101 Awesome Adventures Blog-Kimberley BC

#71 Dewar Creek Hot Springs

2011-09-27T10:50:00.000-06:00

Bugle Basin

A trip to Dewar Creek Hot Springs is a great way to start off the fall season in the Kootenays after an end to a great rafting season. This hike can be done in a day but at 11 km one way, our party of four decided to do it in two. The trail head is about one and a half hours from Kimberley, so for a relaxed pace we recommend camping at the trail head the first night. There are several books that highlight this hike, as well as how to get there and information about the area can be found online through BC Parks and the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. Hikers follow the Wesley Creek trail into the alpine as the path climbs a modest elevation under the canopy shade of an old growth forest. The trail is more often than not muddy and moist crossing mountain springs and avalanche meadows. The undergrowth this time of year is a full spectrum of color, berries and birdsong. After about 1.5-2 hours the trail splits and hikers head uphill, the left hand trail being longer and more suited for horses. We arrived at the springs after about 3 hours hike and camped at Bugle Basin, 5 minutes past the springs in a field surrounded by stunning mountain views. For the campsites, there is a food locker and a throne with a vantage point fit for a king or queen! We visited the springs twice that evening gobbling down supper between visits to see them both in the light and the dark. The springs are a very important part of the ecosystem here, providing minerals for many species in the area. The one pool, large enough for 6, would have been too hot if not for cold water added to it. That evening was clear and without any light pollution, the star gazing from the hot pool was well worth all the effort. We all agreed we slept like a bear in winter that night in our tents, the heat from the pools radiating slowing away, falling asleep to the elk whistling in the distance.

#38 Tanglefoot Lake/Mause Creek.

2011-09-27T10:40:00.000-06:00

Mause Creek Tarns

Mine shaft

One of the most memorable hikes to do in this area, this adventure offers a little bit of everything as well as a reason to do it more than once. Easily accessed from Cranbrook and Kimberley, the Mause Creek road is found off the Wardner-Fort Steele road. The trail from the parking area at the end of Mause Creek road is an old road crossing the creek in few places. It is more easily crossed after spring run-off is finished. For an extra cardio workout, you could push your mountain bike up to where the road ends and the narrow hiking trail begins at the abandoned Victor Gold Mine. A great ride back down to the parking area awaits after your hike back from the lake. There are remnants along the trail of the old mine and a tricky scramble up a loose rock slope on the other side of the creek, brings you to the mineshaft with the old rails leading back into the mountain a few hundred meters. This was a chilling undertaking after having spotted a wolverine crossing the slope just down the road from the mine! Back at the road, the trail forks heading into the forest on the left, the shorter route or follow along the creek and then left into a steep gully. Both trails rejoin at the Mause Creek tarns. The tarns are nothing short of spectacular and camping here under a full moon, the rock face looking towards Tanglefoot pass has veins of lighter color rock that glow in the moonlight. Tangelfoot Lake can be reached in one full day and has the best campsite, surrounded by giant boulders on the left edge of the lake. To reach the lake you have to hike over Tanglefoot Pass which offers an amazing view point. Route finding along the slide path down to the lake can be difficult, don't forget your map and compass! The campsite at the lake looks towards Windy Pass which if you have the time, allows access to other great hikes, views of Dibble Glacier, lakes, waterfalls and wilderness camping in this area.

# 89 Explore the Kimberley Nature Park

2011-07-08T11:09:00.001-06:00

Just a short hike or bike ride from many backdoor steps in Kimberley, is the Nature Park. At 1800 acres, it is one of the largest municipal parks in Canada and all four seasons offer those that live and visit here, unique adventures just a stone’s throw from downtown. http://kimberleynaturepark.rockies.net/

