SELKIRK PEAK 2324M 7625′
Combined with a visit to the Idaho Lookout, this provides for a nice Kootenay day. The TH is the Idaho parking lot. The hike is a good scramble.
Difficulty: A1
Elevation gain: 200m (625’)
Key elevations: Parking lot 2134m (7000′); Summit Idaho Peak 2,280m (7,480′); Summit Selkirk 2324m (7625’)
Distance:
Time: 1.5 hours up
Season: early July through October
Assess: Easy
Map: 82F/14 Slocan
Drive: to Sandon, Cody and Mount Carlyle
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.
0.0 Start south on Sandon Road
5.6km arrive at Sandon, now just a few buildings. Proceed straight on Recco Street; do not cross the Carpenter Creek bridge.
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.
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.
Route: Start on a hiker-made trail to the shoulder that becomes a pleasant scramble around rotten rock, steep dirt and tussock hillside. The summit is a large grassy mound.
Return the same way.
Just about always, this scramble up Selkirk is accompanied by going to the lookout on Idaho too.
