Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park

Hiking

Attention: Backcountry Campers and Hikers

The Slocan Chief Cabin and the Kalmia Lake campground will no longer be available for overnight use.

There is a fee for camping and cabin use in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Kokanee Glacier, Woodbury and Silver Spray Cabins are maintained and reserved through the Alpine Club of Canada. Woodbury (sleeps 8) and Silver Spray (sleeps 10). You must be prepared to camp out if the cabin is full.

For the winter season, from November 1 through to May 31, the occupancy of the Kokanee Glacier Cabin is limited to 12 and availability is offered through a lottery system managed by the Alpine Club of Canada - there is no availability for walk-ins, reservations are required.

The Kokanee Glacier Cabin accommodates up to 20 from June 1 through to October 31; this is the summer operating season. For the summer season, it is recommended that you make reservations if you want to be assured of a bed to sleep in. If the public chooses to walk-in and there are beds available, you can register at that time.

Several peaks and traverse routes can be reached from these cabins. These are only for experts with appropriate mountaineering skills and equipment.

It is recommended for overnight stays that you surround your vehicle with chicken wire to protect it from porcupines that like to chew on rubber.

Following is a list of Kokanee Glacier's various camping areas and the trails that meander through the park.

Gibson Lake Trailhead Loop Trail: Easy 2.5 km, on hour return hike, elevation at the trailhead is 1,536 metres. Trail access is from Hwy 3A, 19 km north of Nelson. Follow the gravel road for 16 km to the parking lot at Gibson Lake. Amenities include picnic tables, pit toilet, a day-use shelter and fishing. There are great views of surrounding peaks and old mine workings. Camping and fires are not allowed.

Gibson Lake to Slocan Chief Cabin Trail: Moderate, 8.3 km approx 4 hours, elevation gain/loss: 590/100 metres. Stay on the trails and camp only on constructed tent pads to protect the fragile environment.

Gibson Lake to Kokanee Lake: Moderate, 4 km, 2 hours, elevation gain: 445 metres. While fishing, watch for marmots and pikas along the side of Kokanee Lake. Camping at this lake and feeding of any animals in the park is prohibited.

Kokanee Lake to Kaslo Lake: This is an easy 3 km hike; approx 1.5 hours; elevation gain 40/100 metres. Facilities include 8 tent pads, pit toilet, bear-proof food cache, cooking centre and a grey water pit. There is fishing in Keen, Garland and Kaslo Lakes and beautiful alpine meadows, This is a fragile area, so please stay on the trails and camp only on the constructed tent pads.

Kaslo Lake( north end) to the Slocan Chief Cabin: Moderate, 1.3 km; .5 hours; this hike has an elevation gain of 105 metres.

Enterprise Creek to Slocan Chief Cabin Trail: Moderate, 10.2 km, 5 hours, elevation gain: 759/107 metres, elevation at the trailhead 1, 340. Trail is accessed from Hwy 6, 14.5 km north of Slocan City. Follow the logging road for 13 km (straight ahead at the forks---don't cross the creek) to the parking lot and trailhead.

Enterprise Creek to Tanal Lake: Moderate, 6.4 km, 3 hours, elevation gain: 409 metres. Good fishing is offered. Facilities include 2 tent pads, pit toilet, grey water pit and bear-proof food cache.

Tanal Lake to Kaslo Lake: Moderate, 2.5 km, 1.5 hours, elevation gain/loss is 245 metres/107 metres.

Enterprise Creek to Blue Grouse Basin Trail: Moderate, 6.4 km, 3 hours, elevation gain 540 metres. No facilities are provided.

Keen Creek Drainage to Slocan Chief Cabin Tail: Easy to moderate, 7.5/5 km, 3.5/3 hours elevation gain 452 metres. Hwy 31A and Keen Creek Rd access the trailhead at Desmond Creek parking lot. The trail begins on an easy road and then progresses to a harder trail after the Joker Millsite at 7.5 km. During berry season (mid-August to early October) Keen Creek Drainage to Slocan Chief Cabin trail is closed to allow bears to feed. Joker Lakes and area are ideal grizzly bear habitat so the trails are not maintained and not recommended for travel.

Woodbury Trailhead - Two trailheads are accessible from Hwy 31. Follow the logging road for 12 km to the parking lot. Sunset Lake trailhead is at the parking lot. The trailhead to Woodbury Creek and Silver Spray cabins is 1 kilometre farther.

Woodbury Creek To Woodbury Cabin Trail: - Moderate, 8 km, 4 hours, elevation gain: 762 metres, trailhead elevation: 1,321 metres. The 8-person cabin, built in 1984, is located north of Woodbury Glacier with a tenting area nearby.

Woodbury Creek Trailhead to Silver Spray Cabin Trail: Difficult, 7 km, 5 hours, elevation gain: 1,016 metres. This trail is steep with many switchbacks. The 10-person cabin, built in 1994, is located south of Sunrise Mountain with a tenting area nearby. The area is rich in mining history and flower meadows.

Woodbury Creek to Sunset Lake Trail: Easy, 3 km, 1.5 hours, elevation gain 193 metres. Hike for one kilometre up the Scranton Mine Road to the trail. Enjoy the scenic views while fishing. Camping and fires are NOT allowed.

LEMON CREEK TO THE SLOCAN CHIEF TRAIL: Moderate, 14.3 km, 7.5 hours. Access from Hwy 6, 8 km south of Slocan City and follow the logging road for 16 km to the trailhead. This trail is not maintained and may not be clear in some sections.

Lemon Creek to Sapphire Lakes: Moderate, 9.8 km, 5 hours, elevation gain: 950 metres. Facilities located at the east end of the lake include food cache, cooking centre, grey water pit and toilet. Some of the attractions are the old-growth forest, waterfalls and remnants of an old mine cabin.

Sapphire Lakes, Lemon Pass, Kaslo Lake to Slocan Chief Cabin: Moderate, 4.5 km, 2.5 hours, elevation gain/loss: 105/320 metres.

Return to Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.