Best Places to Visit in BC, The Moyie

The Moyie is located in beautiful
Kaslo, BC.

Originally built for the Canadian Pacific Railway
to work their "All Canadian Water and Rail Route" to the Klondike,
the bill allowing this railway link to be built never passed
the Canadian Senate. The Moyie was then shipped
via rail to Nelson and began her service on Kootenay Lake.

She plied the waters of Kootenay Lake
from 1898 to 1957, carrying passengers
and freight to various points along the lakes shore.

She played an integral part of
British Columbia's silver mining history, and today is
the worlds oldest intact passenger sternwheeler.

The Moyie is a National Historic Site of Canada
and sits proudly along Front Street in Kaslo.

Truly and unique part of British Columbia history
and not to be missed on any trip through the Kootenays.

Best Places to Visit in BC, Kootenay Lake

Kootenay Lake is 90 miles long
and bounded by the Selkirk Mountain range
on the west and the Purcell range to the east.
It is part of the Kootenay river system
that drains in to the Columbia River.
The whole area around Kootenay Lake
is incredibly beautiful and has a wild,
waiting-to-be-explored feeling to it.
Small towns dot her shores, many with
well kept historic buildings, paddle wheelers,
and heaps of history.
Kootenay Lake is also
home to the famous Kokanee salmon,
not to be confused with the famous Kokanee
brew.
Taking the time to explore and savor the
whole area could take a life time.
I am working on it.

The Galena Trail, BC

The Kootenays should be on
everyone's list of Top
Places to Visit in British Columbia.
Besides being packed with history,
the Kootenays is home to some pretty
spectacular scenery.
The Galena Trail is part of the
old railway bed of the CP railway.
This part of the railway was built in 1895 to access
the local silver mines in the Slocan Valley.
The 13 km long Galena Trail runs from
Rosebery to Three Forks, and is great
for hiking, mountain biking, and
cross country skiing or snowshoeing
in the winter months.

Upper Saddle Mountain, BC

The Kootenay's region of
British Columbia has fast become
one of my favorite places to photograph.
After departing the Needles Ferry across
Lower Arrow Lake, the
mountain views become more
and more dramatic.
Exploring here during the winter
awards you more treats than you
can possibly digest in a few hours.

The vistas are simply stunning. Snow and fog
envelope the mountains in cloaks of down.
And give us glimpses of
their tree clad sheer faces. You could
honestly spend all day looking at one mountain,
the mists change constantly and add a feeling
of mystery to the whole experience.
Saddle Mountain and Upper Saddle Mountain
lie south of Nakusp, and the hike
up Saddle Mountain to the lookout offers spectacular
views of the Arrow Lakes.

Mother Nature never fails to impress
and surprise me, usually at the same time.

Monashee Mountains, BC

The Monashee Mountains are part
of the Central Columbia
Mountain Range in British Columbia.
Like most people, I have trouble
trying to understand the boundaries
of the various mountain ranges, districts, and areas.
Where do the Kootenays start exactly?
Are the Monashees part of the Kootenays?
Leaving the confusing details behind,
the Monashee's are beautiful.
In the wintertime, they are a treat for Mother Nature
seekers.
I've never seen a mountain I didn't like. The Monashee's
are no exception and offer the adventurer
trails, parks, peaks, rivers and creeks
galore to explore and experience.

Located between Vernon and Revelstoke,
Monashee Summit is accessible by car along
Highway 6.
Taking a tour through the Kootenays
should definitely include a look at the Monashees.