TOAD MOUNTAIN
Legend has it that Toad Mountain got its name when a prospector was staking his land claim, looked down, saw a toad, and… that was that.
VIA GIVEOUT CREEK
Drive. Near the Morning Mountain Bike Trails area use the Trailforks app. The route to Toad Mountain follows the “Upper Powerslave” mountain bike trail.
Pass the upper kiosk for the Morning Mountain Bike Trails.
10.0 km. A major junction with a large boulder at the cross-roads. Take the left fork up the west branch of Giveout Creek FSR. Stay on the main road and consult Trailforks if you’re not sure about a junction. At
16.7 km. At the top of the ridge, switchback right, away from Toad Mountain.
17.4 km. Park or turn left for the last very steep 0.5km 4WD low-range. Better to park and walk.
Trail. Walk the last 0.5km of steep access road. Near the top of the ridge, follow a signed trail starting in the woods. If you reach a landing on the ridge with a picnic table, you’ve gone too far.
Walk through woods at the top of the ridge.
1.7 km. Reach a high point on the ridge below Toad. Descend, then level off until the final, steep ascent to the summit. 1.5 hours. Use a wooden triangle structure as a bench. Red Mountain and Copper Mountain are to the south-west. Nelson is far below along Kootenay Lake. Toad Mountain’s summit is at 2200m, so you’re high above Elephant Mountain. Ymir Mountain is to the east. The Bonnington range stretches out west.
Return down a steady slope. When off the high point on the ridge, it is a steady descent to the vehicles.
VIA SILVER KING MINE.
Trailhead: Gold Creek Road
Difficulty: B2, moderate
Distance: 8km round trip
Elevation: +555m
Season: late June to early October
Drive. This trail starts near the Silverking Mine, the original route to Toad Mountain. The newer trail via Giveout Creek is shorter with better driving access, Driving this way needs courage and 4WD to deal with the deep ruts, steep sections, and a partial road collapse into an old mine.
Trail. The trail climbs to Summit One and is steep through the forest and then rocky outcrops. Summit Two is ridge-line hiking with great views. Then edge a ridge to Toad Mountain.