Shoulder Soldiers
Weather, or not, it’s get-out-and-go-time — by bike, boot, and boat. Creston-based Trench writer Danette Polzin outlines your East Kootenay early season adventure ops amongst the melt, mud, and springtime sizzle.
Banksy — Eager riders earn their turns with lofty berms on the Chewbacca Rocka trail in the Cranbrook Community Forest. Robin Munshaw Photo, Courtesy of Cranbrook Tourism
As the days grow longer, many of us are struck by our annual yearning for snug hiking boots and the weight of a loaded pack — only to be stalled by the mountains’ lingering snow. But we don’t want that to stop you from grabbing your gear and hitting the trail!
And so, behold: a list of our top-ten shoulder season hikes in the East Kootenay, as well as our favourite destinations for paddlers and mountain bikers — all perfectly suited for this transitional time of year.
The locations can all be accurately located on Google Maps, and most are on TrailForks. Please practice responsible and safe trail use: check weather and trail conditions before you go; prepare for all elements and emergencies; leave no trace; and follow trail use guidelines. And have fun out there!
Although our chosen ten hikes are in no particular order, the first four are our top picks for their ease of access, sense of adventure, and ability to be a full-day outing — plus, three of them even have potential for spring polar plunging. Brrr!
Walk It Off
Put some springtime sole power to the test on these early season sojourns.
Pilot Bay Provincial Park
Distance: 4 - 7 km roundtrip
Time: 2 - 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
A year-round destination, Pilot Bay Provincial Park takes up a section of the Pilot Peninsula on Kootenay Lake, and offers several access points to pebbled beaches. With cedar groves woven through the forest and wooden bridges crossing small streams, it’s easy to be swept away by this surely enchanted forest. (Note that bikes are not permitted inside the park.)
Silver Spring Lakes
Distance: 8.5 km
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Close to Elko, B.C., you will find not one, not two, but three lakes nestled together, each of them stunning with dramatic rock walls towering over glistening turquoise waters. A growing sense of serenity is achieved with each lake visited, the third offering the option to perch on giant moss-covered rocks for lunch. Silver Spring Rim — a more physical and adventurous hike, with almost 500 metres of elevation gain and a 9 km round trip — is another option, offering panoramic views of the lakes below.
Spring ting — The crystal-clear waters of Silver Spring Lakes are popular swimming locales when the weather warms. Danette Polzin Photo
Premier Lake Loop
Distance: 7 km
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
An early season favourite, this is an essential for Columbia Valley hikers. Each lake is more breathtaking than the next, boasting brilliant hues of green and blue that reflect tree-swathed shorelines and a lofty mountain backdrop. Some of the high points along the trail offer glimpses of Premier Lake below, and it’s possible to add a 2 km detour to Cat’s Eye Lake at the beginning or end of your outing.
Old Coach Loop / Deja View
Distance: 15.5 km circuit
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Old Coach runs between Radium Hot Springs and Dry Gulch, and can be turned into a circuit with the addition of Deja View. The trail’s nearly full sun exposure makes it a top pick for early season access, and plenty of bluffs offer dramatic views of the Columbia River wetlands and Purcell Mountains. The Old Coach trail is steeped in fascinating history, and signage along the way tells its tales. Those wanting a shorter, easier outing can simply pick one of several entrance points and enjoy the trail until ready to turn around.
Balancing Rock / Fern Forest / Mt. Creston
Distance: 2 - 7 km
Time: 1 - 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Hikers can choose their own adventure, based on their desired difficulty and length, and trails can be hiked either out-and-back, or as a circuit. Fern Forest boasts lush cedar groves towering above Summit Creek, and Balancing Rock is more challenging with its short, steep, and exposed push to a gorgeous viewpoint that overlooks the Creston Valley. Continue further up to meet the namesake rock, and even further to ascend Mt. Creston, where you’ll find more views and a seasonal waterfall.
Eager Hill / Cranbrook Community Forest
Distance: Varied
Time: Varied
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
Another choose-your-own-adventure trail system, this spot has many access points and ample options for all abilities — from short, gentle forest wanders to glute-busting climbs with sweeping views of the Rockies. It’s an excellent location for both hikers and cyclists looking for adventure, springtime and year-round.
