IDAHO PEAK 2,280m 7,480′
Idaho Peak offers the best view in the West Kootenay – 360 degrees of wilderness. Views are almost 6,000 feet down to Slocan Lake, the villages of New Denver and Silverton and the remains of mine workings from years ago. In the distance, there are excellent views of the Slocan, Goat, Kokanee, and Valhalla mountain ranges.
The summer wildflower display is world renowned. It usually peaks for a few weeks around the July/August long weekend.
And all this after a short walk suitable for almost anyone – your vehicle does most of the elevation gain.
Rating: ♦♦♦♦◊
Difficulty: Easy A1
Elevation gain: 146m (480′)
Key elevations: Slocan Lake 542m (1,778′); Parking lot Summit 2,280m (7,480′);
Distance: 1.4km one-way
Time: 30 minutes one-way
Season: July through September. Best end of July/early August for wildflowers.
Access: Road 2WD low clearance
Map: 82F/14 Slocan. Valhalla Society Guide to Valhalla Provincial Park (1:125,000)
Note: in 2020, Idaho Road was washed out at 2.5kms. The only access is a 32km round trip to bypass the washout: From Three Forks and head up H-Road; turn right on Queen Bess Road and then swing left up Sundowner. This pops you out just below the 9km point on the Idaho Peak FSR past the washout so follow this the rest of the way.
The other access is via the Wakefield Trail from Silverton.
Drive: to Sandon, Cody and Mount Carlyle
From New Denver: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) east on Highway 31A
From Kaslo (Junction of Highways 31 and 31A at Kaslo): 38.1 km (23.7 miles) west on Hwy 31A
This junction is known as Three Forks and one access point to the Galena and K&S Railway Trails.
0.0 Start south on Sandon Road
5.6km arrive at Sandon, now just a few buildings. Proceed straight on Recco Street; do not cross the Carpenter Creek bridge.
6km The Historic Railway Trail interpretive sign, just below the Tin Cup Cafe and the Sandon TH for the K&S Railway Trail. 1006m (3300′). Go straight to Carpenter Ck. FSR to Cody and Mt Carlyle, north of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.
Turn right on the Idaho Lookout Road to ascend Idaho Peak on the good 2WD low-clearance road. For 2kms, the road is wide and moderate grade, then narrows and switches steeply. At 8.4km, go straight, at 10km, stay left.
15.6kms Enter Wild Goose Basin. Wildflowers are profuse here in season.
18km Park 2134m (7000′). On the ridge crest between Idaho and Selkirk Peaks.
Trail: This well-used trail ascends gently 1.4kms to the 7479 foot summit of Idaho Peak and the usually locked lookout tower. Visible mountains are Kokanee Glacier, Mt Cooper to the NE and Valhalla PP. New Denver Glacier is directly across the lake. Big Sister is NW of New Denver.
What to do?
1. Walk back down to Silverton on the Wakefield Trail – 804m (2636′) to the TH and 8.5 kilometres drive back to the village of Silverton. Arrange a shuttle or have two groups, one an early group that hikes up the Wakefield Trail, and meet at the parking lot.
2. Climb Selkirk Peak.