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THANKSGIVING MOUNTAIN   2365m  7760′ This is the mountain on the north side of Grey Creek Pass. Named by the locals who like to hike it on the holiday, the summit has a wide panorama of Kootenay Lake and the Purcells. … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

SANDON is a ghost town, but was once the unofficial capital of the mining region known as the “Silvery Slocan”, only some of it remains standing. History. In 1891 vast amounts of galena ore were discovered in the area by Eli Carpenter … Continue reading →

The Carpenter Pass Trail gives access to Silver Ridge and the Mount Carlyle alpine area, all steeped in mining history. Because of the distances and all the things to see, this area is best explored on a backpacking trip or … Continue reading →

Boulder Pass crosses the southwest ridge of Mount Carlyle. The hike is from Carlyle Lodge and traverses the Mt. Carlyle Bowl through to the pass. Views from the pass are to the Purcell Mountains. Larches Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊ Location: Cross the bowl … Continue reading →

This trail extends from Carlyle Pass and the nearby Carlyle Lodge west along Silver Ridge. Larches are a highlight in the fall. Rating: ♦♦♦♦◊ Location: At the remote headwaters of Carpenter Creek above Cody and Sandon. Difficulty: B1 moderate Elevation Gain: … Continue reading →

The Smallwood viewpoint is possibly the best in the West Kootenay – situated on a bend in the Kootenay River, almost the entire river between Nelson and Castlegar is visible. The view is as big as the bench.   Part … Continue reading →

The Rossland Range provides the best backcountry skiing in the West Kootenay. There have always been several “cabins” distributed all over the range. These were built by enterprising guys over decades. Many were simple A-frames sheeted in plastic, but all … Continue reading →

This 20-kilometre route/trail was the original route that followed Silver Ridge – the alpine route that connected high altitude mines from Idaho Peak/Sandon, around Mount Carlyle and finally descending to Cody, just above Sandon – and thus completing a loop. … Continue reading →

The Salmo Valley Trail Society has built seven trails on the Salmo Ski Hill since 2014. Views from the top are worthwhile. Rating: ♦♦◊◊◊ Location: The north-facing slope of the unnamed mountain southwest of Salmo. Difficulty: B1 Moderate Elevation Gain: … Continue reading →