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. Long not used, it was re-developed by Brian Cross, owner of Carlyle Mountain Backcountry Lodge. What has resulted is a 4 day/3 nite backcountry adventure. Described as “glamping”, accommodation is provided in 2 remote camps and the main lodge. Participants need only carry a daypack. Following either on, or very close to the ridge line, the trip offers views of glaciers in every direction – Kokanee, Whitewater and Woodbury. Other attractions are wildflowers in season and the brilliant alpine larch display in late September when the larch drop their golden needles.
HISTORY
After the California gold rush of the 1849’s, it seemed as though fortune-seeking prospectors had made their way into every nook, cranny and outcrop the American West had to offer. Known as “sourdoughs” (seasoned miners that knew a thing or two about bush-craft and DIY baking) many were drawn north when news of significant strikes in British Columbia’s “Silvery Slocan” made their way south of the border in the 1890’s. Americans, Canadians, Swedes, Norwegians, the Chinese and a dozen other nationalities converged on Sandon, Slocan, New Denver and other boom-towns in the region.
The Payne Mine, Reco, and a dozen other claims became famous throughout the Western world, but most mines and old sourdoughs were destined to live out their days in relative poverty and anonymity. Today the boom times are a memory, but many of the towns and settlements live on alongside ghosts of cities past; Three Forks and Sandon are gone, as are Comaplix, the Alamo and Zincton, but Kaslo, Silverton, New Denver and others persevere.
The backcountry skiing and snowboarding are endless, as are the sledding, fishing, biking and hiking. The old forgotten track/path crossing Silver Ridge has been “rediscovered” as the Sourdough Traverse, an adventure that pays homage to the amazing history of the “Silvery Slocan”.
Rating: ♦♦♦♦◊
Location: Follows the high altitude alpine Silver Ridge between Idaho Peak and Mount Carlyle and then descends on an excellent old miner’s trail to Cody, just above Sandon. Mounts Selkirk and Sandon are traversed along with many other “bumps” on the ridge line. ,
Difficulty: D2 if doing independently.
Elevation Gain:
Key Elevations: Idaho parking lot, Mt Carlyle Backcountry Lodge 7200′, Cody 1219m / 3999feet
Distance: 20 kilometres
Time: 4 days/3 nights but could be one long day.
Season: July through October
Access: Normally 2WD low clearance to the parking lot at Idaho Peak and Cody but in 2020, Idaho Peak road had a washout and it is not accessible. Likewise, Silverton Road has also been closed and the Wakefield Trail is not accessible.
Map: 82F/14
Drive: The trip forms an almost perfect loop centred on Sandon. A shuttle to get to Idaho Peak from Sandon is required.
From New Denver: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) east on Highway 31A
From Kaslo (Junction of Highways 31 and 31A at Kaslo): 38.1 km (23.7 miles) west on Hwy 31A
This junction is known as Three Forks and is one access point to the Galena and K&S Railway Trails. From either New Denver or Kaslo, drive Highway 31A and at Three Forks, turn south up Carpenter Creek to Sandon.
0.0 Start south on Sandon Road
5.6km arrive at Sandon, now just a few buildings. Proceed straight on Recco Street;
To Idaho Peak: Cross the Carpenter Creek bridge. Turn right on the Idaho Lookout Road to ascend Idaho Peak on the good 2WD low-clearance road. For 2kms, the road is wide and moderate grade, then narrows and switches steeply. At 8.4km, go straight, at 10km, stay left. 15.6kms Enter Wildgoose Basin. Wildflowers are profuse here in season.
18km Park 2134m (7000′). On the ridge crest between Idaho and Selkirk Peaks.
To Cody: 6km The Historic Railway Trail interpretive sign, just below the Tin Cup Cafe and the Sandon TH for the K&S Railway Trail. 1006m (3300′). Go straight to Carpenter Ck. FSR to Cody and Mt Carlyle, north of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.
Route/Trail:
Day 1. From the Idaho Peak parking lot, access the ridge line heading ESE following a trail. Drop down into the basin north of Selkirk Peak. Generally, the trail follows the north side of the ridge. At 833 332, descend 200′ off the ridge to a small lake. Camp here or at the slightly larger lake due east and 400′ below (this is where the Lodge trip camps).
Day 2. Contour below the ridge line crossing Sandon Peak on its south side, crossing back over to the north side of the ridge after 849 309. Cross the ridge before Motherlode Lakes, the site of an abandoned mine and the second camp spot.
Day 3 is a short hike following the ridge east to Mount Carlyle Backcountry Lodge. Spend the third and last night here at this full-service lodge (sleeps 12).
Day 4. Continue through Carlyle Pass to the abandoned mine. A wonderful trail follows the contour perfectly all the way down the nine kilometres to Cody.
Walk or arrange a ride for the two kilometres back to Sandon.
What to Do: Climb the two summits along the trail: Mounts Selkirk and Sandon. Or climb Mt Carlyle from the lodge. Explore all the abandoned mines.
References:
Mount Carlyle Backcountry Lodge – Kootenay Mountain Holidays
RR#1 GR-9 C-9 Winlaw, BC Canada V0G 2J0
250 355 2269
https://www.skihikebc.com/the-lodge/
info@kmhbc.com
Lodge Location: (basically in Carlyle Pass)
Elevation – 7200 Feet – Kokanee Mountain Range, Selkirk Mountains – Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada
MAP 82F/14…1:50,000 scale UTM 900E 304N
Lat’s and Long: 49 degrees 55′ 42″ N 117 degrees 08′ 23″ W
Summer access: 3.5 hour hike (average time). 9kms from Cody.
Winter access: Helicopter. Flights to the lodge leave from Kaslo Airport, (a 1 hour drive north of Nelson). Kaslo is a small picturesque mountain town with a population of around 1,200. Kaslo is located on the West shore of Kootenay Lake and has the most amenities you need including various accommodation options, a supermarket, a liquor store (both not open on Sunday), 4 restaurants and a micro brewery (The Angry Hen).
