Blue Grouse Basin Recon September 4.25
Corinne T and Bob T checked out the Blue Grouse Basin trail for a possible NACTS Group Hike in later September. This is a beautiful, but lightly travelled trail in the NE corner of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The trail has been recently cleared by Parks Crew and is in good condition with all falls and brush at knee height and above cleared. The trail is easy to follow anlthough a few spots could use some repair and grading. The 5.2 km (one way) trail climbs 800 m up steep slopes through forest most of the way with partial views down the valley on the way up. The basin itself is very pretty with a couple of dried tarns at the base of the mountainous amphitheatre. While well worth the 12 km drive up the well maintained Enterprise Creek FSR for access (30 minutes from pavement to TH), the hike is too steep and strenuous to consider for a group hike. For strong hikers it is a must!
Kimbol Lake Connector Clearing August 6.25
John Hitt, Frank Kennedy and Bob T spent Saturday September 6 clearing the old trail connecting the North end of the lake to the south along the east shore. This opens up the Kimbol Lake Trail for an unobstructed through hike from the Nakusp Hot Springs to the Horseshoe Lake fire road for a hiking distance of 8.4 km. Horseshoe Lake is another 2.4 km past the junction with the quad track to the Kimbol Lake trappers cabin. The Horseshoe Lake fire access road is in good condition except for very deep water bars that require a high clearance 4wd with good break-over angles. The trail along the east shore of Kimbol Lake is easy to hike but requires regrading and repairs in several sections. A climbing switchback when hiking south to north approximately 500 m from the cabin is easy to miss. Better signage is required. Thanks to John Hitt for his excellent chainsaw work. These were big trees hung up on steep precarious slopes. John enjoyed using his knowledge and skill from his days working as a professional faller.
