The K&S Railway Trail can be done in many ways. No matter how you do it, give time to check out the old mine sites, admire the rock work and pause to take in the views. This abandoned rail bed converted to a trail, is generally level.
Difficulty: easy A1
Elevation gain: negligible from Sandon. 305m (1000′) from Three Forks.
Key elevations: Three Forks 750m (2460′), Sandon TH 1006m (3300′).
Distance: To Payne Bluffs: 6.1km from Sandon, 1.6km from Three Forks to Payne Siding
Time: 1-2 hours one-way, from either trailhead.
Season: April through November
Access: easy
Map: 82K/4 Nakusp
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 trail. You can park at the TH sign, 100m north of the junction. Zero odometer.
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 Park on the left by the Historic Railway Trail interpretive sign, just below the Tin Cup Cafe. 1006m (3300′)
7.0km Junction. Right is Idaho Lookout Rd. Left is Carpenter Ck. FSR. At Cody continue straight for Mt Carlyle. This area is north of the park.
Trail: From Sandon to Payne Bluff is an easy 6.1 km stroll and 10 km to Bear Lake. You can even make it easier and drive the first 2.3 km. Where the trail starts, pass the Altoona Mine site with rusty rails and a cascade.
5.7km Payne Siding. Junction of portion of trail left to Three Forks, or straight to Payne Bluffs. If you have a way back from Three Forks, you can take the old pack trail down to the highway from Payne Siding.
6.1km Payne Bluffs. A rocky, narrow perch overlooking Carpenter Creek valley. Kane Creek to London Ridge is across the valley.
10 km. Bear Lake. Requires a shuttle.
If you want a bit of a workout, start at Three Forks. The first section of the trail takes you to the old CPR grade. Follow this for 300 metres, then look for a sign that directs you to the left and up, onto the old pack trail. After a steep 1.4km, you are at Payne Siding. Turn left to Payne Bluff, which is 300 metres along the railway grade. The photo of Payne Bluff is a classic West Kootenay view of history – a locomotive, many men and a difficult section of track around a cliff.
If biking, The first 2.5km from Sandon is a pleasant family bike ride. After this, the trial becomes single-track and somewhat technical.
History of Sandon
The Slocan and Kokanee mountains had gold, silver and copper booms in the 1890s. Many Kooteyany towns were originally mining settlements. The rush to Sandon began in September 1891 with the Payne mine. Within a year, 750 mining claims covered the mountainsides above Carpenter Creek. Within 2 years, Sandon’s population soared to 5,000. Three Forks comprised 240 lots. Within 5 years, the Kaslo and Sandon (K & S) Railway and CPR’s Nakusp and Slocan (N & S) Railway were serving the mines.
The Silvery Slocan mining district became famous for galena, an ore rich in silver, lead and zinc. Some of it, called “float” was found above ground. The rest was mined from hard-rock veins.
In 1899, the local economy stumbled into decline, nudged by three forces: a miners’ strike, low metal prices and the lure of Klondike gold. Sandon was devastated by a fire in 1900 but was soon rebuilt. The mining industry fizzled after 1910.
The town was washed out by Carpenter Creek in 1933 and again in 1955. Today, Sandon comprises only a few buildings. No trace of Three Forks remains.