WEST FORK KOKANEE CREEK

An easy three-kilometre loop trail in the forest and near a creek. Great for kids. 

Difficulty: Easy A1
Elevation gain: 190m (622′)
Distance: 3kms
Time: 1-2 hours
Season: May through November
Access: easy
Map: 82F/11 Kokanee Peak

Drive: Kokanee Glacier Road: From Nelson Orange Bridge: 19.1 km (11.9 miles) east on Highway 3A. From the Balfour Ferry: 11.7 km (7.3 miles) west on Highway 3A. Sign for Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.
0.0 Turn north on a marked road up Kokanee Creek – a good, sometimes steep, gravel road that goes 16 km to Gibson Lake. At 2.2km, bear right; at 2.4km, bear left;
7.0km Left is West Kokanee Face FSR. Creek. The trail starts here. Straight continues to Gibson Lake.
7.7km Turn right on Kokanee West FSR. Deactivated with very deep water bars.
10.6km Cross bridge near the end of the drivable part of the road.

Trail: Descend NW to a bridge over Kokanee Creek at 935m (3067′). A signed junction is for the loop trail. Go either way. High point 1100m (3608′).

Old Miners Trail from West Kokanee Face to Outlook Ridge. Follow driving instructions to the end of the road above.
Cross Kokanee Ck on the good bridge and ascend the broad trail in heavy woods for 90 minutes to the trail, in bad condition in 1981 – deadfalls, alder, easily lose the trail, parts with flagging. After 4 miserable hours, reach a mine at 6,800′ and alpine meadows with views to Sunset Mt, Outlook, Kokanee Glacier and all the Valhallas. A 25-minute at speed reaches a 7,800′ mountain 2½ miles east of Mt Cornfield. The return took almost as long at 3½ hours. The trip was recommended only for those carrying a chainsaw and lopping shears.