kootexp, Author at Kootenay Experience

Sunshine Bay Recreation Site

Sunshine Bay has a long history. Two kukuli across the road from the recreation site attest to occupation by First Nations people long before recorded history. The remains of a log cabin on the site is of more recent vintage. Sunshine Bay offers a crescent shaped, south facing beach and protected campsites under a pine stand. Nearby, the mouth of Sunshine Creek promises good fishing. The road past Sunshine Bay offers good hiking. When the water in the Lower Arrow Lake is down, beach combing is a relaxing past time. It is difficult to get a boat down to the water at Sunshine Bay, as the bank drops off abruptly. A flight of stairs goes from the campsite to the beach. A canoe, kayak or inflatable zodiac would be your best bet. The closest good boat launch is at the Renata turn-off, at 18.7 km.

Driving Directions:Just before the yellow gates in Syringa Creek Provincial Park, turn right onto the “Deer Park Forest Service Road”. Follow this narrow, good 2 wheel drive gravel road to the community of Deer Park. In Deer Park, turn right. There is a small “Renata” sign, pointing the way. Within a half kilometre, the road forks. Take the upper fork to the right, continuing along this road. At 18.7 km the road forks again. Left takes you to the lake shore, and the boat launch to Renata. Go right to continue on to Sunshine Bay. From here the road deteriorates, and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. At 25 km you pass through the old fruit growing community of Broadwater. At the junction in Broadwater, take the right fork onto the “Sunshine Creek Forest Service Road”. Continue along this road, staying right at the fork just before the 31 km sign, and passing over the Two Bit Creek bridge. The last 3 km descend steeply to Sunshine Bay Recreation Site at 34 km.

Old Glory Lookout

The Old Glory Trail is a ridge-hikers delight. The trail provides access to many kilometres of open easy ridge hiking with great views. The first section of this trail is a gentle grade that leads through a stand of large cedar and hemlock on the south side of Hanna Creek drainage and then enters an old cutblock. As the trail nears the end of the cutblock at 1.2 km the grade steepens and at times may be overgrown with alder. Hikers would be well advised to bring raingear for this section if it is wet. At 3.2 km the trail reaches a low saddle on the ridge that is called “Unnecessary Ridge” by locals. From here there are several unmanaged trails that join the main trail. Old Glory trail lies to the right, and is marked with a small sign. Turning up the ridge, the grade becomes gentler and the sub-alpine forest opens up to allow glimpse views to both sides of the ridge. The trail continues at a moderate to gentle grade, winding its way up the ridge and starting into an old burn at 4.5 km. At 6.5 km the trail reaches a junction with Plewman Trail. From here Old Glory Peak is 2.0 km. From here the trail user has the option of following Plewman Trail down the other side of the Hanna Creek drainage to the trailhead (4.5 km), or continuing on to Old Glory. The Forest Service fire lookout building perches at the very peak at an elevation 2376 m / 7795 ft. From this lofty perch 360 degree views of the surrounding areas reveal Goat Mountain and Big Sheep Creek drainage to the west, Mt. Plewman and Highway 3 to the north and east, the view back down Unnecessary Ridge, Mt. Kirkup, Grey Mountain and Granite Mountain to the east, and Esling Creek drainage to the south.

Driving Directions: From the Museum in Rossland follow the highway north for 10 km to the trailhead on the west (left) side of the highway. The trailhead can be hard to find. Look for a 4 x 4 sign post and a small grassy parking area. There is room for 2-3 vehicles at the trailhead itself, and more parking space across the highway.

( source: rec sites and trails ) – FRIENDS OF THE ROSSLAND RANGE

Wilson Creek Falls

A steep hike down to a cool, mossy waterfall. Wilson Creek Falls is considered one of the most spectacular waterfalls in British Columbia, plunging 207 feet. The hike is 2.2 km round trip. Trail is fairly flat for first 500 m and then drops down to the base of the falls. Plan on about 3-4 hours return trip from highway turn-off.

Directions: Head 5.3 km north of New Denver on Highway 6. Turn east ( right ) on East Wilson Creek FSR 11.5 km ( rough gravel road ) and then turn right just before bridge over Wilson Creek at turnoff signed for Wilson Creek Falls. A 4X4 road climbs 1km to trailhead or high clearance 2wd in 2015.

Ripple Ridge Cabin

Very popular as a ski touring destination. Typically about one hour ski tour to the cabin with no avalanche danger. There are a few tours accessible from the cabin including Baldy Rocks, Lightening Strike and Ripple Peak/Twin Lakes and lots of yo-yo skiing in moderate terrain.

Site Description: The Ripple Ridge Cabin can be booked by going to www.rippleridge.ca There is a $10 fee per person for overnight use of the cabin. The cabin contains a wood stove, tables and benches, and a sleeping loft. It can sleep 6 comfortably, and 10 in a squeeze. Please note that no motorized vehicles are allowed on this road in the winter. A picnic table and fire ring were added in October 2010.

