Category: Rossland

Grassy Mountain Hut

Grassy Hut lies in the middle of the horseshoe just below the pass between Grassy and south Grassy Mountains. The cabin was built by the KMC in 1985, has four bunks (no foam mattresses), a bench table and seating, and a wood stove. Basic cooking utensils (pots, pans, cups, bowls, plates, cutlery, etc.) are stored in a plastic bin. There is also a two burner white gas Coleman Stove and Coleman Lantern (take spare mantels). You will need to bring your own white gas for the stove and lantern. There is NO water at the Grassy Cabin in either summer or winter. A two hectare area around the cabin is designated for non-motorized use only.The cabin is maintained under partnership agreement with Kootenay Mountaineering Club. For detailed information and driving directions please visit: http://www.kootenaymountaineering.bc.ca/grassy.html

Driving Directions: Access in summer and winter is via logging roads out of Bombi Summit. Follow the following driving directions for summer access. Set your odometer to 0 on Highway 3 at Bombi Summit. 0 km = Munson Road and Highway 3, 2.6 km = power line spur to (R), 3.7 km = Lower Munson to (L), stay (R), 3.9 km = West Munson to (L), stay (R), 5.4 km = East Munson to (R), stay (L) 6.3 km = spur to R, stay on mainline, 6.4 km = spur to (R) is Grassy access. Drive a short distance up this road (about 100 metres) and then park. If you have a two wheel drive vehicle, you will have to park off the main road and walk from there. On foot, follow the old road that leads up to the ridge south of Grassy Mountain. Hike downhill (sketchy trail) to find the cabin. Allow one to three hours hiking time. In winter, follow the same directions but ski directly from the highway. Allow four to six hours.

BlackJack Cross Country Ski Club

Black Jack is considered one of the premier cross-country ski facilities in western Canada due to the excellent grooming, variety of trails, abundant reliable snowfall, and convenience of our proximity to Rossland. Blackjack offers Approx 40km of expertly groomed trails for both classic skiing and skate skiing, 2.5km lit night-skiing loop, A terrain park for kids, A large trailhead cabin, Two trailside warming cabins, A doggy loop , A biathlon range, and Beautiful trails and beautiful views. The ski season usually starts in late November and goes well into April. Visit www.skiblackjack.ca for full details on fees.

Driving Directions: From Rossland , take highway 3B North towards Red Mountain. 500m past Red Mountain, turn right on Mann Road and follow the signs for less than 1km to trailhead chalet and parking lot.

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