With a day off, a few Kimberley Raft Company river guides laced up, grabbed our bikes and entered the park one evening to take in some of the excellent viewpoints and explore the terrain. The park has a large number of entrances and exits. Our group of four accessed the trails off of Swan Ave and climbed up Overwaitea hill. From there, we grunted up Suicide Trail to Romantic Ridge. The park has many signposts and trail maps that show up just as the traveler wonders, ‘where to next?’ The extensive trail system allows choice between easy to moderate to challenging. That evening we decided to challenge Myrtle Mountain. After turning back on Army Rd when we spotted 2 black bear cubs on the trail and before mama made her appearance, we headed up Mountain Mine Rd. A moderate hike or bike, this trail leads you up to an amazing view on top of Myrtle Mountain. Our group, not being the type to go back from whence we came, choose the challenging Soul Shakedown to descend. The trail has been unmarked, since it has been overlooked for maintenance in years. It’s steep and tricky and full suspension is needed. It’s not for the faint of heart and there are easier ways to descend Myrtle Mountain. We joined up with Duck Pond Trail to Lower Army Rd for a great ride down before popping out on Higgins St. Give yourself a few hours in the park, time flies in exploring minds. There’s lots more trail out there to enjoy this summer and when the snow settles we’ll be back for more Nature Park adventures on the Nordic skis. Happy Trails.

# 48: Car Camp up Bootleg Mtn

2011-07-03T15:14:00.001-06:00

Car camping makes being spontaneous an option!

An easy drive from Kimberley, Bootleg Mountain offers easy access to the alpine. Thanks to recent pine beetle logging, there are several roads that get up high for stellar views. From up here we can see the entire whitewater rafting run we offer on the St Mary's river. We left k-town at 7 pm and were able to have a great smoky roast with a rediculous view of the Rocky Mtn trench and the Steeple range in behind. Magnifique. Just take the next right after Matthew creek (Up the St Mary's Valley road), and keep climbing to the 6 km mark. Turn left and follow the main road up until you hit and old logging landing. Park and enjoy!

Visit an avalanche slide path-up close on the Bull river!

2011-05-14T16:21:00.001-06:00

Approaching the slide path-earlier the water plowed a tunnel straight through!

The Bull river boasts some of the Kimberley area's best early season whitewater. So early in fact, that Bull Mountain, the Most southerly peak in the Steeples mtn range, has a south facing avalanche path that runs right across the river!

Starting at Km 33 up the Bull river road, about an hour from Kimberley, this river run winds it's way eastward draining the Rocky mountains. Crazy nice views are had of the back of the Steeples as you look up to Dibble Glacier.


coming into the lower canyon

This trip usually runs until early July, depending on the snowpack. Check out more details here...

#42 Go Jumbo

2011-02-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

OK so this really isn't in Kimberley per se. But it's in our neck of the woods, and a great 2-3 day side trip if you are coming to or live in the East Kootenays...Jumbo pass is a monster of a pass dividing the Purcell mountains west of Invermere, about a 3 drive from Kimberley (or 5 day ski, as we did in 2004, from Kimberley to Jumbo on the "Southern Purcell traverse-but that's another story).

Looking toward Jumbo area from Glacier Creek.

I write this 2 cents of mine in support of the area and my friend Bruce, whose family is a great asset to Kimberley. Bruce Kirby's latest Globe article is a good primer on the political going's on of the area. In my opinion, to occupy an area is to protect it; meaning you read this, you like this, you go there, you like it, you want to protect it etc...
There is a cabin at the 2350m pass, which makes for great fall hiking to local peaks while the alpine larch turn golden yellow. In the winter, the ski touring is superlative, with a large variety of terrain and 2,500ft ski runs. Jumbo pass get sooo much snow, that one time, friends of mine arrived in the eve to stay at the cabin. They couldn't find the blasted thing, despite both of them being excellent mountain peeps, and were forced to bivy (makeshift camp) for the night. In the morning, they woke up beside the little bit of chimney that was exposed-the whole darn thing was buried!
It is about a 3hrs hike to the cabin, and mountain route-finding is a requisite skill. Unless you want less exercise and prefer to spend cash instead of calories, you can hire a chopper from RK Heli skiing at Panorama. For more info on the cabin & reservations, the Columbia Valley Hut society manages it and the reservations...
If you haven't been you should go, find out what the fuss is all about. Then come back and get involved in the debate, or just simply smile awash in great memories of some incredible, not too hard-but not too easy to access back-country wonderland...

