Category: hiking

Meadow Mountain Cabin

The Meadow Mountain Cabin is managed under partnership agreement by the Nelson Sno-Goers and bookings can be made by going to http://nelsonsno-goers.webs.com/apps/links/ There is a $10 fee per person for overnight use of the cabin. Popular in the spring as a snowmobiling destination. Restrictions apply on snowmobiling in this area as there is a catskiing operation in the vicinity. More Information.

Also great summer hiking opportunities in the area with incredible views of the MtCooperGoat Range. Paragliding from Meadow Mountain and top-landing in spring and summer incredible as well

Driving Directions:From the community of Meadow Creek, take the Meadow Creek road north for 3.1 km until you reach a fork in the road. Take the right fork onto the Meadow Mountain Forest Service Road, cross a bridge and keep to the left at all intersections until you reach kilometre 9.4. At this point take a right, and then a left at 10.3 km. For the remainder of the drive, keep right at all intersections . It’s a long drive. Meadow Mountain is at 28.1 km and the cabin is at 29.0 km. A high clearance vehicle is necessary , and 4wd is recommended as there are steep rough sections on the road.

 

Cedar Grove Trail

This is one of the few pure stands of old growth Western Red Cedar in the area. The loop trail through these giants is easy enough for toddlers through to “opals” – older people with active lifestyles. The height of these western red cedar trees will have you craning your neck as your eyes follow the massive trunks towards the sky. The understorey is dominated by Lady fern and Devil’s club, so beware if you venture off the trail. This is a pleasant retreat on a hot day. Bring a picnic and enjoy the stillness and quiet of this special place.

Driving Directions:From the junction of Highway 6 and 23 in Nakusp, travel north on Highway 23 for 3 km to the Nakusp Hot Springs turn off. Take the Hot Springs road for 10.8 km. Turn left onto the “Kuskanax Creek Forest Service Road”. Follow this steep, rough, loose surface, high clearance, 2 wheel drive road for 4.2 km. Turn left onto a dirt road, signed “Cedar Grove Trail 0.8 km”. Park at the “Large Western Red Cedar Grove” sign.

Little Wilson Lake

The drive up the Wilson Creek Forest Service Road is very scenic offering views of a cascading water fall at the 28 km marker and opportunities to do a little fly fishing all along Fitzstubbs Creek, which the road parallels. Little Wilson Lake, surrounded by high peaks, is found at the base of 2350 m Mount Ferrie. This pleasant, open, grassy campsite, well off the forest road offers a quiet get away for the avid fisherman. Little Wilson Lake is ideal for small boats and canoes. Hikers will enjoy exploring old roads and trails along the lake shore. The more ambitious hiker can use this campsite as a base for a trip to the Hamling Lakes area. 3 campsites.

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. At 5 km the road forks, stay left. Just before the orange and white 31 km marker look for a 4×4 post on your left, painted brown with white lettering, signed “Little Wilson Lake”. Turn left here, onto a rough 2 wheel drive dirt road. Follow this road for 800 meters to the campsite.

( source: rec sites and trails )

Mary Simpson Cabin ( Retallack-Reco Basin )

At Retallack follow Stinson Creek FSR ( past the Retallack Catskiing lodge ) up following the left side of the creek until the road crosses the bridge and then take the left fork, continue for another kilometer or so and the cabin is right there. There is some mountain bike activity around the area now so watch for traffic from mountain bikers in the summer and snowcat skiers in the winter. Check in with the Slocan Valley Snowmobile Association and Retallack lodge for activity and closures. Overnight stays must be booked.

The area is popular with ATV’s in the summer doing the Robb Creek Trail, McGuilvary Creek and the trail over the pass into Sandon/Cody.

Retallack Lodge does helicopter and van/truck shuttles on the mountain bike trails in the area.

There are some great summer hiking opportunities from here including the summit of Mt Reco – 2 hours, Texas Peak – 2-3 hours, spectacular ridge systems with incredible views of the Goat Range, Silver Ridge and Kokanee.  More photos

In the winter very busy with snowcat skiing.

Octopus Creek Rec Site

Octopus Creek flows into Lower Arrow Lake. The recreation site is located at the mouth of the creek in a crescent bay. Boaters find it a safe retreat for waiting out storms and sudden winds. During low water, there is an expansive sand and cobble stone beach. Kids can spend endless hours here playing in the water, and moving sand and rocks around. The water warms up later in the summer and is quite pleasant for swimming and board sailing. Arrow Lake is known for Kokanee fishing. However, if the fish are not biting, there is still lots to do at Octopus Creek. Hikers can hike up the creek searching for the natural hot springs. At low water there is miles of beach to walk.

Driving Directions:Due to private land issues this site has been changed to BOAT ACCESS ONLY

Retallack Cedars Trail

This is a short loop trail through a cedar-spruce ecosystem. An interpretive sign which describes the vegetation and wildlife along the trail is located near the start of the trail. This trail is actively used by bears; large hollow cedar trees have provided den locations in the past. Please stay on developed trails and treat the area with care. Trail may be closed seasonally due to Black Bear activity. Great one for kids. 15-30 minutes.

Driving Directions: Head west from kaslo on highway #31A for 28.6 km (measured from downtown Kaslo) to the old settlement of Retallack. On the west side of the settlement, turn left onto a dirt road and immediately cross over a bridge.  The trail starts on the right hand side of the road immediately after the bridge.

( source: rec sites and trails )

Road is also marked with a Big R sign for Retallack catskiing lodge.