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Mount Beattie

Sometimes you just need a moderate hike with a moderate view. Mount Beattie is like that. It’s a forested ridge line, tucked away in the Whitewater backcountry. Beattie’s treed summits are uneventful, but sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. And a day out in the mountains is never a day wasted.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 11.2km
Elevation: +499m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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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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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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Summit Trail – Whitewater Ski Resort

Yes, you can hike ALL OF THE SUMMITS! Or at least as many as you want. This new trail zig zags up Whitewater Ski Resort to access several peaks on the “summit side” of the hill.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 9.5km (to Hummingbird Peak)
Elevation: +521m (to Hummingbird Peak)
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Toad Mountain via Giveout Creek

Hiking Toad Mountain via Giveout Creek FSR leads you along a forested trail to access the summit from the northern ridge. The ridge line ascent is a little less scenic than the original trail from the Silverking mine, but much easier for hikers and vehicles alike! The summit of Toad offers epic views of the Nelson and surrounding peaks!

Summary
Trailhead: Giveout Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 6.7km
Elevation: +370m
Season: early July to late September
Difficulty:  Easy

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White Queen West Ridge Trail

A beautiful hiking trail up to White Queen’s Summit! Follow a historic mining road through Hummingbird Pass to access the “Bird Queen Trail” which traces the ridge line to the summit. Beautiful views of Ymir Peak and the surrounding mountains can be found along the way, but be sure to come in the fall for the golden larches at the top!

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 10.2km
Elevation: +691m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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White Queen West Ridge Trail

A beautiful hiking trail up to White Queen’s Summit! Follow a historic mining road through Hummingbird Pass to access the “Bird Queen Trail” which traces the ridge line to the summit. Beautiful views of Ymir Peak and the surrounding mountains can be found along the way, but be sure to come in the fall for the golden larches at the top!

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 10.2km
Elevation: +691m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Woodbury Cabin

A scenic trail that contours through open slopes full of flowers and huckleberries, edging towards stunning Glacier View Peak and the Woodbury Glacier. This trail is well worth the trip if you book a night at Woodbury Cabin.

Summary
Trailhead: Woodbury-Fletcher FSR
Distance, round trip: 16.7km
Elevation: +868m
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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