Category Archives: Uncategorized

These are some of the best meadows/alpine areas in the West Kootenay. Access is long and the last few kilometres are high clearance. The meadows give access to a wide area of other mountains. A campground was established in the … Continue reading →

Like the Earl Grey Pass Trail, this route between East and West Kootenays was used by explorers, miners and trappers at the turn of the century. Now it is usually used by hikers to gain access to the ridges and … Continue reading →

A spectacular trail with great views of the headwall and 837-foot Graymalkin Falls coming off the ice field. The trail gives great access to many mountaineering possibilities.  Location: Up Glacier Creek Road in Purcells  Difficulty: C2 Elevation gain: 640m (2100′) … Continue reading →

The Earl Grey Pass is a 61km crossing of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy between Toby and Hamill Creeks. In 1807, David Thompson built Kootenay House for the North West Company near the mouth of Toby Creek. It was the first … Continue reading →

This good trail up the spectacular Fry Creek Canyon is very popular with West Kootenay residents during the spring. It is one of the few low-level trails that exhibit wonderful wildflowers and possible sightings of deer, elk and mountain goats.  … Continue reading →

Done as a day hike, this takes about 8 hours. But the dramatic scenery warrants several days. Stay for at least one night at each of Cobalt Lake and Applebee Camps. This is possibly the best day hike (or longer … Continue reading →

You can’t see the spires until the final turn of the road up to the trailhead parking area. The thrill of that initial glimpse of Hound’s Tooth, jutting from the chaos of Bugaboo Glacier is one you never get tired … Continue reading →

This aquamarine alpine lake is the largest in the park. The trail offers one of the few non-mountaineering adventures in Bugaboo PP. It can be a long day hike or better yet, the first day of a 3-4 day backpacking … Continue reading →

The Bugaboos are the one area close to the West Kootenay that are truly world famous – for its rock climbing and mountaineering. The hiking is also amongst the world’s best – the day hike I describe here is my … Continue reading →

Four unique alpine lakes sit in a wonderful mountain basin at the headwaters of Welsh Creek. The tiny blue/green lakes are surrounded by white rock and glaciers and the Welsh Peaks. Key elevations: Lower Welsh Lake 2164m 7100’; upper Welsh … Continue reading →