Category: Off Trail/Scramble

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Red Mountain (Bonningtons)

“Red Mountain” seems to be a pretty common name in the Koots. There’s a few of them! But this one is the neighbour of Toad Mountain in the Bonnington Range above Nelson. It has the characteristic red rock, but also offers great hiking off the beaten path.

Summary
Trailhead: Giveout Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 9.2km
Elevation: +491m
Season: early July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate

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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
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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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Record Ridge

Welcome to the scenic, southern end of the Seven Summits Trail. Record Ridge makes a great out-and-back to explore the high grasslands.

Summary
Trailhead:  Old Rossland Cascade Highway
Distance, round trip: 10.2km
Elevation: +350m
Season: late May to late October
Difficulty: Moderate
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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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Thanksgiving Mountain

Driving over Grey Creek Pass? Want to bag a peak? The summit on the North side of the pass is easily gained by following a short trail along the ridge and then picking your way to the top. Nicknamed “Thanksgiving Mountain” by locals who hike it on the holiday, this summit offers a wide panorama of Kootenay Lake and the Purcells.

Summary
Trailhead: Grey Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 3.4km
Elevation: +303m
Season: early July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate 
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Twin Peaks

A short meadowy ridge in the Bonnington Range. Twin Peaks is a scenic off-trail adventure for hikers who are prepared to navigate and route-find.

Summary
Trailhead: Munson FSR
Distance, round trip: 4.6km
Elevation: +333m
Season: late June to early October
Difficulty: Easy 
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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
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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
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Earl Grey Pass

A challenging wilderness trail across the Purcell mountain range. The Earl Grey Pass trail is a historic route featuring glaciers, waterfalls, cable cars, and massive old growth cedars. This epic trek is not for the faint of heart – with rough and hazardous terrain, you need to be a tough backpacker, ready for the kind of suffering that comes with a big adventure.

Summary
Trailheads: Toby Creek FSR (Invermere) and Argenta Road (Argenta)
Distance, one way: 70.4km
Elevation: +1896m (East to West) or +2331 (West to East)
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Challenging
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