Driving Directions: From Salmo take Highways #6 and #3 southeast for 37 km to Stayleep pass at Bridal Lake. Park in the plowed area on the left side of the highway. From the junction of Highways #3 and #3A north of Creston take highway #3 northwest for 42.5 km to the pass at Bridal Lake. Park in the plowed area on the north side of the highway. From the parking area, cross the highway towards the south. The gravel road accessing the cabin begins immediately to the right of the Highway’s maintenance yard. Take this road 3.2 km to the top of the ridge where it levels off and before it drops into the next valley. Look for the trail into the cabins on the right at this point. The old cabin lies about 200 metres from the access road, and the new cabin about 100 metres further. high clearance 2WD required.

Winter Access: Park in the parking lots on the north side of the highway and cross the highway on the west side of the parking lot to access the summer road. Follow the trail up until it levels off and before it drops into the next valley. Look for the trail into the cabin on the right at this point.

MacBeth Icefield

This is a trail providing access to an alpine plateau with spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. The sensitive alpine plateau is intended for day-use only. Primitive campsites are provided at the end of the trail below the plateau. This area provides good hiking , camping, excellent viewing, and nature study opportunities.

Driving Directions: From Cooper Creek, head north on the Duncan River forest service road for 10.0 km to the Glacier Creek road. Follow the main Glacier Creek road for 37.4 km(keep right at the 23.4 km junction) to a fork in the road. Take this left fork for 5.5 km (keeping right at the 1.7 km junction). The trailhead is on the left. The roads are suitable for 2wd high clearance vehicles.

( source: rec sites and trails )

Monica Meadows

K&S Railway ( Sandon )

Site Description:The K & S Railway Trail can be done in many ways. No matter how you do it, be sure to give yourself time to poke around the old mine sites, admire the rock work and pause to take in the views. From Sandon to Payne Bluff is an easy stroll. To make it easier, drive the first 2.3 km and then it is only 3.8 km to Payne Bluff. If you have a way back from Three Forks, you can take the old pack trail, down to the highway from Payne Siding. If you want a bit of a workout, start at Three Forks. The first section of trail takes you to the old CPR grade. Follow this for 300 metres, then look for a sign that directs you to the left and up, onto the old pack trail. After a steep 1.4 km you are at Payne Siding. Turn left to Payne Bluff, which is 300 metres along the railway grade. Biking? The first 2.5 km from Sandon is a pleasant family bike ride. After this, the trail becomes single track and somewhat technical.

Driving Directions:Access to the Sandon end of the K & S: At the junction of Hwy 6 and 31A in New Denver, turn east onto Hwy 31A. Proceed for 8.3 km to the turn off to Sandon. This junction is known as Three Forks. Proceed 5.5 km to Sandon. Rather than going over the bridge, continue straight ahead on Reco Street for 500 metres to the “K & S Historic Railway Trail” interpretive sign and trail head. If you would like an easy family bike route, the next 2.3 km along the railway grade to the Altoona Mine, has a gentle grade and is wide. This section of the trail is also suitable for 2 wheel drive vehicles or a pleasant walk. Access from Three Forks to the K S: At the junction of Hwy 6 and 31A in New Denver, turn east onto Hwy 31A. Proceed for 8.3 km to the turn off to Sandon. Park at the trail head sign on Hwy 31A, 100 metres north of this junction.

( rec sites and trails ) NORTH SLOCAN TRAILS SOCIETY

SilverCup Ridge Trail

There are three different access routes to the Silvercup ridge, choose the one you are interested in. Via American Creek Road: From the boulder barricade to the ridge, the trail follows the road through subalpine and alpine terrain. Panoramic views into the Lardeau Range and Goat Range and an abundance of wild flowers enhance the walk up to the ridge. Upon cresting the ridge, there is an intriguing view into Healy Creek and across to Mt. Aldridge and Razors Edge. The Silvercup Trail offers a superb opportunity to enjoy an extended ridge walk through alpine and subalpine terrain. If the entire ridge is walked, it is 25 km from the trail head on American Creek road to the trail head on Dirt Road. There is not a continuous trail along the ridge, it is a combination of clearly defined trail and cairned route. Good footgear, map reading and navigation skills are required. Travelling the ridge in poor weather is not recommended. Via Copper Queen Road: The Copper Queen Road offers road access onto one of the most beautiful ridges in the Arrow and Kootenay Lake Forest Districts. Upon reaching the ridge one has a choice of either following the trail northwest along the ridge to the Dirt Road trail head, or heading southeast to the trail head on American Creek. If you are using the road, it peters out near the timberline on the Dirt Road trail and is blocked by boulders on the American Creek Road. Via the Dirt Road: The first 0.5 km of the trail may be difficult to follow, as it cuts up and back across a harvested area. Silvercup Ridge offers a superb opportunity to enjoy an extended ridge walk through alpine and subalpine terrain. Views into the Badshot Range and across to the Lardeau Range are spectacular. Visitors to this area will wish they had more time to go over the “next ridge” as there are many opportunities for side trips all along Silvercup Ridge.

