1. BC Ministry of Forests
The climber should realize that the Columbia Mountains (Interior Ranges) of B. C. is a region of heavy rainfall and high growth rate of slide alder, devil’s club and other undergrowth which make access to valleys very difficult. No publication, including this book, can be up to date in this region because trails, if not maintained, can be overgrown in two to three years and roads are prone to earth slides, rockfalls, tree falls, washouts and bridge destruction. New roads are being created. For this reason, it is wise to consult the B. C. Ministry of Forests before attempting access.
The B. C. Ministry of Forests divides its domain into Regions, each of which is composed of several Districts. Each District is concerned with information, such as roads and access, only in its own area, so one must write or phone to the appropriate District (or Regional Office).
Ministry of Forests Regional and District Offices
Nelson Forest Region
(250) 354-6200
518 Lake St
Nelson, BC V1L4C6
Kootenay Lake Forest District
(250) 825-1100
1907 Ridgewood Road, RR1
Nelson, BC V1L5P4
Arrow Forest District
(250) 365-8600
845nColumbia Ave
Castlegar, BC V1N1H3
Columbia Forest District Okanagan Shuswap Forest Dist.
1761 Big Eddy Road 2501 – 14th Avenue
Revelstoke, B. C. V0E 3K0 Vernon, B. C. V1T 8Z1
(250) 837-7611 (250) 558-1700 (west side of river)
McBride Field Office Headwaters District
300 Robson Centre 687; Yellowhead S. Highway 5
McBride, B.C. V0J 2E0; Clearwater, B. C. V0E 1N0
(250) 569-3760 (250) 587-6700
It is advantageous to register for climbing in one of these offices to increase the margin of safety, but this in not required. If you register, be sure to report back to the office at the close of a successful trip to avoid unnecessary rescue efforts.
The B. C. Ministry of Forests brochures carry trail, road and campsite information and are available at the Ministry of Forests offices.
BC Parks
(250) 825-3500
www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
4750 Hwy 3A, 19km NE of Nelson
Mail: RR3, S8, C5, Nelson, BC V1L5P6
Kootenay Mountaineering Club
www.kootenaymountaineeringclub.ca. Visit the trip schedule. Visitors welcome but must plan as hikes fill up and usually have set limits on numbers. Email the leader of the trip and introduce yourself. Over the course of a year, there are few summits in the West Kootenay that are not covered.
Environment Canada
(250) 352-1858
www.weatheroffice/free/regions/bc
Valhalla Society
(250) 358-2333
Box 329, 307 6th Ave
New Denver, BC V0G1S0
Government Agents
312 4th St, Kaslo V0G1M0
619 Broadway W, Nakusp V0G1R0
310 Ward St, Nelson V1L5S4
Golden
Weather 250-344-5665
BC Forest Service 250-344-7500; 600 North 9th St.
RCMP 250-344-2221
Ambulance 250-344-6226
Hospital 250-344-5271; 835 S 9th Ave.
Tourist Info 1-800-622-GOLD
Map of Golden: www.rockies.net/columbia-valley/town_map.htm
Revelstoke
Weather 250-837-4164
BC Forest Service 250-837-7611; 1761 Big Eddy Rd.
Ambulance 250-837-5885
RCMP 250-837-5255
Tourist Info 250-837-5345; 300 1st St W
IDAHO CONTACT INFORMATION
Bitterroot National Forest (Bitterroot Mountains, Clearwater Mountains)
316 North Third St, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-3131
Idaho Department of Lands (Selkirk Mountains)
Route 1 Box 284, Coolin, ID 83821 (208) 443-2516
Panhandle National Forest (Bitterroots, Cabinet, Chilco,, Coeur d’Alene, Purcell, Saint Joe, and Selkirk Mountains)
PO Box 310, Coeur D’Alene, ID 83544 (208) 667-2561
Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor’s Office
3815 Schreiber Way
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
(208) 765-7223
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Priest Lake Ranger District
32203 Highway 57
Priest River, ID 83856
(208) 443-2512
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Bonners Ferry Ranger District
6286 Main Street
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
(208) 267-5561
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Sandpoint Ranger District
1602 Ontario St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 263-5111