Idaho Peak

One of the down sides with traveling around the states, sorry provinces, of BC and Alberta throughout the Summer is that you miss some of the summer highlights in your local area. It has been a serious and understandable lament, particularly from a birding perspective that you can't be everywhere at the same time.

One of the sites that had been independently recommended to me in the Kootenay area a number of times by a number of people was Idaho Peak. This was described as an easy alpine walk, achievable by even small children. And so it turned out.

We drove up quite early thus to avoid the expected weekend traffic as the road to the car park near the high trail head was narrow and clearly unable to allow two way traffic. According to plan we encountered no vehicles on the way up however by the time we returned to our car the car park was full and the road trip down involved some interesting reversing to allow traffic to pass.

The walk was good, easy as expected despite the fact that it was obviously an uphill climb. The air was cool and clearly it had frosted overnight recently as there was still frozen rain or hail by the track in places. Raptor migration had started at this elevation - above 2000 metres. Several Sharp-shinned Hawks were flying around as was an immature REd-tailed Hawk and, more distant, a Golden Eagle.

The view featured mountains in all directions and some great views down to Slocan Lake and the lakeside settlements of Silverton and New Denver.  
Idaho Peak is described on a tourist website to the Kootenays as 

"No matter what age or physical condition you are, the drive and a quick potter about at the top should not be missed. An easy hike to some of the best views and wildflowers in BC.

From the north car park, it is about 2 km to the peak. After 300 m, the trail descends a bit into a bowl, then there is a steady uphill to the fire lookout at the peak. The gradient is moderate, with a short steeper section where stairs are provided. You should get to the top in about 45 minutes.

At the top, the views are amazing. New Denver and Slocan Lake is below you, and mountain peaks are all around. The main peaks are New Denver Glacier to the west, Kokanee Glarier to the SE, and Mt. cooper to the NE. An interpretation sign names all the peaks.

There are lots of wildflowers in season, mainly June to September."