Driving Directions:Access to American Creek Road : From the bridge over the Lardeau River at Gerrard, proceed north on Hwy #31 for 0.4 km to an unsigned road. Proceed for 4.1 km on this unsigned road to a junction on a curve. Stay straight ahead at this junction, following an older, brushed in road. At km 6.9 take the switch back to the left and up. This section of the road has steep sections with windfalls and is eroding in places. From 8.7 km, to the trail head at 11.9 km, you will require a 4×4 vehicle, or you can shoulder your pack and walk up the road. At 11.9 km, boulders block the road to all vehicular traffic. There is a parking area for about 3 vehicles, with room to turn around. Access to Copper Queen Road: From the bridge over the Lardeau River at Gerrard, proceed north on Hwy #31 for 17.9 km to an unsigned road. Turn right and proceed up this road for 6.2 km. Then, take a small, older road that turns back and up to the right. Follow this old road for 1.9 km to a fork in the road. Take the left fork and continue 0.5 km up to the timberline. From here you will need a 4×4 to go the last 0.7 km to the mining road that runs along the ridge. Although it is possible to drive almost the entire length of Silvercup Ridge on this mining road, please, refrain from leaving the road as the alpine and subalpine meadows are very fragile. The original old trail can be accessed by foot from many places along the mining road. One of the best places is just where the Copper Queen Road meets the road along the ridge. From here the trail is just above the mining road. Access to Dirt Road: From the gas station on Hwy #31 in Trout Lake, proceed south on Hwy #31 for 8.3 km to an unsigned road. Turn back and up onto this road. A high clearance vehicle will be required to negotiate the water bars. Follow this road (driveable for 1.8 km) for 3.2 km to the trail head. The trail head may be hidden by alders. Keep a sharp eye open for a 4×4 brown post with white letters on the uphill side of the road.

( rec sites and trails )

Wragge Beach

Popular Drive to Campsite on Slocan Lake

Wragge Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on Slocan Lake. The spacious campsites along the lake shore are shaded by trees. A wide beach curves gently for several hundred meters in both directions, inviting beach walking. A rocky outcrop extends out into the lake, making a scenic shoreline. This site is a popular destination campsite for vacationing families. The lake offers good fishing, boating, swimming and board sailing. The wide sandy beach, sloping gently down to the water, is safe for youngsters and provides a perfect volleyball court or frisbee field. If one tires of lazy beach days, a hike into Shannon Lake or Wragge Lake should satisfy the urge to stretch the legs.

Driving Directions:From the junction of Highway 6 and 31A in New Denver, travel north on Highway 6 for 15.2 km to Hills. Turn left onto “Bonanza Road”. Follow the asphalt over the bridge, onto gravel at the beginning of the “Shannon Creek Forest Service Road”. Turn right onto this road, and zero your odometer here. Follow the main line for 2.9 KM and go left here at the fork, turning onto Wragge Creek Road. At 4.2 KM on the odometer, go left at the junction. At 5.4 on the odometer, go left at the junction. At 7.5 KM proceed straight on the main line. At 9.4 KM find Wragge Beach. (note your vehicle odometer reading will not be the same as the Forest Service Road KM markings)

Dennis Ck

Trail 1-1.5 hr up to the Pass into Dennis Ck. Allow plenty of time to further explore ridges and flowers. Very much like a trip to Idaho Peak with more flowers, less people, more wilderness.

The trail to Dennis Basin begins where the 4X4 road ends. It is a steady climb with lots of excuses to stop and admire the views and the flowers. Climbing up a skid trail through an old cut block rampant with flowers, the trail soon narrows as it enters a sub-alpine forest. It continues to climb, following a small stream, emerging from the forest into a basin below the pass where frequent bear diggings warn you to be alert. You will see your destination, a low pass, up and to the left. Follow the stream to the base of the talus slope. The trail is to the left. Cairns mark the route. Early in the season, the trail may be snow covered requiring some route finding skills. As you climb steadily upward, the views unfold, and the sight of the pass ahead urges you on. The pass, which an hour and a half ago was your objective, now is a minor victory as your eyes take in the panoramic view. This is a good place to stop and have a bit of lunch while you decide which ridge to walk … which flowered slopes to explore. One of the best flower shows is usually to your left, on the ridge between Marten and Dennis Creek. From this ridge, one has spectacular views of Mt. Dolly Varden, Marten Mountain, Inverness Mountain, Mt. Dryden, Whitewater Mountain, London Ridge, Kokanee Glacier and the New Denver Glacier. A perfect place to sit and plan your next hike.

Driving Directions:Turn off Highway 6, at Rosebery, onto the “East Wilson Creek Road”. This road soon turns into the “Wilson Creek Forest Service Road”. Follow this good, 2 wheel drive, gravel road for 2.6 km. Turn right onto the “Hicks Creek Road”. From here on the road steepens and gets rougher. A high clearance vehicle with good tires is advised. 2.7 km up the “Hicks Creek Road” there is a fork in the road, stay left. The road continues to climb steadily for another 7.6 km. Look for a 4×4 post on your right, painted brown with white lettering, signed “Dennis Creek Trail 1 km “. This last bit of road is steep and rough, climbing 122 m (400 feet) in 1 kilometre. It is best suited to a 4 wheel drive, so you may want to leave your vehicle at the beginning of this last kilometre of road. Another 4×4 post, signed “Dennis Creek Trail” marks the trail head.