Here is another amazing topo produced and shared by Allen Rollin of the Kokanee Lake Boulders located approximately 50 minutes from Nelson, BC plus a bit of a walk. Here are a few notes from the pdf guidebook below.
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is a beautiful sub-alpine/alpine park located 50 minutes from the city of Nelson that offers breathtaking hiking trails and views in a diverse mountain landscape. After about an hour and a bit of hiking from the Gibson Lake parking lot you enter a grand valley and come upon Kokanee Lake. The hiking has now got even better, you’ve gained most your elevation and things really start to open up. Wait a second, what are those big blocs at the bottom of that slide?
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Directions
Drive east from Nelson, cross the orange bridge and head about 20km towards Kokanee Creek and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park (signed). Just past the campground take a left following the blue provincial park signs for Kokanee Glacier. Follow the forest service road 16km up past beautiful old forests to about 1580m and the Gibson Lake trailhead/parking area (the road ends here). Follow the main trail up for about an hour and a bit to Kokanee Lake. Traverse left over on the fun rock steps, staying on the main trail around the lake, head down to the meadow and pick up the trail going up to the west through the talus/slide (tread lightly) following Cairns to the boulders; about and hour and a half from the parking. The Meadow Boulder is the first big guy you come to, head around to the right a bit further to reach the Wonderland Boulder and hidden just beyond is the wonderful rock of the Glacier Boulder. About 5km’s total from the car.
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Camping
About 30-40 minutes past the boulders are great opportunities for overnighting at both the designated backcountry campground at Kaslo Lake & the famous Kokanee Glacier Cabin (both need to be booked prior). Random camping in the parking lot or Gibson Lake cabin is not permitted and this is strictly enforced. There are also many opportunities along the FSR to camp as well (there’s a really nice spot at 7km) or down at Kokanee Creek Campground right on the beach.
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Photo courtesy of Allen Rollin ©
Topo for Kokanee Lakes Bouldering courtesy of Allen Rollin Special thanks to Allen Rollin for the great work. Be respectful when visiting these areas by taking care of them for the people both before and after you.
