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MOUNT PRESTLEY  West Peak  2730m (8950′), Central Peak 2640m (8650′), East Peak 2670m (8750′) This is a handsome triple summit west of the Mulvey Group and south of Valhalla Lake. The west summit is the highest. The Prestley Group consists … Continue reading →

This is a rewarding shoulder-season hike. It can be virtually snow-free nine months of the year. The optimal time to hike is early spring or on a hot summer’s day when a swim is welcome. The trail has everything: forest, … Continue reading →

GIMLY RIDGE    ♦♦♦♦♦ Mulvey Basin is the premier climbing area of the West Kootenay – big granite walls surrounding a lake-filled basin. Access was problematic until the 1989 when Bannock Burn FSR became available full time and this trail … Continue reading →

The Southern Valhallas lie within Slocan Lake and the Slocan River Valley on the east and south, and Bannock Burn and upper Hoder Creeks on the west. The northern border is Evans Lake and Evans Creek. Mountains in the Southern … Continue reading →

Popular drive to campsite on Slocan Lake. Wragge Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on Slocan Lake. The spacious campsites along the lake shore are shaded by trees. A wide beach that curves gently for several hundred meters in … Continue reading →

MOUNT DORVAL 2560m From near Nakusp, Mount Dorval appears as a big, black pyramid down the Columbia River valley. It is 3kms due west of Urd Peak and the watershed crest of the Valhallas.  Elevation gain: Key elevations:  Map: 82F/13 … Continue reading →

URD PEAK 2680m The peak is 3.2kms NW of Evans Lake. Considering only its name, Urd Peak belongs in the Norns. FA unknown.  It is a simple walk up on grassy slopes from the east and west.  Urd is traversed … Continue reading →

DEMERS PEAK 2670m (8750′) Located 3.5 kilometres west of the west end of Beatrice Lake and 2 km east of the watershed crest of the Valhallas. 1km north of the second and third Demers Lakes. Demers Peak, Urd Peak and … Continue reading →

HELA PEAK 2730m  Located 3.2 kilometres north of Beatrice Lake.  Elevation gain:  Key elevations: Beatrice Lake 1451m (4760′), summit Hela 2730m Season: mid-July to mid-September  Map: 82F/13 Burton.  Routes: 1. East Slopes. From Cahill Lake, ascend to a small lake to … Continue reading →

A valley bottom hike in forest that passes some unremarkable lakes and forested mountains. There are few big trees but a nice birch forest in the lower valley and a dark, mossy forest between Cahill and Beatrice lakes.  Difficulty: D1 (day … Continue reading →