This mountain is only one hour from Rossland and has great views of the town. It is part of the network of mountain biking trails that Rossland is famous for.
Difficulty: A1 easy
Distance: 4 km round trip or slightly longer with a different descent.
Elevation: +125 m
Season: early April to early November
There are two options. Use them both to make a loop
1. Drive to the top of Kirkup Avenue in Rossland, just before it meets Highway 3B. Park for the Centennial Trail. The map has the junctions marked “KC” trail.
Trail. Ascend the old road and turn right to a gate. Follow the signed junction to the left to start hiking through the forest passing a water tower.
1.5 km. Reach a big junction with multiple trails heading off in all directions. The signed KC trail climbs the final hill to the viewpoint with 2 scenic benches, overlooking Rossland.
Return the same way or descend the west face of KC down to Rossland for a bigger loop.
2. Drive. From Columbia Ave/Washington St: Go east on Columbia for 3 blocks, left up Monte Christo Street for 4 blocks, right down 4th Ave for 2 blocks, left on Georgia St and keep right on Columbia-Kootenay Rd (gravel) for 1km, past the gate and kiosk.
Trail. Continue on the rough gravel road as it rounds the east end of the mountain and passes the road that leads to the Coffee Run, the mining school area and the old Columbia-Kootenay mine with a closed tunnel and some ore dumps. Continue to the NW corner of the mountain and a 4-way junction.
Turn acutely left and ascend the NW ridge to the summit and great views of Rossland, Warfield and down to Trail.
Descend the same way to the junction at the saddle between Columbia-Kootenay and Monte Christo mountains. This is the old Coyote Swamp Trail. If on a short evening walk, turn left and descend to McLeod Avenue and home. Or continue west around the north side of Monte Christo Mt to come back to Rossland down Kirkup Avenue, Plewman Way and Washington Street on the Centennial Trail above. Or continue right on Coyote Swamp heading NW to Red Mountain.
