Posted on Leave a comment

Payne Bluffs (K&S Trail)

Following the old K&S (Kaslo and Sandon) Railway, this trail winds high from Sandon to the bluffs overlooking Three Forks. It visits several mine sites with interpretive signs sharing the region’s history.

Summary
Trailhead: Sandon Road or New Denver Siding Road
Distance, round trip: 13.6 km
Elevation: +200 m
Season: mid-April to late-November
Difficulty:  Easy
Continue reading Payne Bluffs (K&S Trail)
Posted on 1 Comment

Galena Trail

Galena is a natural lead and silver ore—it was the stuff of miner’s wildest dreams back in the days of the “Silvery Slocan.” This is a historic rail trail that was used to bring ore down from the mines at Sandon. Today, the Galena Trail is a pleasant walk in the forest with an exciting cable car crossing.

Summary
Trailhead: Sandon Road or New Denver Siding Road
Distance, round trip: 15.2 km
Elevation: +175 m
Season: mid-April to late-November
Difficulty:  Easy
Continue reading Galena Trail
Posted on Leave a comment

Telegraph Trail

The Telegraph Trail flows through the mossy forest floor and traces an old telegraph line, with the ceramic insulators still fixed to many of the trees. The trail ends with a scenic bench at Wilson Creek.

Summary
Trailhead: West Wilson Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 10.6 km
Elevation: +200 m
Season: mid-April to late-November
Difficulty:  Easy
Continue reading Telegraph Trail
Posted on 2 Comments

Blue Grouse Basin

A magical alpine meadow, surrounded by a cirque of peaks on the edge of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. With opportunity to either picnic or peak-bag, this trail gets you to the alpine and lets you chose your own adventure from there.

Summary
Trailhead:  Enterprise FSR
Distance, round trip: 10.2km
Elevation: +743m
Season: mid July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate
Continue reading Blue Grouse Basin
Posted on 3 Comments

Mount Reco Loop

One of the best ridgeline hikes in the Kootenays! Hiking a loop around Mount Reco will bring you through alpine meadows surrounded by peaks. With the option to bag Reco’s summit, this is a great day in the mountains.

Summary
Trailhead: Stenson Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 9.9km
Elevation: +680m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
This content is available exclusively to members of West Kootenay Hikings Patreon at $10 or more.
Posted on 4 Comments

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a scenic alpine lake, glowing in the ridges below Mount Jardine. It’s a family-friendly hike that highlights the mining history in the area, and strong hikers who are comfortable off-trail can explore the ridges above and beyond.

Summary
Trailhead: Blue Ridge FSR
Distance, round trip: 8.8km
Elevation: +449m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
This content is available exclusively to members of West Kootenay Hikings Patreon at $10 or more.
Posted on 5 Comments

Motherlode Lakes (Carlyle Lodge)

Staying at Carlyle Lodge? Check out the trail to Motherlode Lakes. It’s a scenic hike from the lodge, edging along alpine slopes to arrive at a series of lakes and pools.

Summary
Trailhead: Carlyle Lodge
Distance, round trip: 8.6km
Elevation: +609m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Easy
Continue reading Motherlode Lakes (Carlyle Lodge)
Posted on

Boulder Pass (Carlyle Lodge)

A scenic trek around the Mount Carlyle bowl! The route to Boulder Pass is a great option if you’re staying at Carlyle Lode or want to extend your day hike into Carpenter Pass. The route leads to the southern ridge of Mount Carlyle with views over the edge towards the Purcell Mountains.

Summary
Trailhead: Carlyle Lodge
Distance, round trip: 3.2km
Elevation: +206m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Easy

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
This content is available exclusively to members of West Kootenay Hikings Patreon at $10 or more.
Posted on 10 Comments

Carpenter Pass Trail

The Carpenter Pass Trail offers a scenic loop to a high mountain pass, full of history and surrounded by epic views. It’s a worthwhile day hike, but even better if you can spend a few nights at Mount Carlyle Lodge to explore the alpine wonderland beyond the pass.

Summary
Trailhead: Carpenter Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 14.2km
Elevation: +653m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate
Continue reading Carpenter Pass Trail
Posted on 2 Comments

Texas-Reco Ridge

An amazing ridge-line adventure, full of mining history and mountain tops! The Texas-Reco ridge is strung between peaks with wide views all around. Come in late July for the wildflowers!

Summary
Trailhead: Stenson Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 10.4km
Elevation: +779m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
This content is available exclusively to members of West Kootenay Hikings Patreon at $10 or more.