Old Growth Forest Hike

Where:

• Old Growth Forest

 

When:

• June 2, 2021

 

Who:

• Ed, Marilyn, Kara, Sophie

 

Trailhead:

• from Nelson head north on Highway 3A towards Balfour for 27 km (24 minutes) and turn left onto Kokanee Glacier Road
• take Kokanee Glacier Road for 11.7 km to a parking lot on the right-hand side of the road
• this forestry road is bumpy but was doable in our daughters Rav 4
• walk back down the road for 25 meters to the trailhead on the right-hand side
• the trail descends through the forest and along the river

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

• 100 meters of elevation
• 2.3 km round trip on the loop trail
• fairly easy stroll with a bit of elevation in spots
• the hike took us 1 hour

 

 

Interesting notes:

• the cedars are ancient (some over 800 years old) and massive
• there are some massive boulders that are very majestic, along with Kokanee Creek, which was flowing rapidly
• there are numerous interpretive signs and viewpoints
• this area was part of a 7 km aerial tramway that moved ore in the early 1900’s from the Molly Gibson mine perched above Gibson Lake down the steep valley
• if you are looking for more adventure, then drive another ten minutes up the road for the short Gibson’s Lake trail or the longer Kokanee Lake Trail
• on the way to the trail along Highway 3A, a black bear came rushing across the road and slammed into the rear passenger door where Kara was sitting but luckily, the bear, us, and the vehicle were all fine