#6: Go winter camping

2011-01-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

Camping. In the winter. Really?

It's actually more fun than it sounds. Think about it; no bugs, the ground is level where ever you want to sleep, and you get get to ski powder.
KRC river guides Monte and Lija were preparing for a great 2 month ski touring trip to India, so they wanted to test drive their gear. We headed up a tributary to our St Mary's river rafting run, Meachen creek. Known for steep mountains and ample snow, it was an ideal spot for exploration.

A snow quarry built snow cave

The snow cave: when well built, these things are actually pretty comfy, and insulate you from the exterior ambient temperature.


Mega mid life

Myself I prefer the "Mega mid" , a black diamond floorless tent. These babies are sweet because you can dig out and customize your living area.

Looking South to Mt Snowcrest

Last but not least is getting high Kootenay Style. A very satisfying winter camping trip around Kimberley would inevitably get your legs burning and up into the alpine, with stunning views and hopefully some great powder skiing.

Kimberley Trails Society::Good stuff going on...

2010-12-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Are you into walking hiking or Mountain biking in the Kimberley area? Then read on...The Kimberley trails society was established in 2009 to help preserve trails we currently have, and to be able to build some new sanctioned trails. But do we really need a society, with all the insurance, the paper work and meetings?! I just wanna ride, right?! Well let me give you an example of what happens when you don't have an official organization...Over the past couple of years, many people have been helping build the "Around the Mountain", digging shovelling and brushing with incredible speed! This trail circumnavigates (big word for a river guide, I know) Northstar Mountain, home to Kimberley Alpine Resort, joining up with the Kimberley Nature park and makes it way back to town. SWEET! however, due to extensive Pine beetle kill in the forest, logging operations took place over the first few kms of the trail, decimating countless hours of volunteer work and technical singletrack for hiking N biking... Many people got out raged; how could "YOU" let this happen? How could Kimberley Alpine resort be complicit in allowing this to happen? Well the trail was unsanctioned at the time, meaning not an official trail with the Ministry. The resort had no agreement in place allowing people to cross over their land tenure to access this trail...The better question is really, where is the next place for this to happen? ! People love to build sections of trail everywhere around Kimberley, but unless they are gps'd, and inventoried as official trails, they are potentially ALL IN JEOPARDY OF BEING MOWED DOWN! Enter the KTS. As an official society, with insurance (gratefully acknowledging the City for it's support), can meet with stakeholders, and even offer them indemnity insurance for people on their land. Working with the ministry, these trails can potentially gain official trail status, and thereby having some consultation prior to modification (CLEARCUTTING for example). Other good things the society is doing is organizing work parties to build new trails. In June of 2010, KTS hired some IMBA (intnt'l Mtn Bike Ass) dudes from Rossland to come and share their trail building expertise. Again this was done in the optic of having long term sustainability of the trails. If you want more info on upcoming projects, or would like to join the mailing list, ceck out the KTs web site here... https://sites.google.com/site/kimberleytrailssociety/home Cheers, Craig

River Stories, Brand new theme for a float back through time...

2010-06-06T18:11:00.001-06:00

New for 2010 is a great new river product based out of Fort Steele. With the tourism market become increasing well versed in adventure tours (many people have done many types of tours), the trend in the market is for new, authentic and enriching activities. Enter RiverStories.ca A joint effort between the St Eugene Mission, Fort Steele and the Kimberley Raft Co, this new product aims to wow with the scenery, while at the same time stimulate with voices of the past...Be immersed in the rich stories of the Ktunaxa, the first nations people that originally settled here. Explore the exploits of adventurers like David Thompson as he arrived from the East and mapped the area...

Representatives from the three partners on an inaugural river run late May. This trip will be starting up mid June and sold from the St Eugene Misson front desk, at Fort Steele, and online at www.riverstories.ca...

