Galena Trail
Forested trail along the old K $ S rail bed with short gentle climbs and views of fast flowing Carpenter Creek below. Check out remnants of an old hydro electric flume and turn of the last century mining along the way.
Trail Description
Located in the West Kootenay region, the Galena Trail follows the abandoned 1890s rail bed of the Nakusp and Slocan Railway. Historically, it was a vital lifeline for the "Silvery Slocan" mining boom, transporting rich silver-lead ore (galena) from Sandon to the Slocan Lake steamers. Geologically, the trail traverses the Slocan Group sedimentary rocks, heavily mineralized during the formation of the Selkirk Mountains. The lush Interior Cedar-Hemlock forest is home to black bears, ospreys, and vibrant western red cedars. The terrain is easy to moderate, featuring a gentle railway grade with the highlight being a unique hand-operated cable car used to cross Carpenter Creek. Hikers and cyclists highly recommend the section for its historical interpretative signs and scenic forest canopy, noting that the cable car requires a bit of upper-body strength to operate.
Trail Stats
14.2 km
Distance
4.5 hours
Time
370 m
Elevation
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