Look here, sun— A hiker takes in the spectacular views offered on the Windy Bluff trail in the Cranbrook Community Forest. FieldandForest.co Photo, Courtesy of Kootenay Rockies Tourism
Wycliffe Buttes
Distance: 4km (1st butte), 8.5-10km (2nd butte)
Time: 1.5 - 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
The trail to the first butte is accessible year-round, with two different access points and the option to hike it as a circuit. The expansive landscape bursts with crocuses and balsamroot in Spring, and offers sweeping panoramic views of both the Rockies and Purcells. Most travelers only complete the first butte, but the odd hiker looking for a longer trek will head to the second. Please support conservation of these grasslands by sticking to the trails.
Sunflower Hill / Kimberley Nature Park
Distance: Varied
Time: Varied
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
With plenty of trail options for all abilities, and several access points, the Sunflower Hill Loop remains a local favourite for early-season outings. With almost full sun exposure, balsamroot flowers bursting across the landscape in Spring, and breathtaking views of the St. Mary River Valley, it’s not hard to see why. Hikers can add in any number of other routes, and mountain bikers may also score some early-season rides.
Fairy Creek Falls
Distance: 4.5 km
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
A year-round Fernie favourite for almost all ages and abilities, this hike is most impressive during Spring’s high waters, when the waterfall is at its most glorious. The trails leading to the falls meander the lush lower slopes of Mount Proctor.
Marion Benchlands
Distance: 12.5 km
Time: 3 - 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
An esteemed conservation project with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Marion Benchlands offer amazing views, opportunities for wildlife sightings, and trails ranging from old roads to single tracks that please hikers and mountain bikers alike. It’s usually accessible by the end of March.
Water Baby
A selection of paddles to, well, wet your appetite.
Lake life — Forget walking the dog; take Fido for a paddle. Abby Cooper Photo, Courtesy of Cranbrook Tourism
Kootenay River to Kootenay Lake
Adventurous paddlers looking for a longer outing can access Kootenay River in Creston and paddle to the mouth of Kootenay Lake. A vehicle drop or pick-up is required at one of the lake access points on Highway 3A. This paddle is recommended during high water when the river has a good current and even then, you can expect the journey to take several hours.
Valley views — Make time for play after your paddle when you land on the mouth of the Kootenay River at Kootenay Lake, just north of Creston. Danette Polzin Photo
Stoney Lake
Known to the locals as Stoney, but named on the map as Hahas, this small lake offers family-friendly paddling opportunities where a variety of birds and turtles are often sighted. Note that access requires driving a few kilometres on a forestry road.
Premier Lake
Located within the Provincial Park Campground, Premier Lake offers paddlers of all levels serene early season paddling in an idyllic mountain setting.
Lazy Lake
Approximately 20 minutes northeast of Wasa is a paddlers paradise: stunning green waters, towering cliffs, and bald eagles diving for their lunch provide you with a worthwhile early-season outing.
Rad Rides
Early season mud, sweat, and gears.
Three pointer — With over 20 kilometres of riding, the Montane Trail Network in Fernie provides a perfect day with friends. Vince Mo Photo, Courtesy of Tourism Fernie
Eager Hill / Cranbrook Community Forest
A variety of sun-exposed trails offer burns, berms, and turns for early season riders of all levels and abilities.
Kimberley Nature Park
From cross-country to downhill and gentle doubletrack to technical features, this extensive trail system offers something for everyone.
Swine Flu
An almost 7 km moderate-to-difficult loop accessed near the Fernie Visitor Information Centre makes you work for your rewards, but it’s definitely worth it. (The trail is typically inaccessible until late-April or early-May.)
Kloosifier
At just over 8 km, this blue-rated singletrack is a part of the Lillian Lake riding area outside of Invermere. Good sun exposure and fast, fun features make it a spring-riding hit.
Leave No Trace & Just Give’r (Back)
Whether on bikes or boots, always remember to pack out what you pack in, leaving nature fully intact. And bikers, don’t forget your Trail Karma: donations made through TrailForks provide volunteers with much-needed funding for building and maintenance. And remember your spring mountain biking etiquette: YES to firm trails in the morning and evening, NO to midday mud!
~ Danette Polzin
Find more full-length stories and more in The Trench’s Winter 2024/25 edition: