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SLOCAN CHIEF CABIN
The Slocan Chief Cabin is in the backcountry of Kokanee Glacier Provincial
Park, in the Selkirk range of British Columbia. The historic two story
miners' cabin was built in 1896.
The trail to the cabin from Gibson's Lake at the southern
end of the park passes through some very esthetic county, including alpine
lakes, vast meadows, and mountain vistas. This trail is consequently
one of the most popular hikes in the southern interior, although we have
never encountered crowds, especially once past Kokanee Lake.
The cabin can also be accessed from the west via the Enterprise Creek or
Lemon Creek trails and also
from the north via the Keen Creek trail, although the latter trail is
generally closed in late summer
to allow grizzly bears unhampered access to the berry patches.
We hiked this trail first in August 1997, and since it is one of our
favourites, we have returned to it twice since.
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Slocan Chief Cabin [238 Kb]
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Gibson's lake, elevation 1535 meters, is itself a popular day-use destination.
Those heading to the backcounty
for overnight stays are advised to protect the base of their parked cars
with chicken wire since the local porcupine population has a bad reputation
for making meals of tires, brake linings, radiator hoses, and anything
else they can sink their teeth into. The trail from the Gibson's Lake
parking lot ascends through deep forest, initially along an abandoned dirt
road. There are nice views of mountains both near and far along the
way. Kokanee Lake is reached after about 4.5 kilometers and,
at elevation 1975 meters,
this marks the end of most of the elevation gain. The lake also marks the
beginning of the most spectacular scenery.
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Kokanee Lake [211 Kb]
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The setting of Kokanee Lake can at times seem rather forboding, more so
since November 1998 when Michel Trudeau was swept to his death into the
lake by an avalanche while traversing the lakeside.
Hemmed in on both sides by steep cliffs, the lake is often blown by stiff
winds. The trail passes the lake through scree fields on its west side.
Just beyond Kokanee Lake is Kokanee pass, elevation 2060 meters. We have
often encountered very bold marmots here, one so bold even to attempt
a meal of my boots whilst I was still in them.
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Lake and meadows near the cabin [518 Kb]
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Beyond Kokanee pass, the trail enters one of the most magnificant subalpine meadows
in the West Kootenays. Small crystal clear streams cut through the meadows,
which abound with Western Anemone (affectionately known as mouse-on-a-stick).
The trail descends slightly as it passes several more pristine lakes over
the next two kilometers. Unlike Kokanee Lake, these lakes are surrounded by meadows
and make fine camping areas. A trail junction is reached
at Kaslo Lake, elevation 1975 meters.
The trail straight ahead leads eventually to the Enterprise Creek
and Lemon Creek trails,
while the trail to the right takes us to the Slocan Chief Cabin, our
destination. From the junction, the trail climbs again through subalpine
forest gaining another 100 meters elevation before finally decending slightly
to the Slocan Chief Cabin, elevation 2020 meters.
From the cabin one can catch a glimpse of Kokanee Galcier on Kokanee
Peak rising to the south. To the northeast are the mountains of
the Sawtooth Ridge.
A nearby trail leads up to an old mine site and more views.
The Slocan Chief Cabin used to be available for overnight stays,
but the old historic cabin has recently been
restored and is no longer available for overnight use. To replace it,
a modern cabin for overnight use has recently been built nearby at Kaslo Lake.
The trail continues beyond the Slocan Chief Cabin, passing Kalmia campground
and Helen Deane Lake before decending to the Keen Creek trail.
Other stuff:
Other pictures
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