Mountains are people too-Skiing Mt Irish Queen

2010-03-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Recently Dave Quinn, Quintessential Kimberley Adventure type, called me to tell me he had skiied Mt Irish Queen on the border of the St Mary's Alpine Park. If you have rafted Dewar Creek you may remember this large photogenic peak from the river . Once my jealousy subsided I asked Dave to to a guest post,as this is surely a new k town classic...

Mountains are people too. Or at least our minds create a personality for them. Specific mountains have haunted, inspired, and lured us humans since we found the time to look up and allow our imaginations to wander the ridges and summits of the inaccessible roof of our world.

The Irish Queen has called to me for years - sixteen of them, to be exact. I first gazed longingly at her snow-draped form on a 1994 ski traverse across St. Mary's Alpine Park. From the summit of her neighbour, Mount Manson, her steep, powder-guilded slopes seemed to whisper a seductive 'ski me' into our ears.

But the Queen has a dark side - the 4600-foot (1400-meter) run from her summit entails a committing 4600-foot (1400-metre) climb from valley bottom, a disturbingly committing drop into a steep, exposed and crusty southeast face that forms the pinnacle of a kilometre-wide avalanche start zone. This daunting initiation funnels into a steep, northeast-facing powder run for another 3500 feet (1060-meter) into one of the wildest avalanche terrain traps in the area.

On that late February day her brilliant white summit, lit in soft early morning sunlight, loomed like a beacon above us as we travelled up Dewar Creek.

"Ski me," she whispered, a little louder this time.

Low cloud. No wind. No substantial snow for weeks. Still cold enough to stay stable, and supple. All the signs pointed to some of the best snow stability we were ever likely to encounter on this massive face. We decided to check her out.

The bottom of the avalanche path felt like April - all the springs and main creek totally exposed, and a solid melt-freeze crust on the snow. Moose tracks everywhere. We reach the main gully and stick to the thick trees along the side, crossing the main path farther up to hug thicker trees to the ridge. All good so far - no consolidation in the last storm snow, so less worry about large slabs releasing, and no results on stability tests on small, unsupported features. We continue on up the ridge.

The last 200 meters up the ridge to the summit looks steep from head-on, but eases back when we get on to it to allow moderately technical skinning all the way to the summit. Broken clouds hover just above Irish Queen's b8700 foot (2600 metre) summit, and dappled sunlight highlights the slope below as I rip off my skins.

The entire south Purcells is spread out under the blanket of broken cloud, and seems to hum in anticipation. St. Mary's Alpine Park and it's granite cliffs. Dewar Creek and the West fork rolling off into the distance. The vastness of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy and it's sea of glaciated peaks extend to the far horizon. Could a more perfect vista exist?

With a hoot and a prayer I finally answer the Irish Queen's call, and drop in to the ski line of my dreams...

Dave and his wife Kelly run, amongst other cool things, a Kimberley Based company called TREEHOUSE OUTDOOR EDUCATION (http://www.treehouseoutdoored.com/)

Radiant Peak-A long time love affair & 1st descent

2010-02-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

There are different kinds of back country adventures; Some are just to get outside, climb high and chill with friends and enjoy people. And some of it is for a mission or-'Objective skiing' as I like to call it...That what this day was all about...The objective of Radiant Peak.

Having hiked, kayaked in skied in the Wilderness Conservancy for years, I have eyed up this luscious, undulating south Face of Radiant many times. With such a large exposed face covered with avalanche start zones and massive slide paths, the timing had always been elusive to ski this beauty with a good margin of safety. Being a south face means it would be a ski attempted early season, before the warm sun covers her with an icy crust...And this was the year! AS with any good trip, it starts with planning: calculating how much time it would take to get to the top. With a 5 km approach and about 4500 ft of elevation to climb, we figured it to be about a 5 hr trip to the top-if all goes well...(in general you can buget 1 hr for every 1000 ft of vert, on top of travelling 3-5 km per hr). We made it within 15 mins of our guesstimated time, which is always a measure of one`s mountain sense. Although I must admit, it wouldn`t have been so if it were`t for Dan bustin the trail like he does for a living! After a short boopack and some sastrugi (word of the day from dictionary .com- (sā-stroo'gee-)

Long, wavelike ridges of snow, formed by the wind, Sastrugi are usually up to several meters high and are often parallel to the prevailing wind direction) we summited and ripped off our skins...

