A valley bottom hike in forest that passes some unremarkable lakes and forested mountains. There are few big trees but a nice birch forest in the lower valley and a dark, mossy forest between Cahill and Beatrice lakes.
Difficulty: D1 (day hike)
Elevation gained: 985m (3300′)
Key Elevations: Slocan Lake 537m (1760′); Emerald Lake (Little Cahill) 1064m (3490′); Cahill Lake 1247m (4090′); Beatrice Lake 1451m (4760′).
Distance: 12.5km one way
Time: 8-10 hours round trip
Season: July to mid-October
Map: 82F/13, 82F/14
Drive:
Access from New Denver: From the junction of Hwy 6 and 31A, drive south along Slocan Lake for 31.5 km to the village of Slocan City. Turn right onto Giffin Road, which is signed for Drinnon Pass. Reset odometer to 0.0.
Access from Playmore Junction (midway between Nelson and Castlegar, where Hwy 6 departs Hwy 3A). Follow Hwy 6 north for 46.4km to the village of Slocan. Turn left (west) onto Giffin Road which is signed for Drinnon Pass. Reset odometer to 0.0.
.4 km Turn right on Slocan Street
.7 km Turn left on Fletcher Avenue. Cross Herald St passing a motel and cafe.
1.1 km Turn right on Main Street. 100 farther reach the trailhead parking lot with a picnic table and BC Parks kiosk, where Slocan River flows out of Slocan Lake.
Access: Boat: call Slocan Motel (250-355-2344) a few days before to arrange a boat. Slocan Lake Trail – 7.5 km from Slocan City.
Trail: There are camping with toilets at Evans Beach and at each lake.
The best trail starts just south of Evans Creek at a rockbound cove and connects with both the shoreline trail to Slocan City and the main Beatrice Lake trail across the Evans Creek bridge.
After ascending 244m from the lake, crest a bench above the confluence of Evans and Beatrice creeks. Descend to Beatrice Creek at 1.5kms. After 960m (3150′), follow the former wagon road through the birch forest.
5 km. Emerald Lake (Little Cahill) 1064m (3490′). The lake is .5km long. It is a good day hike destination. Emerald Lake has 4 tent pads but in a small bowl with restricted views so unappealing.
7 km. Cahill Lake 1247m (4090′). The lake is 1.5km long. There is a nice waterfall on the SW shore and three ancient trees – 2 cedars and a hemlock.
8.5 km. Trail junction on the NW shore of Cahill Lake. Right crosses Beatrice Lake to Cahill Lake campground on the NW shore. There are 6 tent pads, several with lake views, the most attractive camping because of the good morning sun and nice rugged mountains.
Left continues on the main trail to Beatrice Lake passing granite walls, large hemlocks and the rushing creek. At 9.3km cross a rickety bridge.
11km. Beatrice Lake SE shore 1451m (4760′). The lake is 11km long. The campground has 12 tent pads but in a gloomy, oppressive location.
The trail was cleared all the way to Beatrice Lake in 2017.