Go & Do Summer 2019

slocan valley
Where attitude
meets altitude
For over a century people have
been hiking and scrambling to
the top of mountain peaks in
and around the Valhallas and
Slocan Valley. A new generation
of athlete is now climbing the
steep faces of rock that abound
throughout the West Kootenay.
In the Slocan Valley alone there
are four “cragging” destinations
that are easy to get to where
people can access a plethora of
routes on challenging cliffs.
Get your copy of the West
Kootenay Rock Climbing Guide
at most outdoor sports stores
or at any West Kootenay Visitor
Centre.
A nature lover's
paradise
Winlaw Regional and Nature
Park is a 22.7 acre parcel of
land located just north of the
Winlaw Bridge on the west shore
of the Slocan River. The beach
area includes washrooms,
change rooms and a covered
gazebo. Two boardwalks over
wetland areas are a key part of
the trail system. The rest of the
park is forest and wetlands with
trails meandering along the river
and into the forest.
Winlaw Regional and Nature
Park is used every day of the
year. Locals go to enjoy the
woods and river, to see wildlife,
to walk dogs, to count the birds,
to snowshoe or ski, to have picnics,
to swim and to build sand
castles and visit with each other
while the kids play on the swings
or chase each other in a game
of tag. It is the place to share
with guests, to have weddings,
to do yoga, to have Art in the
Park shows, for open air theatre.
Come and walk down the path
through the shady forest and
over the boardwalk, listen for
the cry of the eagle, watch
the ducks and Canada geese
feeding by the shore of the
river, have a seat on a riverside
bench, breathe the fresh air and
relax. Welcome to nature.
Floating
The beauty of the Slocan River
is that it flows as freely as it has
since the glaciers of the last ice
age mapped its course. The
river has been used as a transportation
route by miners and
loggers for well over a hundred
years and yet still has the feel
of a wild, unspoiled ecosystem.
The water is crystal clear and by
early summer becomes warm
enough for swimming in its many
deep pools.
A great way to enjoy the river
is to take a river tour. The first
section of the river is a gentle
float area, perfect for the family
float. The last section is for the
high adventure trippers and includes
some really great class II
and III whitewater. For this kind
of adventure, it’s best to go with
experienced guides who have
the right rafts for the river and all
the gear you need. Stop in at the
Visitor Info booth in Slocan City
to learn more.
Slocan Lake
Slocan Lake is a powerful and
timeless natural presence whose
beauty impresses itself on the
senses in a way that lifts you
up and away from your everyday
routine. It is as deep as
275 metres, with an average
depth of 150 metres so it rarely
freezes. The crystal clear lake
is popular with canoeists and
kayakers, hikers, anglers and
sightseers, many of whom return
again and again.
Slocan lake supports a variety
of fish such as kokanee salmon,
whitefish, burbot, rainbow trout
and bull trout. Sturgeon is a protected
species in Slocan Lake,
as their population is in decline
due to damming at various
points downstream along the
Columbia River system.
#arrowslocanlake
#gokootenays
Slocan Valley Co-op
General Store & Gas Bar
Cool treats for hot summer days
River tubing inner tubes & accessories
• Gas
• Groceries
• Snacks
• Sandwiches
• Dry Goods
• Toys
• Liquor
• Ice
• Post Office
3024 Highway 6, Slocan Park 250-226-7433 • Open till 9pm
18 GO & DO Summer/Fall 2019 #gokootenays - share the adventure! www.gokootenays.com BC Canada