A sweet, long ski down with ridges and gullies, big trees and open alpine, and ouf course, fresh powder...I had to force myself to do turns as the skiing is just so creamy you want to keep going !

Cap it all of with a night of winter camping and a flask of Scotch means one good night of sleep and batteries recharged!!

Ski touring in the purcell Mountains-December 15

2009-12-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Gutbomb. That's the affectionate term for an A&W breakfast, that typically starts off an early morning touring venture from Kimberley. Fill the snow machines at the local gas station; wave to some passer by (sucka!) that is going to work. Amongst friends we drive up the valley to the starting point and unload the sleds. Strap your gear on and cruise in search of a new and fresh line. Like this one up Mayo lake. Steep , deep and well spaced trees. 5 cms of fresh cold slow snow on top of 20-30 cms of facets...(Rotting snow due to the recent cold temperatures). Thankfully the cold has not penetrated the full depth of the snowpack, making it a super unstable & uncohesive mass. There is a pretty solid layer below, however loaded up with more snow it could certainly create problems...to be monitored ... At -15 it was cold at ridge-line, but stellar to be out, and can't wait to go again...

Story 1: First Descent of Pinnacle Creek, June 2003

2009-04-24T16:03:00.000-06:00

Purcell Wilderness Overland kayak expedition: Stehane Poirier & Craig Campbell, June 2002 Adventure 1 stands as my best ever.

A kayaking first descent in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy: arguably the most beautiful place in my world. The largest protected piece of land in South easten BC, this wilderness area is home to huge ungulates and lots of Grizzlies... Day 1: Steph Poirier, ami par excellence, joined me in blind faith. Having stuffed the gear we needed for 4 nights into our kayaks, we hooked them to our lifejackets and dragged them 10km to the Dewar Creek Hot springs. Here we spendt the night. Day 2, drizzly day with 400m visibility. We hiked up a 2500ft avalanche path dragging our boats while kick stepping up a spring corn snow. From the pass, Hall Peak , a huge granite wall hung in the back ground just barely in sight. After post holing and roping our boats down the west slope, we were now in super rugged terrain-no trails, no roads, no nothin`but a 30 km paddle out to Kootenay lake. That night Steph and I huddled together on the limit of hypotheria after a super soaked day with our minimalist gear. Day 3: Creek boating a small alpine stream, alternating with portages from the innumerable slide paths choking the creek with debris. Once at the confluence with Fry Creek, everything became paddleable, as the river was now wide enough to paddle around ( or under!) most obstructions. Non stop grade 3 & 4 whitewater, dotted with calm pools and huge moose! That night we would reach the drier climate of the West slope of the Purcells as we exited the spine of the mountain range. With the barometer rising & the weather breaking, a warm fire and a glowing sunset stoked us for a great sleep and comfortable camping-an incredible and appreciated contrast to the previous day`s harsh conditions. Day 4- the paddle out to Kootenay lake. The crux of the trip would be Fry Creek Canyon. This Grade 5 stretch of whitewater is only navigable by experts in the low flows of Aug & September. However, we were mid June, as we needed the medium flows to make the upper Pinnacle creek and Fry Creeks navigable. Having hiked the entire trip the fall previous, I knew we would be hiking the last 8 km around the final canyon. That we did, arriving at the beach on Kootenay lake at the conflunce of Fry Creek at sun set. We were out, and needed only to cross Kooteny lake to meet Mooks, our shuttle driver that had driven around to meet us from Kimberley. AS I write this I can feel the calming endorphine rush of cleasensed adrenal glands that accompanied the final paddle across the lake. A peaceful feeeling having passed through a magical protected wilderness, and having been challenged in every facet an adventure can.