Vicky's View Trail
Vicky's View Trail
Rating: Variable – rough drive, moderate hiking & snowshoeing
Distance: 1.5 km uphill
Trip time: 1 hr one way hike
Surface: Gravel road, forest path
Modes of use: 4X4, high clearance AWD, hiking, biking, snowshoeing
Elevation gain: 340 metres
Trail Description
After going up the road and along a short forest path, Vickey’s View is a viewpoint overlooking the upper Arrow Lake, Monashee mountains and the town of Nakusp. This is a favorite quick invigorating hike to a spot where locals like to look down and identify their house below or snowshoe up to celebrate Christmas Day. A picnic table and rustic bench make it a perfect spot for lunch.
Access
Drive north from Nakusp along Hwy 23, cross the Kuskanax Bridge, turn right onto the Hot Springs road, drive 3.5 km, turn left at the Kuskanax Mountain Road sign if driving or drive just past the road to the parking lot if travelling by foot. The viewpoint is 1.5 km up this rough, steep road. Look to your left at the kiosk for the forest path.
Past & Future
This viewpoint was named for Vicky Barrow, a Nakusp old timer whose Japanese family was sent to Nakusp during the second world war. Vicky loved to hike up here and contemplate the beauty. Her family encouraged the Nakusp & Area Trails Society to improve and maintain this site. A kiosk at the forest path entrance remembers Vicky and her life. Mac Falkiner’s contribution to the Hufty Fire and a lifetime of volunteerism is also commemorated on the kiosk.
Trail & Access Condition as of February 24, 2024
Vickies View is popular year-round, but is inaccessible by vehicle until later in spring when the road is dry. Even then it is 4×4 access only. Otherwise walk or snowshoe from the parking lot on the side of the Nakusp Hot Springs road.
If You Liked This Trail
Try the Hot Springs Trail or Cedar Grove 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