This is the main access to Kokanee Glacier PP from the west. The road had boulders on it for decades and was not cleared until 2020. The trail has not been maintained. As a result, there is likely considerable windfall. The trail goes through a spectacular mature forest. You will be the only person on the trail.
Consider it for a shoulder season hike through a soothing forest. As early as June and as late as mid-November, the trail should be snow-free to the Boot Lake viewpoint at 3.2km.
Difficulty: B1 moderate
Elevation gain: 688m (2255′) on trail
Key elevations: TH 1340m (4395′), Tanal Lake 1783m (5848′), Kaslo Lake campground 1973m (6470′), Kokanee Glacier Cabin 1960m 6430′.
Distance: 9km one way
Time: 3-4 hours one way
Season: July through October
Assess: Good
Map: 82F/14 Slocan
Drive:
From Slocan City: 15.5 km (9.6 miles) north on Highway 6, turn right on Enterprise Creek Forest Service Road on the north bank of Enterprise Creek or
From Silverton: 11.7 km (7.3 miles) south, turn left (east) onto the Enterprise Creek FSR.
0.0 Start east on Enterprise Ck Rd. Marked by a BC Parks sign: (KOKANEE GLACIER) ENTERPRISE CREEK 14. Pavement ends.
5km The old road blockage by boulders. At 7.9km, bear left.
12.2km Fork left onto the narrower road. Right crosses the creek.
12.3 km (7.6 miles) Park. The road continues but is overgrown and beautifully mossy. Road washed out at Kokanee Park boundary, a few hundred meters short of the Blue Grouse Basin trail that goes left up Paupo Creek.
0.0 Enterprise Creek Trail (initially an old road) continues on its north side
1.6 km Cross a bridge to the south side. Beyond Paupo Creek, the trail is mostly on the south side of Enterprise Creek, but it crosses again before Tanal Lake. It reaches Tanal Lake and goes over Enterprise Pass to Kaslo Lake, the Slocan Chief Cabin and other points. This trail is particularly isolated and forested.
Trail. TH 1340m (4395′)
Enterprise Creek Trail: 7km, elevation gain 500m, 2.5 hours to Tanal Lake. Trail condition is unknown at present. The below travel times refer to cleared trails (which these are not). This walk is through mature forest – imposing spruce, hemlock and cedar – many draped in moss. The understory of ferns, moss and devils club is prolific.
In 5 minutes reach a signed junction: Left (north) ascends to Blue Grouse Basin. Right proceeds straight for Enterprise Creek.
1.6km Campsite and bridge over Enterprise Creek. The road morphs into a moderately gentle trail.
3.2km Boot Lake in a shrubby basin.
1677m (5500′) Cross stream below a 60m waterfall. Watch for bears and their scat.
6km (1706m 5600′) 2 hours. Cross Enterprise Creek. In 20 minutes reach the NE end of Tanal Lake
7km Tanal Lake 1783m (5848′). The trail follows the NE shore. A 5-site campground is on the SE end. Don’t go on the SW shore of the lake because of bears.
Ascend the valley headwall.
9km (2027m 6650′) Enterprise Pass. View SE to Kaslo, Garland and Keen Lakes in the park’s core area. Visible beyond are Kokanee Glacier and Sawtooth Ridge.
9.5km Junction: Right goes SW ascending past Griffin Lake to Glory Basin and Sapphire Lakes.
Straight is the main trail SE through the pass. Descends 58m (190′) in 10 minutes to a junction at the NE corner of Kaslo Lake.
Right goes to Kaslo Lake campground 1973m (6470′) (10 tent pad) then continues south past Kokanee Lake to Gibson Lake TH.
Left goes NE, gains 100m (328′) in 1.4km to historic Slocan Chief Cabin, now the Park Interpretive Centre. From there, the trail goes NE to Kalima Campground (permanently closed) and Helen Dean Lakes.
Left on Kaslo Lake to Kokanee Glacier Cabin 1960m 6430′: Alpine Club of Canada 403-678- 3200. 20 beds in the summer, mattresses, a fully equipped kitchen, electricity, flush toilets, showers, and a gas fireplace.
