SELKIRK LOOP SELKIRK LOOP - International Selkirk Loop

north Kootenay Lake-Silvery Slocan Super Side Trip
BrItISh ColumBIa
46 www.selkirkloop.org
Above: Highway 31 by Ainsworth (Carol Graham)
Left: A fine catch from Kootenay Lake (Courtesy ©
www.dougpyperphoto.com)
Idaho Lookout can be accessed via a
steep, gravel road that begins at the far end of
town. With a vehicle having sufficient ground
clearance, it’s possible to drive up to a parking lot
at 7,000 feet. A short hike takes travelers to the
former fire lookout above Slocan Lake and quite
possibly the best 360-degree viewpoint on
the entire Selkirk Loop route. It is said that on
a clear day you can see all the way to Idaho.
For bikers and hikers, two trails are
found at the junction of Highway 31A and
Sandon. The 13 km (8 mile) Galena Trail is an
easy 2 percent grade on an abandoned rail line
that takes you to the shores of Slocan Lake at
Rosebery Provincial Park, a good place to
camp or picnic. A manually operated cable car
carries bikes and riders across Carpenter Creek
at the start of the ride. The 13 km (8 mile) K & S
Railgrade Trail is on the east side of the parking
lot and leads to Sandon.
Turn south onto Highway 6 to find the
villages of New Denver and Silverton. These
small communities are only 5 km (3 miles) apart
on the eastern shore of beautiful Slocan Lake. In
downtown New Denver there are colorful shops,