PAINT LAKE & MT SYMONS

The trail starts in the sub-alpine, goes through meadows up to the limestone ridge Mt Symons sits. Follow the ridge around Paint Lake to make a loop with great views of the Gold Range, Monashee Park and Goat-Sitkum. Possible to camp at Empress Lake or traverse over to the ridge north of Margie Lake.

Location: South of Shelter Bay ferry
Difficulty: B2 Mt Symons
Elevation gain: 370m (1200′)
Key elevations: Mt Symons 7700′
Distance: 4-6kms round trip
Time: < 2 hrs to Mt Symons
Access: 4WD last 4kms 
Season: June through October
Map: 82L/8 Mt Fosthall 

Drive: From Revelstoke, drive 48kms south on Hwy 23 to Shelter Bay FSR (about  2kms north of the Shelter Bay Ferry) and turn right (west). Zero odometer. It is 35 km on a narrow, winding and rough road towards its end.
0.0 Start of Shelter Bay FSR.
2.4km Go right then immediate left onto Eagle Bay Road (right goes to Coursier Lake)
10.5km Eagle Bay FS campsite on left. 12.6km Pingston Hydro site.
16.5km Major fork. Go right onto Lime Kiln Road.
19.5km Go straight. (right is Odin Road). 21km Straight. 22.8 Bridge.
23.1 Stay left (right is Ledge Road – deactivated)
23.5 Steep rocky section. Park cars at top.
24.4 Park vans. 25.1 Stay left; 25.6 Bridge; 25.9 Go right; 26.7 Go right; 28 Sharp right; 31.1km Go left; 32.2 Go right Last 4kms is HC 4WD.
34.2km Sharp left onto branch road; 34.9 Go right; 35.2 Go right;
35.5 Go right into log landing. Park.

Trail: Start of trail is a rough 4WD mining road.
1.6km Stay right and walk up through meadow to end on a knoll above Empress Lake basin. Climb up to the tarn with good camping and easy access to the eastern end of Mt Symons.
3.5km Left and ford creek.
3.7 ATV track on right to Mt Symons with good views of Gold Range and Sitkum area.
4.0km Road splits n meadow and ends. Paint Lake is just below. Climb the ridges to the west of the lake for views down to Margie Lake in Monashee PP.