WHITE QUEEN WEST RIDGE TRAIL 2180m 7152’
This trail to the summit of a local winter snowshoeing favourite was new in 2020. Accessed from Whitewater Ski Hill, there are great views to local mountains including Ymir. Larches are spectacular in the fall.
Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊
Location: North of Nelson off Highway 6, turn east to Whitewater Ski Hill. Access from Hummingbird Pass.
Difficulty: B1 Moderate
Elevation Gain: +691m
Key Elevations: Hummingbird Pass
Distance: 10.2kms round trip
Time: 4-5 hours round trip
Season: June through October. Snowshoe in winter.
Access: Good 2 WD low clearance.
Map: 82F/6
Drive: Drive 6.9kms up Whitewater Ski Hill Road and park on the left at Hummingbird Pass. This is before the main ski resort area.
Trail: The new Bird Queen Hiking Trail follows a winter backcountry touring/snowshoeing route. The name comes from the connection between Humming Bird Pass to White Queen. It was built in two phases: Phase 1 to the summit and Phase 2 connecting a loop over Mount Beattie to the northwest.
From the parking area, walk down the historic Humming Bird Mine Road, pass the winter kiosk, cross the bridge and walk around the gravel pit at the end of the road. Either continue walking up the road on a long switchback or turn left on a faint, steep trail that cuts off the switchback and rejoins the road. Above Hummingbird Pass, the road fades into a trail curving northeast above the pass.
At 2.5kms, reach the old Hummingbird Mine tailing piles. Cross a creek and turn right on the Bird Queen Trail, the new trail that switch backs up the ridge. The ridge climbs steadily over several bumps. To the north appears the forested summit of Mt Beattie, Mt Grohman and the Valhallas. Larch trees become prominent. Follow cairns to reach the radio tower on a wide grassy summit.
In June, glacier lilies and anenomes cover the summit – in September it is larches.
Panorama. Kokanee Glacier, Mt Grohman, Valhallas (north), Bonningtons (Toad, Red, Copper, Siwash, Emperor, Commonwealth, Dominion and Territory. Ymir Peak is to the east and Emna and Embia Peaks to the northeast.
What to Do
1. Continue east towards Ymir Peak, descend the White Queen/Silverqueen Ridge Route to loop past the Whitewater Ski Resort.
2. Future Phase 2 trail to loop over Mount Beattie and rejoin Humming Bird Pass Trail.