Eager Hill area
Vehicle access to trailhead, about 10 mins out of town. Currently semi-bare with not much for vegetation, but we’re supposed to be getting a bunch of snow this week. Could be either snow covered or totally bare by mid-march dependent on the weather between now and then.
Premier Lake Area
Accessible by vehicle, about a 45-60 min drive. Has beach area and campsites with fire pits & picnic tables. Lake will be frozen over and snow covered currently, but typically has ice-fishing spots, and sometimes snowshoeing and ice skating areas. Could be thawed or still snow-covered by mid-march.
Norbury and Horseshoe Lake areas
Vehicle accessible, 30 min-ish drive. Lake will currently be frozen, and usually has skating area. Surrounding area may or may not have snow dependent on weather. Open field areas with mountain views, some campsite areas at horseshoe.
Bear Lake
Offroad vehicle access, approx 2 hr drive, 1.5 to 2hr hike to lake during warm season, 4hr round trip hike. Can’t guarantee this location will be accessible by mid-March, frequently inaccessible over winter, but may be accessible if we have a good run of mild weather. Alpine Lake, rugged mountain views, hiking trail with various viewpoints. Snowy photos are from a late-September hike.
Wycliffe Butte
Vehicle access to trailhead, rolling fields with worn trails leading up to Butte viewpoint that overlooks mountain ranges to both east and west. Approximately 30-45 min hike to top of Butte. First image is looking at the Butte that the woman and dogs are on in the second image
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Tanglefoot Lake
Offroad vehicle access, approximately 1.5 to 2hr drive, 2 hr hike to tarns (meadow with shallow water), 3 hour hike to get to main lake during warm season - 4-6 hour round-trip hike. Typically inaccessible or substantial snowshoeing mission over winter if the access road is passable, but varies year to year. Will be snow-covered at Tarn and Lake elevations currently. Depending on weather, could be accessible Mid-March, but not guaranteed.
Lakit Mountain
Off-road vehicle accessible, approx 1.5-2hr drive, and 1.5-2hr hike to get to summit during warm season. I’ve snowshoed to the lookout before, but getting to the trailhead is dependent on condition of access road, which is sometimes out of commission over winter. Beautiful mountain views all around, with forestry lookout shack at summit.
Numa Falls, Kootenay Natl. ParK
Approx 3hr drive to location. There are hiking trails in the area, but will be snowshoe access during the winter. I’m unfamiliar with the hiking trails, but this section of the river with the bridge is stunning. There are mountain views throughout the park, and various other semi-accessible river spots. Far more options in the warmer season.
Jumbo Pass, East Kootenay
Off-road vehicle accessible to trailhead, approximately 2.5-3hr drive, 6-7 hour round trip hike to summit. Typically snow-covered and inaccessible over winter. Rugged trail with stunning mountain views and alpine lakes. Very unlikely it will be accessible by mid-March. Typical hiking time starts late May to mid-June.
Fernie
About an hour drive to get to the city of Fernie. Many spots in the area have mountain views, ski hill access for additional views or activity related shots (lift access for mountain is $190p/p). River and other recreational areas & trails can typically be accessed without much additional expense. (photos in this gallery are not mine, just pulled for visual reference)
Kimberley area and St Mary’s Lake
Approximately 30 minute drive to City of Kimberley, in same direction as Wycliffe Butte area listed above. Wycliffe is around halfway to Kimberley. Forested recreation areas with some mountain views, ski hill access for additional viewpoint options (lift access $150 p/p)
St Mary’s Lake is about another 45 mins from Kimberley, and has mountain views, snowshoeing and sometimes cleared areas for ice skating.
