TCAT

Chapter: The Mountains

Current Route Filename:  Mount01

Created By: Ross Glover

Length: Approximately 3500 kilometers

Unless otherwise stated all photos are by Ross Glover

Region 1 – the Kootenays

The Kootenay Region offers some of the most scenic vistas of mountains and lakes anywhere in B.C.

Leaving Radium Hot Springs, the TCAT route travels south using a series of gravel and paved roads on the way to Kimberley, a small Bavarian themed city of approximately 7,000 people.  All services are available and there is a pedestrian only Platzl (plaza) if you choose to stretch your legs and take in the European alpine setting.

Just south of Kimberley, the route goes west over the Purcell Mountains.  At 2,028 meters, the pass can still have snow well into the summer.

Mountain pass through the Purcell Mountain Range

After descending down from the pass to Kootenay Lake, you will take the longest free ferry ride in the world to the west side of the lake.

After a short but scenic trip up the lake you will arrive in Kaslo, a village of about 1,000.  Kaslo is the home of the SS Moyie, the world’s oldest intact passenger sternwheeler.  A municipal park, campground and a museum make it a good place to take a break.  Due to inconsistent availability of fuel ahead, be sure to have your fuel tank full before leaving Kaslo.

The route continues north along Kootenay Lake and then follows the Lardeau River to Trout Lake.


Along the Lardeau River


The road above Trout Lake

At the north end of the lake is the tiny community of Trout Lake.  Although now only having a population of 20, Trout Lake was once a thriving town in the 1890’s with hotels, stores, banks and even a brewery.  It served more than 1,400 gold and silver claims in the area.  Today, its main attraction is the old Windsor Hotel built in 1897 and apparently the last working gravity-fed gas pumps at the General Store.

Taking another ferry ride across beautiful Upper Arrow Lake, the route travels south along the west side of the lake to get to the town of Edgewood.

The campground in Edgewood

Fuel, food and camping are available in this small community.

Useful Links

Radium Hot Springs  LINK       
Kimberely    LINK                        
Kootenay Lake ferry  LINK      
Upper Arrow Lake ferry    LINK  

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