Author: kootexp

Mt Brennan – Lyle Ck

Popular in the Summer and Winter for ski touring and heli-skiing.

Summer Full Day: Plan on about 2-3 hours up to the lakes and 5 hrs to summit.

Lyle Creek Trail is a moderate hike to the summit of Mt. Brennan. Small glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls and scenic views are the main attractions of the area. There are also signs of old mining activities in the area. Round trip to Mt. Brennan is 15 KM, Reach the lakes in about half that.

Summer Driving Directions: From the 4 way stop in Kaslo drive highway 3A until you reach approximately 23.3 KM on your odometer and turn north onto Rossiter Creek FSR. Zero Odometer here. Stay on the Rossiter Creek FSR mainline until you reach 2.4 KM and take the left fork. At 7.0 find the trailhead. There are trail markers from the beginning of the Rossiter Creek FSR to the trailhead.

( source: Recreation Sites and Trails BC )

Winter: A very popular ski touring destination. Trail starts at bottom left of photo and traverses into drainage on right to summit on left. Follow directions for summer access and ski tour or snowmobile to start of summer trail and then continue up bench on left which is subject to danger from avalanches sluffing from upper cliffs.  At Lakes climb gully on left which is also subject to avalanche danger from above and then continue traversing right to gain upper bench system. Final short headwall has some more avalanche exposure, get the picture – don’t come here when stability is questionable. Incredible 7,000 ft day with good visibility, often wind affected and typically ascended in the spring.  More photos.

The Ride – S03E02: Giant Peaks, Tiny People from Showtime Films on Vimeo.

New Denver Accommodation Options:

Kaslo Accommodation: 

    New Denver Alpine Hikes: 

    Kaslo Alpine Hikes: 

    Ski Touring around New Denver and Kaslo:

       

      Mt Whitewater canyon trail

      Summer Hike: 1 hour to Whitewater Canyon for bear viewing, another hour to campsites and a further hour to end of Trail at Mine, Moraine and Glacier. 2 hours out from end of trail. Moderate elevation gain.

      Description: This trail provides access to Whitewater Glacier which is surrounded by an open glaciated landscape of small streams and small puddle-like lakes. It is a very scenic area and provides excellent recreational opportunities. Remains from past mining activities, and an old flume used to divert water, are located near the pass. Watch for mountain goats along the ridges, and be alert for grizzly bears feeding on open alpine slopes. Primary activities are hiking, viewing, camping and mountaineering. High grizzly use area, stay alert.

      Driving Directions:Head west from Kaslo on highway #31A for 28.6 km (measured from downtown Kaslo) to the old settlement of Rettallack. Turn right at the old townsite (keeping left for the first 100 m or so) and then turn right again at 0.3 km. Stay on the well-travelled portion of this road for 1.1 km to the Lyle Creek junction. Follow the left fork of the road for 2.2 km to a road on the right and take this for 0.5 km to a small parking area. This last section of the road is very narrow. You may wish to leave your vehicle at the wide area near the last junction. The trail starts 25 m past the parking area up an old road. Suitable for 2wd high clearance vehicles, although 4wd recommended.

      Also somewhat popular in the winter for ski touring, particularly in the early season when the slopes above the summer parking area are great tree skiing. Lots of options for more adventure in the upper basin. Snowmobile to access logging road helpful.

      Accommodation Options:

      More New Denver Alpine Hikes: 

      More Ski Touring in the area:

         

        Kootenay Pass – Cornice Ridge  ( NoName Ridge)

        Location: Kootenay Pass – north
        Time: half-full day
        Difficulty: Moderate
        Distance: 2km
        Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
        Map: 82 F/3 82 F/2

        Start on the Caribou trail above the warming hut and traverse right up the ridge. Skiing back down to the lake from this point is very popular, however typically wind effected. The south-west slopes above are controlled for the highway. On a good day you can see forever from the summit, and runs are typically back down the ridge, or dropping in on the North-east side with traverses back to the ridge and the Pass. Lots more options if you drop North with trips to Wolf Pass. The runs are moderately steep and steeper are require good evaluation techniques.