I spent the first half of June camping and sightseeing in SE British Columbia, getting as far east as the Rocky Mountain national parks. That included about a half dozen excursions on backroads.

Perhaps the most scenic was Idaho Peak road, which climbs 12km above the former mining town of Sandon (near current New Denver). This was the longest, consistently narrow road that I recall driving. Steep and narrow, but not too rough. There was one minor muddy spot, and one tight switchback. However at 8 km there were snow patches covering at least half of the track. While it would have been fun to play in these on level ground, a narrow mountain track was no place to risk spinout, so I turned around.

Forturnately the Element is short enough to easily turn around. Also we were high enough to get some nice views of Sandon in the valley below, and mountains around. This was one of the few clear days of the trip.

paulj

After making a loop through the National Parks (Revelstoke, Glacier (Rogers Pass), Yoho, Banff, and Kootenay), we returned to the Kootenay Lake area by way of the Gray Creek Pass road. This is 80 km from Kimberly to Gray Ck, with the western 32k being the steepest and roughest. The lower eastern part was potholed and long. The pass at about 6800 ft showed some signs of snow plowing. Views weren't nearly so nice this day.

paulj

A few more shots from the Gray Ck pass road, including a view of a 20 km/hr curve in the clouds. The west side dropped nearly 5000 ft to ferry crossing on Kootenay Lake.

paulj

Early in the trip I tried to take Old Cascade Hwy from Christina Lake to Rossland. The first 22 km to Santa Rosa summit was wide forest service road. Then the road narrowed, with a 'closed' sign - though someone had added a 'ahead' to that sign. After going down a few switchbacks I decided not to risk going further - the road was narrowing, I didn't know why it was 'closed', and the skys were getting dark. As it turned out, we got some heavy rains crossing those same mountains on hwy 3 a few hours later.

On the Idaho Pk day, I also drove east of Sandon to Cody and a bit beyond. This stretch was 'decommissioned' forest service road. After a dozen waterbars, I chose to turn around just short of the rock outwash of a stream.

We finished up our loops in the Kootenay Lake area with a drive past Trout Lake on hwy 31. This is mostly gravel, with the first half being former railbed.

paulj

Great pics Paul!

I'm glad you were able to getup the Idaho Peak Road. We're planning on heading into that area to do some kayaking on Kootenay Lake later this summer (once it gets too hot in the Okanagan) and was glad to see that your E had no problem with this road.

BTW we're heading back into the Chilcotin in a few weeks to try out the E near Chilko Lake!

We just touched on the Okanagan this trip, crossing the border at Osoyoos and then heading east on the Crowsnest. On the return we crossed Arrow Lakes on the ferry and drove to Vernon, camping at Mable Lake on the way (along with a bit of kayaking). At Kelowna we headed back into the mountains on 33 and spent a warm, wet and buggy night at Kettle Valley, and reentered the USA at Midway.

I also got to kayak on Whiteswan Lake (east on Canal Flats of the edge of the Rockies), and Summit Lake near Nakusp. We also soaked in 4 hot springs - Nakusp, Radium, Lussier (Whiteswan PP), and Ainsworth.

paulj

Mabel Lake is one of our favourite local areas for kayaking!

Next time you're around look us up!

PVR, where do you put in on Kootenay Lake?

We camped 3 times on the lake, but because of weather and other things to do, I did not try to do any paddling. We stayed twice at Kokanee Ck Prov Park, walked the trails in the park (just like back home - PNW wet forest), drove up to the Kokanee Glacier park trailhead, and did laundry in Nelson. I saw more Elements in Nelson than anywhere else on the trip.

Later we drove up the lake, and camped at Lost Ledge Park - a small unit north of Kaslo. Also one of the prettiest campgrounds, due both to the mountains across the lake, and flower decorated outhouses.

paulj

There are a number of good places in Kaslo to put the boats in. I can't remember the name just now but there is a super B & B right on the beach (up towards the campground) that is a great base camp. The campground is also good. The nice thing about Kootenay Lake is that it has, literally, miles of beaches so you can camp almost anywhere once you get to sections of the lake that have no road access.

One of my favorite places to kayak is around New Denver (Slocan Lake). You can kayak to Valhalla (Provincial Park that is!) from here quite easily and still get back to a good meal and comfortable bed for the night.

Glad you got to Nelson. It figures that you saw more Elements there than anywhere else as it is the hippie capital of B.C. (and that's saying a lot!)

I made a attempt to drive up to the Buchanan lookout trail near Kaslo. However between misreading the map (Backroad Mapbook) and the rain, I only ended up taking a short but rough connector road, and then a muddy forest service road. The town of Kaslo was without power during our brief stop.

paulj

Outstanding! It's killing me being back east. (originally from Oregon so can't help the mountain snobbery)

Anyone need a lobbyist?

Would You Guys Stop Making Me Drool!

I have a historic Oregon road on my todo list, the Barlow Road on the east side of Mt Hood,
http://www.nwjeepn.com/Barlow%20Road1.htm

paulj