Backpack - Glory Basin & Kaslo Lake

7/29 Meet 7:30am at  junction highway 3A .8 mile E of Kokanee Creek Prov. Park (approx. 12 miles NE of Nelson, BC).  Arrive at TH by 8:15am.

All vehicles parked overnight at/near Kokanee Glacier trailhead (for Kokanee Lk-Kaslo Lk)  are strongly recommended to have chicken wire wrap (see route/place link for details).  Also recommended for most other Selkirk/Purcell backpacks.

Recommend camping/motel stay evening prior and/or following backpack in Slocan or Nelson area - Springer Creek RV Park (Slocan), Kokanee Creek Prov Park (just E of Nelson, near turnoff to Kokanee Glacier PP), or Nelson (municipal CG).

Updated 7-19:  Leader monitoring air quality in area (currently good) and control efforts for small lighting-sparked fires in W Kootenay on 7-17 between Slocan Lake and N Kootenay Lake.  No wildfires in Kokanee Glacier park. 

Members only.  Minimum 3 persons.  Leader permission required. 

Submit leader permission requests, with complete responses to all questions (to follow soon).  Read all leader notes and route/place including links, before submitting request for leader permission. 

Leader permission request forms will include complete responses with following information:  provide examples of your recent (during last 12-24 mo) Mountaineers (at least one) and private 3+day moderate to strenuous backpacks (incl location, mileage, elev gain), planned backpacks between now and 7/20, primary interests in this particular trip (backpack, photography, other).  Current fitness activities, approx pack weight (base & total) for comparable multi-night backpack,  comfort/experience with travel over potential early summer snow fields, comfort/experience with back country travel/camping in grizzly habitat including agreeing to carry bear spray, transportation plans (drive or need ride, carpool interest), have current passport for border crossing, and your commitment level to this backpack. 

Relaxed pace to moderate pace, to accommodate photo opportunities near camp and occasional stops along trails/routes. 

Daily itinerary  (relaxed pace uphill/1-1.5 mph uphill; relaxed to moderate pace flats/descents/1.5-2 mph)

Day 1:  TH Gibson Lake (5,040’) via forest flowers and expansive wildflower meadows enroute to Kokanee Lake, Keen Lake, Garland Lake, and the larger Kaslo Lake (campsites at S end of lake, 6,470’).  Explore Kaslo Lake area and short hike (approx 2 mi RT, 400' gain/loss to historic Slocan Chief Cabin.  Afternoon/evening photography,  swim, relaxing. Approx 5 miles, 1500' gain to camp + optional short hike with light pack to Kokanee Glacier and Slocan Chief Cabins.   Kaslo Lake backcountry camp ($10Can/night, see Kokanee Glacier PP link to backcountry camping info) at has tent pads, cooking shelter, pit toilet and bear-proof food storage.

Day 2:  Partial to full day hike, mostly trail and some route travel.  We'll ascend Enterprise Pass, visit Lemon Pass, Griffin creek/tarns, upper and lower Sapphire Lakes and higher country beyond up to approx 7,900.'  Explore Glory Basin's open, gentle terrain filled with tarns, creeklets, rocky slabs, mossy gardens, and wildflowers.  Approx 6-8+ miles RT, 1,500-2,000+ feet gain/loss.

Day 3:  Full day hike on Kokanee Glacier and Smugglers Ridge trails (via Slocan Chief cabin and connector between both trails), and routes up to approx 8,600.’ Explore gentle to moderate trails along lakes and tarns, mossy creeklets, wildflower meadows, ascending slopes and ridges, and talus slopes up to approx 8,600’ to spectacular glacier/alpine views.  Approx 7.5-9 miles and up to 2,170’ gain/loss

Day 4:  Return same route as Day 1 to TH mid-afternoon or earlier.  Approx 5 miles, 1500' loss. 

Backcountry camp at Kaslo Lake (approx $10Can/night, leader to verify if per person or site, payable at campground kiosk or to ACC cabin host). 

Trail description/photos:  https://hikebiketravel.com/the-stunning-hike-to-the-kokanee-glacier-cabin/

Sapphire Lakes/Griffin Crk tarns/Glory Basin descr/photos: https://westkootenayhiking.ca/sapphire-lakes/

Snowfree trails.  Conditions report:  https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/kokanee_glacier_park_trail_report_62815749ec.pdf

Grizzly safe travel and camping practices required.  Bear spray required.

Be aware of 7.5 - 8 hours approx drive time from Seattle to Slocan or Nelson BC area.  High clearance AWD-type vehicles (and at least 1 full spare tire) recommended for travel on gravel/dirt forest roads accessing trailheads in Kootenay region.

Arrive prior afternoon/evening for front country accommodations in/near Slocan:  Slocan's Springer Creek CG & RV Park, or Kokanee Creek Prov Park (E of Nelson, near turnoff  or nearby motels/lodges.  The small community of Sloan has groceries, cafes, gas, etc.  Alternate front country camp:  Kokanee Creek Provincial Park (approx 12 mi NE of Nelson). 

Consider extending your back country explorations in the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains with one or more premier scenic West Kootenay hikes/backpacks (Monica Mdws, Jumbo Pass, Valhalla Prov Park-Gwillim Lakes - non-Mountaineers) preceding or following this backpack.   See info links on route/places or on West Kootenay hiking website.  

Following the Kokanee backpack, during July 31-Aug 3, participants are welcome to join leader on private hikes to Monica Meadows and Jumbo Pass, with camping options near S end of Duncan Lake or N Kootenay Lake.  July 29 camping option may be available at nearby Kaslo CG.