trip: 12km
Elevation: +894m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult
Continue reading Gwillim Lakes/Drinnon Pass

Posted on 2 Comments

Old Glory Mountain

You won’t be disappointed standing atop the highest peak in the Rossland Range. At 2377m, Old Glory towers above the visible world and offers spectacular views of the nearby Monashee mountains. Most of this hike is done up high, along alpine meadows and ridge lines, so your trek will be bordered by wildflowers and the hazy blue of distant horizons.

Summary
Trailhead: Highway 3B
Distance, round trip: 17km
Elevation: +1145m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

Continue reading Old Glory Mountain