Kuskanax Mountain Trails
Kuskanax Mountain looms over Nakusp east of town. The summit gives a spectacular 360 degree vista of Goat Range Provincial Park (Selkirk Range) to the east, the Valhalla Range to the south, the Monashee range to the west and the snow-covered twin beaks of Mount Grady and Mount Burnham to the north and the Upper Arrow Lake below.
The Nakusp & Area Community Trails Society built a new hiking trail on the north slope and redeveloped an old trail on the south slope to reach the summit at 2,143 meters. Choose one of these trails or leave a vehicle at either end to hike both trails in one day.
Turner Road – North trailhead
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 2.4 km to the summit
Trip Time: Approx 3 hours return
Surface: Compact dirt
Modes of use: Hiking
Elevation gain: 357 metres
Trail Description
A 15 km (1 hour +) drive from the highway along a rough logging road with frequent water bars is needed to reach the trailhead. This drive is well worth the effort as you can enjoy beautiful interior forest scenery and amazing views to the west. You could also easily encounter along this remote road wildlife from the safety of your vehicle such as – deer, bear, moose, coyote, fox and eagle and ospreys soaring above you. On reaching the trail head in a large clearcut, park your vehicle and look around for huckleberry bushes anytime after August 1. Look to your right for the trailhead kiosk. The trail heads uphill quickly through stands of Engleman spruce and lush underbrush of rhododendrons and ferns. Look for signs of the fire breaks and heavy equipment scars from the 1973 wildfire. Shortly after a boulder field you will enter a beautiful alpine meadow slope. A spectacular wildflower display appears in mid July. Please remain on the cairn-marked trail to protect this delicate meadow. A short climb brings you to the Kuskanax Mountain summit!
Access
4X4 or high-clearance AWD vehicles are required. Drive north on Hwy 23 from Nakusp, after the Kuskanax Creek bridge, drive 9 km and turn right onto Turner Road. Follow the brown “TRAIL” signs for 15 km, approx. 50 minutes, until you reach a parking area in a clear cut. The trailhead kiosk is to your right.
Modes of Use
Trail Description
Hike
History
This trail was built by the Nakusp & Area Trails Society in 2013 with volunteer and grant-funded labour.
Trail & Access Condition as of July 7, 2024
The Kuskanax Mountain North Trail is in good condition except for rapidly melting snow that still covers the ridge ascent to the summit from the north. Please use caution when stepping on the snow especially over boulders and windfall. The snow is slushy and soft by mid-morning.
The access road to the north trailhead on Turner Road is very rough and slow but passable in a high clearance 4X4. Driving the 15 km can take an hour or more. Large rocks may be encountered higher up on Turner Road closer to the Trailhead resulting in narrow clearance to steep drop-offs. Use extreme caution!
If You Liked This Trail
Try Kimbol Lake Trail and the Hot Springs Trail.
Stay Safe Out There!
- Familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace principles
- Check the weather forecast and trail conditions, and plan accordingly
- Be prepared to be in areas without cell service
- Stay on designated trails and share with others
- Cyclists and ATVs yield to everyone and hikers yield to horses
- Be prepared for hiking – have solid walking shoes/boots, water and nutritious food, first aid supplies, comfortable clothing (including layers) that’s appropriate for the weather
- Prepare for the unexpected
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return
- Make noise (sing, talk, clap) to alert wildlife
- Travel in pairs or groups and keep kids in sight at all times
- Keep pets under control, keep them at home if not allowed on certain trails, and be aware they may pose a hazard with backcountry wildlife
Use this information at your own risk. Trail users assume all responsibility for personal injury or damage to equipment.
For more information, visit:
Trails BC (https://trailsbc.ca/travel-tips/trail-users-code-ethics)
BC Adventure Smart (https://www.adventuresmart.ca/)
Wild Safe BC (https://wildsafebc.com/)
Recreation Sites and Trails BC (http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/)
BC Parks (https://bcparks.ca/)
Credits:
The Trails of Nakusp brochure series was originally produced for the Nakusp & District Chamber of Commerce, by Hailstorm Ridge Environmental Services & Kootenay Virtual Tours, who jointly retain copyright.
Project funding came from a 2003 Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Grant.
Many thanks to True North Forestry Consulting Ltd., Pope & Talbot Ltd., Slocan Forest Products and the Ministry of Forests for their various contributions to the project.
Nakusp & District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, 92 – 6th Ave NW
Box 387, Nakusp, BC V0G 1R0
nakusp@telus.net
2023 Updates provided by the Nakusp and Area Community Trails Society
info@nakusptrails.ca