Hot Springs Trail

Trail Description

The first three or four kms wander through lofty cedar and hemlock stands, which thrive in the ideal moist habitat created by rain from eastbound clouds crossing the Selkirk Mountains. Under the towering canopy exists a diverse undergrowth of mosses, Western yew, Devil’s club, huckleberry, oak fern, lady fern, maidenhair fern, and smaller wild ginger, sarsaparilla, fairy slipper, Queen’s cup, and wintergreen. Remnants of burnt-out tree stumps stand like sentinel ghosts from times past, providing evidence of the natural fires that used to regularly sweep through BC’s interior valleys.

An hour’s hiking from the lower trailhead leads to the bluffs, laden with maidenhair ferns and ginger, where views extend to the creek far below and to Upper Arrow Lake (point 2). Continuing through the forest, wooden bridges cross the many small creeks. Upon approaching the next rest stop (point 3), decadent hemlock, fir, and cedar tower nearly 40 metres above, shading the forest floor and creating a magnificent, mossy bowl. Marshy ground is criss-crossed with boardwalks; hanging moss gardens dangle from elevated tree branches, and overgrown trail-blazes display more evidence of the trail’s history.

Further up the valley, a keen eye will spot the Nakusp Hot Springs across Kuskanax Creek (Point 4). After passing a rundown cabin and corral, the trail branches to the hot springs source (0.8 kms) and the Kimbol Lake trail (Point 5). For a therapeutic soak, cross the timber frame bridge over Kuskanax Creek, and follow the path to the Nakusp Hot Springs.