Whitewater Canyon hike
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Whitewater Canyon hike
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The Whitewater Canyon hike take you along the inside of the canyon wall, through a deep Selkirk valley, up through the meadows and finally reaching the alpine lakes. Grizzly bears are frequently spotted on the other side of the canyon and this is a beautiful hike to do during wildflower season in July. The lakes at the top of Whitewater Canyon are turquoise blue and green and you can often see ice caps even in the height of summer.
Getting there
From Kalso, follow highway 31A towards Retallack Lodge. Follow highway 31A for 15.5mi until you cross Whitewater Creek. Roughly 2953ft after the creek, and just past historic buildings on your right, you will see a sign for Whitewater Canyon Trail. Go right here and proceed up the Whitewater Canyon FSR road for 2.7mi. A 4WD vehicle is necessary due to rocks and water bars.
About
| When to do | Early July to Late September |
| Backcountry Campsites | 1 small area where it’s possible to camp |
| Pets allowed | No |
| Family friendly | No |
| Route Signage | Poor |
| Crowd Levels | Low |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Whitewater Canyon
Elevation Graph
Weather
Route Description for Whitewater Canyon
If you want to hike Whitewater Canyon, near Retallack, B.C, a 4WD is essential for the Forest Service Road (FSR) portion of the road to the trailhead. This FSR is not maintained.
The Whitewater Canyon hike is notorious for grizzly sightings, so be bear aware at all times, have bear spray and do this hike in a group. Not only is the Whitewater Canyon hike more fun with friends, it’s also safer.
Finally, from early September, it can get as cold as 0 Celsius in the Whitewater Canyon parking lot (where it is possible to camp) at night, so bring warm clothes if camping.
The Whitewater Canyon hike is full of outstanding natural beauty, with views across Whitewater Canyon the entire way. The hike ends with a short scramble up to several stunning turquoise and green alpine lakes.
As you drive up to the trailhead, and then begin your hike along the canyon wall, you are quickly above tree line and able to enjoy gorgeous views of the valley, small plants, and flowers. Grizzly bears can often be spotted on the other side of Whitewater Canyon.
This Whitewater Canyon trail is relatively easy to follow. The first 1.2mi are through a mundane forest, but before you know it you are at the start of the canyon, where the trail crosses over to the left-hand side.
You will be hiking upwards steadily for most of the way until you get to the meadows and rocky fields at the start of the valley. Here you will continue to ascend steadily through rocky, grassy areas with some beautiful coloured rock formations. You can also see the old trail on the other side of the canyon most of the way which is now closed due to being prime habitat for grizzly bears.
Once you get to the end of the meadows, you may notice an old mining line in the earth, or what appears to be an immediate end to the trail with no signage or indication of where to continue.
You should continue upwards, over the rock-slide where you will need to use your hands, following cairns that lead almost immediately ahead and a little to the left. This is the best and easiest way to go.
You can also follow the old mining line around to the right and cut back across (this is the route in the GPS file) but it is much steeper, longer and not worth the additional time and effort that could be spent at the lakes!
You’ll continue up and go over Whitewater Pass, the high-point on this hike. Don’t be surprised to find some mining paraphernalia here. Continue onwards and find several brilliant lakes. Our map shows a circuit we made exploring these stunning lakes.
Once you’ve spent enough time marvelling at the beauty, follow your path back down to the car.
Insider Hints
Retallack Lodge (if you have the money!) is a great destination for biking in the summer and CAT skiing in the winter, with luxury accommodations.
Kalso is a beautiful town and place to spend a weekend. You can do a loop of the river called Kaslo River Walk, or head downtown and explore the SS Moyie boat and lakeside trails.
Bluebelle Bistro in Kaslo has delicious cakes and meals.
Angry Hen Brewery in Kaslo is a new local brewery.
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Eric Parats 4 years ago
Incredible views! My girl and I and our 4 friends went here last summer. The weather was perfect and it's not heavily trafficked! Highly recommended!
Meighan 4 years ago
This trail was wonderful. The trails are meticulously maintained and babbling streams made for a great day.
SophieM. 4 years ago
Whitewater Canyon was full of wonders! The views were still stunning even on bad weather.
Brandon Houston 4 years ago
Did not disappoint. Absolutely a must trail when visiting West Kootenay. It’s a little challenging for beginners but definitely worth the push!
hoshiuemura 4 years ago
The hike along the inside of the canyon wall was quite long but not boring. Wear good hiking shoes because it could get very slippery at some point.
Sonya Strut 4 years ago
Be wary of bears for it is their natural habitat! Always carry bear spray in case of an emergency.
Tara Green 4 years ago
stunning views. I loved it
AveryJ. 4 years ago
The turquoise blue waters were absolutely stunning! It gives a nice contrast to the whole surroundings!
Nathan R. 4 years ago
Beautiful but a bit time-consuming! The scrambling portion was not that hard. I'm so drawn to the dazzling lake. The surroundings really complement its beauty!
verdanaf. 4 years ago
Moderate hike that requires some mild scrambling towards the end. The lake looks awe-inspiring.