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Trout
Lake
Trout Lake is located 85 km (53 miles) north of Kaslo
and 25 km (16 miles) south-east of the Galena Bay ferry terminal
to Revelstoke on Hwy 31.
Small
Village
Trout Lake is a small village situated at the north end of a large
deep lake that is about 30 km (19 miles) long with the same name.
Trout Lake sits in a large valley nestled between the Selkirk and
Purcell mountain ranges. Some very large peaks are seen in the distance,
notably Trout Mountain which is situated towards the south-west.
Mining
Town
Trout Lake City got its start in the late 1800's and early 1900's
as a mining boom town with a population level of around 2,000 people.
In time, the gold and silver-lead mines were shut down, leaving
Trout Lake City to virtually becoming a ghost town.
Trout
Lake General Store
One of the most unique things to do when you visit Trout Lake is
to visit the Trout Lake general store. Located outside the store
is a still-operational, hand-pumped, glass-enclosed, gravity-fed
gas dispenser. Inside you'll find all sorts of odds and ends, a
liquor outlet and service in the old-fashioned friendly way.
Windsor
Hotel
Trout Lake also has a real relic from the past in the historic Windsor
Hotel. Originally built in 1892, the Windsor Hotel has been restored
to its proud past and is open for business year-round. The hotel's
specialty is in the winter when it becomes a kind of meeting place
for people wanting to try the world-famous snowmobiling in the area.
Unfortunately due to hard times the Windsor Hotel has been closed
but according to an old Nelson Star article is going to have new
ownership soon.
Vacation
Homes
Today Trout Lake is mostly made up of a number of vacation homes
and cabins that dot the lake and nearby rivers. Most are used for
recreational purposes and, because of the close vicinity to Calgary,
Alberta. a high percentage from there own property.
Snowmobiling
or Snowcat Skiing
There are a number of trails and powder bowls for you to try your
snowmobile or go snowcat skiing. Areas include Silver Cup Ridge
which parallels Trout Lake and the Badshot Range to the west and
south-west of the Battle Range. There are a number of tour operators
who can assist you in finding the very best that the area offers.
Silvercup
Ridge Trail
During the summer time, you can also hike horseback ride or mountainbike
along Silvercup Ridge which has a 40 km (25 miles) one-way trail
that follows a ridge overlooking Trout Lake. The trail features
mountain meadows, spectacular lake views and backcountry camping.
Expect to take three to four days to complete the Silvercup Ridge
Trail if you're hiking.
Fishing
for Rainbow Trout
For people who would like to try their luck at fishing, Trout Lake
is especially good from April to October when the lake yields very
large Rainbow trout, some in the 9 kg. (20 lbs.) range. Other fish
species include bull trout, burbot (freshwater cod) and char. A
boat launch can conveniently be found right in the community.
Staubart
Lake
Another fishing lake close by to Trout Lake, just to the north-west
on Hwy 31 just before the turnoff to Beaton, is called Staubart
Lake. Here you can find Dolly Varden, brook and bull trout plus
fairly large rainbow trout. There is a rustic campground present
and a place to launch a car-top style boat.
Community
Hall
If you come during the summer time, try and visit the Trout Lake
Community Hall where sometimes the locals have a garage and bake
sale. Not only will you get to meet the residents but also help
the community as funds from the sale assist sponsored improvements
and events.
Hill
Creek Hatchery
For wildlife watching and things to see try venturing over to the
Hill Creek Hatchery located 8 km east from the Hwy 31 and Hwy 23
junction. At Hill Creek you can view the spawning channel that comes
off the Kootenay Lake with a dimension of 3.2 km (2.2 miles) long
by 6.1 m (20 feet) wide. Try and come during the month of September
to view spawning Kokanee.
Ghost
Towns
There are a few ghost towns situated in the hills nearby Trout Lake.
You can look for the remains of Ferguson, Camborne, Beaton and Comaplix.
Very little remains of the building structures but, for the history
buff, the treat to explore the past is forever close in the area
around Trout Lake.
Nakusp
Besides the Trout Lake general store, most major shopping and services
are found at Nakusp about an hour away
on Hwy 23. By going to Nakusp, you can also complete a circle route
back to Trout Lake by taking what is called the 'North Loop.'
North
Loop
The North Loop after Nakusp takes you on Hwy 6 through the community
of New Denver. The North Loop then
follows the 'Silvery Slocan' Hwy 31A to Kaslo, then north on Hwy
31 through Lardeau and Meadow Creek
north to Trout Lake. For cyclists, the trip is called the Slocan
Triangle and makes a great loop taking around four days to complete.
Information
on Trout Lake
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