Author Archives: admin

Castlegar (pop 9,023 2016) is the second-largest community in the West Kootenays. It is located at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. Castlegar is a regional trade and transportation centre, with a local economy fuelled by forestry, mining … Continue reading →

Two men from Kimberley, British Columbia, traversed the entire Purcell mountain range on foot and walked 280 kilometres in 24 days. By Vince Hempsall, Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine It most definitely is the year of epic British Columbia traverses. Two … Continue reading →

HOLE IN THE WALL ARCH    2530m   8300′ This natural arch of quartzite rock spans a knife-edge ridge line in the Egyptian group of peaks, the most prominent of which is Mt Amen-Ra. It is about 700m south of Mt … Continue reading →

This lovely urban trail network has two red-covered bridges to form a loop. Dioramas tell the history of the town. Artwork sculptures. Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊ Location: In the village of Kaslo Difficulty: A1 easy Elevation Gain: +55m Distance: 3.6 km Time: 90 … Continue reading →

HISTORY Four individuals were instrumental in the founding and development of Trail. Fritz Augustus Heinze was a young mining magnate from Butte, Montana. A millionaire many times over when still in his twenties, he was a large, good looking man … Continue reading →

ROSSLAND 1023m (3356 feet) Once one of the greatest mining camps on the Pacific Slope, prospectors first found ore bodies in the area in 1887. In 1890, several more magnificent ore bodies were found on the slopes of an extinct … Continue reading →

HEART LAKE   2240m 7350’ This tiny alpine lake is set in pretty meadows. This hike is not well known outside the local area – a local gem most don’t want advertised. So please don’t tell anyone about this hike. Rating: ♦♦◊◊◊ … Continue reading →

A lovely hike above East Trail on a mountain biking network maintained by the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society. Includes walking through town to make a loop. Several trailheads give access. The Trailforks app is useful for sorting out all the … Continue reading →

EMERALD LAKE   2067m   6789′ Visit this pretty alpine lake below Mount Jardine. on an out-and-back trail.  Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊ Location: South slopes of Mt Jardine Difficulty: B2 moderate Elevation Gain: +449m Distance: 4.4 km one way Time: 6-7 hours Season: July to … Continue reading →

A shady little trail for mountain biking, walking or running. It’s an out-and-back smooth, flowing route through a magical mossy forest. The trail is quiet and calm. Notice the telegraph resistors still wired to some of the trees. Rating: ♦♦◊◊◊ Location: … Continue reading →