Ka Papa Cedars is a lovely remnant grove of old-growth trees on the east side of Kootenay Pass.
Location: Off Highway 3, it is 8.1 km on the east side of Kootenay Pass and 35 km west of Creston.
Difficulty: Easy A1
Elevation Gain: +69m
Distance: 2.6 km round trip
Time: 1 hour
Season: All year round. Snowshoe in winter.
Access: Excellent. Immediately off Highway 3, a major highway open all year round.
Map: 82F/2
Drive: From the top of Kootenay Pass on Highway 3, drive 8.1km. After you pass the avalanche gates, turn into the second pull-out on the right and immediately see the green “Ka Papa Trail” signs. This is approximately 35km west of Creston.
There is a second trailhead with an outhouse which you can reach by driving 1km down Cha Creek FSR (the first pull-out after the avalanche gates).
Trail: Head into the forest and descend to a bridge crossing Summit Creek. The trail then crosses a series of boardwalks and ascends a short, steep section. Quickly reach a mapped junction which is the start of the loop. The route described below hikes clockwise.
The forest floor of fern, thimbleberry, and devil’s club. Big cedars amongst hemlocks soon appear. A bench at 1.1km overlooks Summit Creek far below. Continue on as the trail begins to circle back on its loop towards Cha Creek FSR.
After about 2km, you’ll reach a signed junction for the second trailhead, complete the loop and cross Summit Creek.
References:
https://westkootenayhiking.ca/ka-papa-cedars-trail/