GALENA TRAIL – Three Forks to New Denver 6.5 km
Difficulty: easy A1
Elevation gain/loss: 110m
Key elevations: Denver Siding TH 630m (2066′); Alamo 655m (2150′); Three Forks TH 720m (2360′); Roseberry TH
Distance: 6.5km
Time: 2 hours
Season: April through November
Access: easy
Map: 82K/4 Nakusp
Drive: To Sandon
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. Park.
Trail: Three Forks to New Denver
The trail starts on Sandon Road, about 75 metres SE of Highway 31A, by the interpretive sign, just past the southeast end of the trailhead parking area. It immediately descends to Carpenter Creek and crosses a bridge to the south bank. In a few minutes a signed but unmaintained trail left to Sandon. Proceed straight.
The trail follows the creek to Alamo Siding 655m (2150′), once home to 200 people. Today, time is taking its toll – the manager’s house on the hill is pretty well caved in now. There’s an outhouse, an old house and the huge ruins of a concentrator.
Cross Carpenter Creek on a cable car. The creek plummets into Denver Canyon while the trail stays level. The flumes that channelled the water for electricity are still visible on the canyon wall across the creek.
At 1 1/2 hours (588m 1930′), go right at a junction and cross a bridge. Left descends 37m (120′) down to Carpenter Creek, constricted into a rushing canyon. A cement flume from the mining days is on the far wall of the canyon. Check it out and return to the bridge.
After the bridge walk west for 20 minutes, pass a highway maintenance yard and bear right for the Denver Siding TH 630m (2066′). Hwy 31A is just beyond.
GALENA TRAIL – New Denver to Roseberry 6.5km
This portion of the Galena Trail lacks interest for hikers but affords easy mountain biking.
Difficulty: easy A1
Elevation gain/loss: 110m
Key elevations: Denver Siding TH 630m (2066′); Three Forks TH 720m (2360′); Roseberry TH 537m (1760′)
Distance: 6.5km
Time: 2 hours
Season: April through November
Access: easy
Map: 82K/4 Nakusp
Trail: From Denver Siding, go left (west) toward New Denver on Hwy 31A. In 75m the trail takes off to the right (north) 630m (2066′). It descends gradually, crosses Hwy 6 just north of town and follows Slocan Lake high above, gradually descending to reach it at Roseberry.
Trees prevent lake views most of the way. In Roseberry, the trail ends in a logging yard. Proceed 300 metres through it to reach Highway 6 just south of the bridge over Wilson Creek. Roseberry Provincial Park is immediately north of the bridge.
The rail trail continues to Nakusp.