EXCERPTS

GOLDEN TO RADIUM HOT SPRINGS

The FS campgrounds in this stretch of the Columbia Valley are
all west of Hwy 95.

Mitten Lake (page 351) is the largest in the area. It also has the biggest campground and best mountain view. It’s about a 15- minute drive from the village of Parson. On a blazing hot summer day, it’s worth the trip just to go swimming. The water temperature is pleasant. Access is easy for small motorhomes and trailers.

About a 1-hour drive from Brisco are the famous Bugaboo
Spires, in the Purcell Mountains. The granite monoliths shoot skyward, thousands of feet above the surrounding glaciers. Just outside Bugaboo Provincial Park, the FS maintains Bugaboo- Septet campground (page 353). It has an excellent view of the celebrated spires. Several hiking trails are nearby; all lead to tremendous vantage points. Get a BC Parks brochure for general information. Gotta Hike B.C., described on page 394, will guide you to Conrad Kain Hut, Cobalt Lake, and Chalice Ridge. Big RVs can survive the long access road to the Bugaboos, but the FS campground is too small for them.

On the benchland between Brisco and the Bugaboos, the outstanding campground is at easily-accessible Cartwright Lake. Though the view is east to the Rockies, hikers basecamping here will head west to the Bugaboos, Templeton Lake, or Septet Pass (up Frances Creek FS road). Of the two Cartwright camping areas, the north shore offers more privacy than the west shore. Both accommodate small motorhomes and trailers.

Near Cartwright are a dozen other campgrounds on smaller (6- to 43-hectare) benchland lakes in mature pine and fir forest. Cleland Lake has a view of the Rockies. Teal-coloured Dunbar Lake has a view of the Purcells. Shallow, reedy Hall Lake has wheelchair- accessible facilities including a dock and observation trail. Big RVs will encounter difficulties at, or en route to, most of these tiny campgrounds. The directions on page 356 will guide you through the rat’s nest of narrow, sometimes very muddy roads. Suggestion: If you get confused during your benchland wanderings, follow the frequently signed Bugaboo-Cartwright or Westside roads north to intersect Bugaboo Creek FS road, then turn right (east) to reach Hwy 93.

Yet another hikers’ haven is Stockdale Creek. The campground is virtually viewless, but nearby trails more than compensate. Lake of the Hanging Glacier—a 2.5-km (1.6-mi) long glacier-fed lake beneath dramatic cliffs—is blow-yourmind beautiful. The 16-km (9.9-mi) roundtrip hike gains 710 m (2330 ft). The trail up Farnham Creek to Commander Glacier is another exciting option. Stockdale Creek campground is too small for motorhomes and trailers.

If you’re heading southeast on Hwy 95 from Golden

0 km (0 mi)
Starting southeast on Hwy 95, from 9th Street (the last traffic light) in Golden.

1.2 km (0.7 mi)
Cross the long bridge next to the railroad yard.

34 km (21.1 mi)
Pass the general store and post office in Parson.

35.7 km (22.1 mi)
Proceed southeast on Hwy 95 for Radium Hot Springs. Turn right (west) onto Spillamacheen FS road for Mitten Lake campground; directions continue on page 351.

77 km (47.7 mi)
Proceed southeast on Hwy 95 for Radium Hot Springs. Turn right (west) onto Brisco Road for Bugaboo-Septet campground and benchland lakes campgrounds including Cartwright
Lake; directions continue on page 353. The turn is signed for Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park.

105 km (65.1 mi)
Reach the junction of Hwys 95 and 93 in Radium Hot Springs.
Turn right (west) onto Forsters Landing Road for Stockdale Creek campground; directions continue on page 363. Turn left (northeast) onto Hwy 93 for Kootenay National Park. Proceed south on Hwy 93/95 for Invermere and Cranbrook.

If you’re heading northwest on Hwy 95 from Radium Hot Springs

0 km (0 mi)
Starting northwest on Hwy 95 from the junction with Hwy 93 in Radium Hot Springs. For Stockdale Creek campground, go
west at this junction onto Forsters Landing Road; directions
continue on page 363.

28 km (17.4 mi)
Proceed northwest on Hwy 95 for Golden. Turn left (west) onto Brisco Road for Bugaboo-Septet campground and benchland lakes campgrounds including Cartwright Lake; directions continue on page 353. The turn is signed for Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park.

69.3 km (43 mi)
Proceed northwest on Hwy 95 for Golden. Turn left (west) onto Spillamacheen FS road for Mitten Lake campground; directions continue on page 351.

71 km (44 mi)
Pass the general store and post office in Parson.

105 km (65 mi)
Reach 9th Street (the last traffic light) in Golden. Proceed north through town to intersect Trans-Canada Hwy 1.

For MITTEN LAKE, now follow the directions below

0 km (0 mi)
Starting west on Spillamacheen FS road, departing Hwy 95. Cross railroad tracks, then several bridges over the Columbia River and wetlands.

1.6 km (1 mi)
Proceed straight on the main road. Soon begin ascending.

3.5 km (2.2 mi)
Curve left where Aspen Road is right.

4.2 km (2.6 mi)
Proceed straight on the main road.

5.5 km (3.4 mi)
Bear right.

6.2 km (3.8 mi)
Bear left.

7.1 km (4.4 mi)
Turn left onto Mitten Lake Road.

7.3 km (4.5 mi)
Fork left immediately after the yellow KM 7 sign.

9.6 km (6 mi) and 10 km (6.2 mi)
Bear left, passing right spurs.

11.3 km (7 mi)
Bear right.

15.2 km (9.4 mi)
Reach a junction. Go left for Mitten Lake campground. Turn
right to reach Bittern Lake Recreation Site #37 (tiny lake, dock, 1 table) in 0.8 km (0.5 mi). It’s too small for motorhomes and trailers.

18 km (11.2 mi)
Mitten Lake and the Purcell Mountains are visible.

18.3 km (11.3 mi)
Pass an overnight pullout on the right, beside the lake.

18.5 km (11.4 mi)
Reach the first Mitten Lake campsite, beside the road.

18.9 km (11.7 mi)
Bear right and descend.

19.5 km (12.1 mi)
Arrive at Mitten Lake’s main camping area.

MITTEN LAKE RECREATION S ITE #36
Weekend / Moderate / Free
Elev: 996 m (3267 ft) / Lake: 1.4 km (0.8 mi) long, 60 ha
12 campsites with tables, boat launch, dock
Accessible by small motorhomes and trailers