A moderate hike to a vast open ridge – great 360 degree views.

Trailhead:
Head up the decommissioned road for 50 metres until you see a swath cut in the forest on the right hand side of the road.

Trail:
The trail follows a snowmobile route, which has now been turned into an ATV path. It is very simple to follow, although you might want to skirt the bog the machines drive through.

When you reach a bog about 15 minutes in, keep to the hill on the right for about 100 metres. When the ATV trail turns left up a steep embankment, follow it. It is now very evident and easy to follow, although a bit steep in parts. The ATV tracks eventually end on a side hill and the trail continues.

When you reach the sub alpine, the trail turns left up a hill. At the top of the hill, you are on a ridge with several small lakes below you to the left. Stay on the ridge and head north above the lakes. Drop down to cross a creek and then follow the trail as it climbs up through the sub alpine. Once you reach the alpine, the trail disappears but it doesn’t matter as the repeater is visible to the north. Head for it. [read more]

The views up here are magnificent – the Rocky Mountain Trench and associated wetlands are to the east and the Spillimacheen drainage is to the west.

Note: Experienced backpackers can continue along the ridge and exit via the Certainty Mine trail for a multi-day adventure. Route finding skills are essential.

Drive south from Golden on Highway 95 for 35 kilometres to the hamlet of Parson. Turn right on the Parson River Crossing Road. Set your odometer to 0 here. Cross the Columbia River and its backchannels on the three bridges, and then head up the hill on the Spillimacheen Forest Service Road (FSR). (Once across the river, don’t turn.) [read more]

At 7.8 kilometres, turn right on the Hobo Creek FSR. Follow this road to 20 km. Stay left at 10.7 km, 11.7 km and 12 km. Stay right at 12.8 km. Stay right at 15.6 km. Stay right at 16.8 km. Stay left at 18.1 km. Stay right at 18.5 km. Stay right at 19.0 km.  Just past this intersection, the road curves right and then ends at a large cross-ditch. The road has been decommissioned past this point.

While the above directions are correct, just stay on the main road. Stay left at 18.1k, and stay right at 19k, even though the main road seems to go left.