1. SIX MILES LAKES TRAIL
This easy trail is near Nelson but far enough into the mountains to experience wildlife, wildfowl and picturesque lakes. Spring and fall are probably the best times.
Difficulty: easy A1
Elevation gain: minimal
Distance: 2.5km
Time: 1.75 hours one-way
Season: mid-June to mid-October
Access: Easy
Map: 82F/14 Kokanee Peak
Drive: From Nelson, take Hwy 3A east for 9kms and turn left on Six Mile Lakes Road.
0.0 Start on Six Mile Lakes Rd. Drive 9kms
9.0km Bear right
12.4km Park on the left.
Trail: Cross Duhamel Creek and go through the large cedar, hemlock and balsam forest. Watch for stinging nettle and Devils Club in the slide paths. Watch for wildfowl and perhaps a moose. Spring wildflowers are a delight. The west end of the trail ends on the road. You might want to follow the road back to your vehicle but a return on the trail would be more pleasant.
2. ROSS LAKE TRAIL
This is a small subalpine lake in the Redfish Creek drainage system at an elevation of 1816m (5950′). Good fishing is available as well as wandering the ridge tops in the headwaters of Redfish Creek. Other lakes are: in this drainage – Whitelady and Penilynn, and in the nearby Laird Creek drainage – Haiseldean and Noakes lakes.
Difficulty: easy A1
Elevation gain: 180m (600′)
Key elevations:
Distance: 2kms
Time: 1.5 hours return
Season: early June to early October
Access: Moderate
Map: 82F/11 Kookanee Peak
Drive: Drive: From Nelson drive east on Hwy 3A for 28.8 km. Turn left. Zero odometer.
0.0 Start on Beggs Rd
2kms Go past private residences to reach the logging road proper.
12kms Turn left onto a 4WD road. Walk or drive.
13.2km Trailhead.
Trail: The trail gains elevation quickly upon entering the forest before reaching the lake.
What to do?
1. Climb Mt Yuill by the east face.
3. KRAO LAKES & PEAK 7100′
Drive: Cody Caves Road, an equal distance past the caves, to a large old logging deck and clearing.
Route: A good unmarked trail leading up Krao Creek to the upper lake and above that to the final ridge and peak overlooking Coffee Creek
4. WHEELER LAKE TRAIL
The solitude of Wheeler Lake will attract some hikers to this area; others will be lured by the lake’s good fishing.
This lake is in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The trails are not maintained. This is grizzly habitat.
Difficulty: B2 bushwhack
Elevation gain: 381m (1250′)
Key elevations:
Distance: 6.4km
Time: 4 hours one-way
Season: July to late September
Access: Moderate
Map: 82F/14 Slocan
Drive: From Ainsworth Hot Springs, drive 2.8km north and turn left. Zero odometer.
0.0 Start on Cody Cave Road.
6.4km Turn right (north) on a road sometimes marked “Wheeler Lake Trail”.
8.6km Park.
Trail: Take the rough trail that leads off along the washed-out road for 55m, then drop off steeply to the right to Lendrum Creek, cross it on a log and join the original Wheeler Lake trail a short distance up the creek.
Gradually ascending Lendrum Creek valley, the trail passes through a dense forest of cedar and hemlock broken by numerous wildflower-covered avalanche paths. This is bear country so make yourself known in the thick foliage.
At 4.8 km, encounter particularly thick woods with many wet areas that can make travel slow. The trail gradually climbs for another 1.6km to Wheeler Lake. Fishing is good.
Cross the slippery logs at the mouth of the creek and continue along the southern shore of the lake for .8km where the trail finally fades out in the forest.
Experienced hikers can bushwhack to the head of the drainage where Nalmet, Lendrum and Grey Eagle lakes nestle in a secluded area of the park, providing a premium wilderness fishing experience.
5. FLETCHER LAKE
This subalpine lake is a popular fishing spot and offers day hiking opportunities to an even more secluded lake. The trails and roads are not maintained because of bear habitat.
Difficulty: difficult
Elevation gain: 120m (500′)
Key elevations:
Distance: 1.6km
Time: 2 hours one-way
Season: late June to early October
Access: Difficult
Map: 82F/15 Kaslo
Drive: Woodbury Creek FSR (high clearance, 4WD)
From Balfour (ferry): Drive 23.5 km (14.6 miles) north on Hwy 31 and turn left. Zero odometer.
From Kaslo (Esso station): Drive 10.2 km (6.3 miles) south on Hwy 31 and turn right. Zero odometer.
0.0 Start on the Fletcher Creek FSR, signed “Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park”. The old south road access is very rough.
1.1km Go right for the unmaintained Fletcher Lake Trail (not recommended due to high concentration of grizzly bears). Drive 13.6kms. Left goes to Woodbury.
14.7km Turn right onto a descending side road and drive down to the log landing and park.
Trail: Follow the skid road eastward int the trees where the trail begins. A rough, sometimes steep and slippery 1,6km hike brings you to Fletcher Lake. Upper Fletcher Lake is reached by a bushwhack of approximately 1.6km up the valley to the west. Bears have always been a problem around the lakes especially if all litter is not packed out. Fish remains should definitely be packed out.
