Valley Hot Spots
Bugaboo Falls
This is a road-side facility which provides a welcome break in the drive to the internationally-renowned Bugaboos. Handicapped facilities. Short wheelchair accessible trail provides views and photographic opportunities of the 10m high cascading waterfalls. This site is car accessible, about 44km west of Brisco. Turn off Highway 95 and follow The Bugaboo Forest Service Road to about 33km mark.
Mount Swansea Slopes
A very steep loop 4.5 km trail, with continuous valley views; reaches the peak via west slopes or south ridge routes; challenging spring and fall hiking; trailhead just above Windermere Loop Road and mine road.
Castle Rock
A steep 6 kilometer trail with 27 switchbacks to Castle Rock; good Columbia Valley view’s; popular for spring and fall hiking; trail starts west of the hydroline.
Lake of the Hanging Glacier
The Lake of the Hanging Glacier is the most popular trail in the District (8kms); and one of our personal favourites. The first portion of the trail follows an old roadway for two kilometres. The trail then narrows and ascends before crossing a footbridge over Hell Roaring Creek.
( Note: this footbridge is installed for the months of July through September only. Crossing when the creek is not bridged may be treacherous.)
A second bridged crossing takes you over HorsethiefCreek and then through mature forest gaining elevation over 13 moderate switchbacks. Detouring above a small slough, the trail continues a gradual climb to alpine meadows. Open camping and a toilet are available here. The lake and trail’s end are a further 800 metres through open meadows. The sharp glacier tongue is some 2.5 kmsfrom the north shore. A spectacular panorama of rugged peaks encircle the lake. One way takes approximately 2.5-3hours.
Access to the vicinity of the glacier is possible along the east shore over rocky terrain with no trails. Do not attempt to travel on glaciers without experience and proper equipment. Please do not camp or light fires along the lakeshore. Horse use is not recommended.
From Wilmer, drive north along the Westside Road for 16.4 kms to its junction with the HorsethiefFS Road. From Radium, at the Hwy 93/95 junction, drive west past the sawmill. Trailhead parking is at the end of Horsethiefroad at the 50km mark. Overnight camping is available at the Stockdale Creek FS Recreation Site at km 39.
Jumbo Pass
The steep ascent towards the alpine meadows of Jumbo Pass (5.2kms) begins along an old roadway. After 500 metres and two creek crossings (difficult at high water) turn right off of the roadbed onto the actual trail. The dense forest cover thins eventually breaking into a large avalanche path at the base of a vertical rock face, the northern flank of Bastille Mountain. The trail tread is less distinct beyond this halfway point and is identified by orange blazes and flagging. The route travels over several rock bands, through larch forested alpine meadows, and past small lakes as the pass is approached. Views in the pass area are expansive.
The Jumbo Pass Cabin, a B.C. Forest Service facility, is located 500 metres north of the pass. Reservations for overnight use must be made through the Invermere Forest District office. From Invermere; follow signs to Panorama Resort (18kms), and continue along the gravel Toby Creek road for 20 kmsto the abandoned Mineral King mine. Just past the tailings field turn right and follow the Jumbo Creek Forest Service Road north. Park along the road at the 15.8 km mark where a signed old spur road will lead you to the trailhead.
For more British Columbia Recreation Sites and Trails, please visit Recreation Sites & Trails BC and the Ministry of Forests and Range
For British Columbia Parks visit BC Parks