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Bannock Point Trails

The trails at Bannock Point lead to scenic bluffs overlooking Slocan Lake. You can stay the night at the backcountry campground or just wander the awesome upper trail with mossy forest and wide viewpoints.

Summary
Trailhead: Highway 6
Distance, round trip: 5.36km
Elevation: +208m
Season: early April to early November
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Smuggler’s Ridge & The Pyramid

If you’re staying in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Smuggler’s Ridge is a short day hike that wanders high above the park to look down on the glacier and surrounding landmarks.

Summary
Trailhead: Kokanee Glacier FSR
Distance, round trip: 6.46km
Elevation: +601m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Monica Meadows

A panoramic landscape of meadows and mountains, waterfalls and wildflowers, larches and lakes!  Monica Meadows is an incredibly scenic hike on a high alpine plateau.

Summary
Trailhead: Glacier Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 10km
Elevation: +653m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Ross Lake

Ross Lake is a short hike near Balfour, BC. The trail leads to a quiet sub-alpine lake with fishing and backcountry camping opportunities. It’s a great location for new hikers.

Summary
Trailhead: Redfish Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 3.5km
Elevation: +238m
Season: late June to early October
Difficulty: Moderate

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White Queen (via SilverKing Ridge)

White Queen is a scenic off-trail hike just outside of Nelson, BC. Starting at Whitewater Ski Resort, the route crosses familiar ski terrain before ascending to a stunning ridge-line ramble with big views of Ymir Peak and surrounding country. At the summit of White Queen, you can see Kokanee and the Valhallas, and many distant mountains fading to overlapping shades of blue.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Resort, Whitewater Road
Distance, round trip: 9.4km
Elevation: +666m
Season: mid-June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike

Stagleap Provincial Park is renowned for backcountry skiing, but there is also a summer trail that rises along Ripple Ridge. Ridgeline hiking is always a good choice, and this trail doesn’t disappoint with panoramic views of the mountains around Kootenay Pass. Lightning Strike and Ripple Ridge are used interchangeably to refer to this ridgeline which is confusing. The proper Ripple Mountain looms far in the distance and isn’t connected at all to the ridge.

Summary
Trailhead: Bridal Lake, Stagleap Provincial Park
Distance, round trip: 9.4km
Elevation: +393m
Season: early July to early October
Difficulty:   Moderate
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Mt. Giegerich / Sapphire Lakes Loop

Just starting to venture off trail? Mt. Giegerich is a gentle giant with two easy ridge-lines, inviting you to walk on up! This loop follows the official Sapphire Lakes Trail, summits Giegerich, dips down to the Sapphire Lakes, and then returns to Kaslo Lake via the unofficial Commission Creek route. It’s a wonderful circuit for folks staying in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park – offering a day hike that’s moderate yet adventurous.

Summary
Trailhead: Kalso Lake, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Distance, round trip: 8.6km
Elevation: +490m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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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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Skycastle/Lemon Lookout

**2024 : wildfire burned close to the lookout, but it is still standing. **

Skycastle (aka Lemon Lookout) is an old fire tower offering panoramic views of the Valhallas and Slocan Valley. You’ll have to march yourself up a long steep overgrown road, but it’s worth it to get to a special place.

Summary
Trailhead: Ponderosa FSR
Distance, round trip: 10km
Elevation: +750m
Season: mid-June to early October
Difficulty:  Moderate

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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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