The NACFOR-funded spring trail maintenance program ended on June 6 with the maintenance crew tending to seven of the eight trails. As of this date, all trails were accessible except Kuskanax Mtn. — North (Turner Rd access), as snow still covered the upper section of the road. Here is a list of the trails:
1. Hot Springs Trail: Maintenance-free, open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riding. This is a beautiful easy trail to hike, paralleling Kuskanax Creek for 8 kilometres.
2. Cedar Grove Trail: Now maintenance-free, with both sides of access road brushed from the FSR junction (worry-free travels for new vehicle owners). The trailhead is 5.5 km from the Hot Springs Rd, with the very short trail looping through some spectacular old-growth forest. This is great for families with mini-hikers.
3. Box Lake Loop: Maintenance-free, beautiful short easy trail for the mini-hikers with mom and dad.
4a. Kuskanax Mtn — South Trail (access from Hot Springs Rd): Maintenance completed to near ridge-top (stopped at snowline). The trailhead is 4.5 km by 4×4 vehicle only, from Hot Springs Rd. Vicky’s View lookout is about 2 km above Hot Springs Rd. This is a relatively steep trail that will give the body a good workout and will give the hiker some fantastic vistas of Nakusp, the lake, and Saddle Mtn.
4b. Kukanax Mtn — North Trail (Turner Rd access): The 15 km 4×4 only access road is maintenance-free to the snowline at 1700 metre elevation. The north trail meets the south trail at the summit, and is moderately steep and relatively short compared to the south trail.
5. Kimbol Lake: Maintenance-free to the lake. This is a beautiful moderately steep trail through some old-growth forest, 3.5 km long.
6. Peter Roulston Trail: This 4 km long trail parallels Hot Springs Road and Kuskanax Creek on the north side and has both a lower and upper trailhead. Many thanks to YRB for constructing a new access trail to lower trailhead, with parking directly across Hot Springs Rd.
7. Saddle Mtn Trail: This 5.3 km long trail is often considered the crown jewel of the area’s hiking trails as it leads to the peak of the mountain and the recently refurbished forestry lookout tower (exterior) through a beautiful forest of big trees and upper alpine meadow full of flowers in late July-August. Many thanks to R & A Logging and Interfor for the new culvert installed on the 4×4 only access road near the trailhead.
8. Rail Trail: This trail for both motorized and non-motorized users is basically maintenance-free over the length of the Trail Society’s portion of responsibility from the viewpoint near the south edge of the village to the Summit Lake Hill, an estimated distance of about 10 km.
The NACFOR-funded spring trail maintenance program which allowed for three paid personnel to complete three weeks of maintenance, has been greatly appreciated by the Nakusp and Area Community Trails Society. All trail users benefit from this most welcome funding as the majority of trails can be maintained in an efficient and timely manner and be ready for the season’s adventurers. Thank you NACFOR.
Brian Meyerm, NACTS maintenance leader
