On the shores of Lower Arrow Lake, this park has a large campground on the lake and a great network of trails north across the road. In the summer, these south facing slopes are hot, but in fall and early spring, the snow disappears early here and they are great shoulder season hikes. These easy trails are suitable for all hikers.
Warning: ticks are common here especially in the spring. Give yourself a good checking over when you get home.
Difficulty: Easy A1
Elevation gained: 88m (290 ft.)
Key Elevations: TH 427m (1400’), trail intersection 497m (1630’), eastern viewpoint 518m (1690’), western viewpoint 515m (1690’).
Distance: 6kms (3.7 mi) plus
Time: 2-6 hours
Season: Hot in the summer (do early or late in the day). Best March – May and mid-September to November.
Map: 82F/5 Castlegar
Drive: From Nelson, drive Hwy 3A west to Castlegar and just before the bridge across the Kootenay River, take the exit right towards Robson and Syriinga Creek PP. Zero odometer.
From Castlegar. Drive north on Hwy 3A 1.6 km to the north side of the Kootenay River bridge and turn left (west) toward Robson and Syringa Creek PP. Zero odometer.
OR Go through downtown Castlegar and cross the Columbia River to join the above route in Robson.
0.0km Start west toward Robson.
2.7km. Bear left where Pass Creek forks right.
3.3km. Turn right onto Broadwater Rd and proceed toward Robson. Left goes to the major bridge across the Columbia.
11.8km. Pass Hugh Keenleyside Dam
19.5km. Pass the east trailhead on the right. It’s just beyond the yellow gate at the beach parking area on the left.
20.8km. Bear left on pavement where the unpaved Deer Park FS road ascends right. There’s a pullout just beyond, on the left (elevation 427m). Park here if there is room or past the gatehouse, the RV sani-station and the campground entrance to the large, paved, day-use parking lot at the road’s end.
Another great place to park is at the Syringa boat launch before the park. Walk the beach to the east TH then return via the beach. Makes for a slightly longer day. There are interesting old remnants of the original road here at low water levels.
Trail: You can start hiking in 3 places. The east TH is near the yellow-gated beach parking area, just inside Syringa Park’s east boundary. The middle TH is on Deer Park FS road, above the pullout and gatehouse. The west TH is at the large, paved day-use parking area at the road’s end. From each TH, a trail ascends generally north. The two end trails curve, traverse the slope and intersect at the top of the middle trail. You can start at any to walk loops of 3 lengths.
Syringa Trail. Starts at the east TH across from the yellow-gated beach parking area and goes 3.3 km to the intersection of the middle trail. It stays higher longer and affords more views.
Syringa Creek Canyon Viewpoint (and above). From the Syringa Trail, turn uphill at a marked junction. Ascend NE initially on smooth, solid rock, then on steep, loose rock, to a viewpoint on the edge of the canyon.
Viewpoint above Canyon Overlook. Continue climbing from here on a rough beaten route to a semi-open bluff at 655m (2150’).
West Viewpoint. This forks close to the 3-trail junction up from the main trail. Switchback .5km to an overlook at 515m (1690’) on a slabby bluff with ponderosa pines. There are great views up Lower Arrow Lake.
Middle Trail. Initially ascend cement steps from Deer Park FS road. Enter the forest of whitebark pine, ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The grade eases after the first steep switchback. Lower Arrow Lake is soon visible below. Within 10 minutes at 497m (1630’) reach rock outcroppings and junction where all 3 trails intersect (map/sign and bench). Can go right (east) on the Syringa Trail 3.3km or left (west) 2.6km on the Yellow Pine Trail and return by trail or on the road back to your vehicle. There are many combinations.
Yellow Pine Trail. Start at the west TH and the day-use parking area and walk 2.6km to the intersection above.
What to do?
Ridge above Yellow Pine Trail. After reaching the Lookout, the high point of the trail at 570m, continue on an unofficial trail to a higher lookout at about 710m. From here on, there is no trail but mostly fairly open bush or rock fields. It is a fairly steep climb to the high point on the first ridge at 1210m. To get to the higher point above, it would have meant climbing down before being able to go up again. 6 hours.
Syringa Overlook. Another route around Syringa is different from the above. Park at the pullout just before Sryinga Marina. Work your way up the south side of the mountain heading for a rocky ridge slightly to the northeast. It is steep all the way but gives good views of the lake. Lots of ungulate activity, flowers, saskatoons and wood ticks. Reach a perched cairn on a small knob (noticeable from the high point of the Yellow Pine Trail).