Access to this great ridge hike is from Highway 3 at Kootenay Pass between Salmo and Creston. The elevation of the pass is 1775m (5823’), the highest point of Highway 3. Part of the 1133-hectare Stagleap Provincial Park, the pass is famous for its early and late season snow as well as being the highest-served pass in BC that is open year-round (closed occasionally for avalanche danger).
This area is a popular backcountry skiing/snowshoeing destination in the winter. Unlike resort-based routes, the ski tours are all completely backcountry. There are no lifts, no lodges and no people nearby. Check the Kootenay Boundary Avalanche Forecast n the Canadian Avalanche Association website. Ripple Ridge / Lightning Strike is a very popular winter route and a nice summer ridge hike.
Snow lasts well into mid-July. Most ridges have extensive cornices – take care and probe if venturing near any edge.
Lightning Strike and Ripple Ridge are used interchangeably to refer to this ridge line which is confusing. The proper Ripple Mountain looms far in the distance and isn’t connected at all to this ridge.
Location: Access from Bridal Lake in Stagleap Provincial Park on the summit of Kootenay Pass
Difficulty: B1 moderate, all trail (Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike), C2 strenuous, off-trail (Monk Peak)
Elevation Gain: +393m (Ripple Ridge/Lightning Strike)
Key Elevations: Parking lot on highway 1775m (5823’): High point of Ridge 2168 m
Distance: 9.4kms (Lightning Strike), 12km (Monk Peak) round trip
Time: 5-6 hours round trip
Season: Late June to early October
Access: Very good. 2WD low clearance on a major highway
Map: 82F/3
Drive: Drive up Highway 3 to the top of Kootenay Pass, between Salmo and Creston. Park beside Bridal Lake at the summit on the north side of the highway.
Route/Trail:
Trailhead. Across the highway from the parking area is the decommissioned Ripple Ridge FSR heading south. The road switchbacks for 2.3 km.
2.3kms. Just past the boulder road barricade/park boundary, reach a signed trail junction “Ripple Ridge Trail” on the right.
The trail climbs out of the trees onto an alpine ridge with panoramic views on both sides. Vegetation varies with the season – beargrass, flowers, huckleberries. Cornice Ridge is north across the highway far below.
4.7km the ridge ends and the trail disappears above some large bluffs. This is the usual turn-around point. There are views of many low mountains including into Idaho. The highway is visible below. This is a great spot for a break and the usual turnaround point for most hikers.
• Monk Peak is across the gully. Bushwhack down the steep slope to a saddle and climb directly to the summit. The top half of the ascent is a large boulder field with no options other than scrambling through them.
Descend a slightly different route to climb Little Monk Peak.
Return along the base of Little Monk passing interesting mounds of conglomerate rock. Then scramble back to the top of Lightning Strike and the trail.