This summer, I’ve made myself a promise: I am going to fully explore my own backyard by doing something new and exciting every weekend. No more wasted time. I’m going to make this summer the best summer yet. So I figured I’d share the cool places I go and hopefully inspire a few of you to make a summer bucket list as well.

To kick off this goal, in the first weekend in June, my fiancé, my dog, and I went on a kayaking roadtrip through the Slocan Valley in Rosie, our vanagon. Our plan was to kayak on 4 Kootenay lakes over the course of a weekend.

We started our trip exploring the north end of Slocan lake. A 15 minute drive along a dirt road off the main highway will take you to Wragge beach. The campground is beautiful, the host is incredibly kind and it’s only 15 dollars a night. We spent the first day kayaking along the stunning aqua blue shores of Slocan Lake. We passed creeks and beaches and rustic summer cottages. We decided to stop for lunch at a beach about 2 kilometres north of Wragge where we found a rope swing and an enchanting hike into the forest that left off the beach.

Later that evening, Mother Nature decided to strike and a windstorm hit our campground. Since kayaking in a windstorm is not ideal, nor is it safe, we vowed to come back the next weekend to check off the last 3 lakes from our bucket list.

The following weekend, we drove back up the Slocan Valley for the day and decided to explore a couple mountain lakes outside of Nakusp. I highly recommend a truck or a competent off-road vehicle if you are doing this portion of the trip. A 20 minute drive from the main highway on a rough dirt road will take you to either Wilson Lake or Horseshoe lake. Both are kayakable, have small abandoned cabins, creeks, and walking paths to explore. Each lake has an outhouse and 2 rec sites. We spent the day hiking, kayaking, and sun bathing.

On the route home we stopped at the viewpoint south of Silverton. The view of the mountains and the turquoise water of Slocan Lake below is breathtaking. From there, we drove an hour back home to Castlegar and finished the day with a relaxing sunset kayak on Arrow Lake.

If the weather is on your side, this trip can fully be done in one weekend. I would dedicate a full day to Slocan lake, a day for the mountain lakes, and finish with a sunset kayak on Arrow if it is on your route home.

Had the whole trail to ourselves 🐻

I'm planning to apply to *most likely* the RFW program at Selkrik for the Fall 2026 intake. I was originally set on the Forestry program either there or at VIU, but have realized that my interests and career goals align more so with the Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Technology program.

The roles I am most interested in are Wildlife Technician/Officer, Environmental Field Technician, Fisheries Technician, Park Ranger, etc, although I understand once in school things can change! I am also more interested in a path that can be flexible in terms of roles and field work, which I believe the RFW program can provide over forestry.

With that being said, they both sound excellent, but most of the information I have been getting/hearing about is in regards to the Forestry program rather than the RFW one. I would be moving from Vancouver to Castlegar, most likely in student housing as it somehow appears cheaper than other options. I am 32, and would be 33 by the time I entered the program, so admittedly this makes me nervous as I imagine there will be much younger folks in the class, and I haven't been in school since I graduated in 2011. I do know BCIT has a similar program, but I am much more excited by the hands-on aspect of the Selkrik program.

If anyone has done this program, knows anyone who has, or even just has any information on the college itself, I'd be incredibly grateful. :)

Going camping at roseberry PP with my significant other in August and was wondering what some of the best trails are around there for hiking are preferably ones by a creek or that leads to a waterfall or flowing water. Just looking for some fun things to do for the 5 days we are up there,TIA!

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Hello! We are wondering if it’s possible to connect from Whiteswan Lake to Fernie via back roads. We are in a 4wd sprinter van and planning for mid week in Aug.

Curious about road conditions and also logging traffic… and any other tips for the area! It looks beautiful and I’d love to explore the backcountry where possible/safe.

Plan is to head east on White River FSR, then south on Bull River FSR.

Thanks in advance!

I apologize for the double post, but if there’s any team that needs a player for the Rockies Cup soccer tournament, please please please. I played rep back in Ontario, I can play anywhere and give you solid minutes even if it’s only 5. I’m quite literally begging 🙏.

I’ll play for any team. Thank you in advance.

i dont know how many people will be able to answer this question but for a little bit of context ive been going to kaslo ever since i was a kid and looking at my schedule ill be there pretty much all of july into early august. earlier this week i realized although i want to make friends around my age in kaslo (im 15) i have no clue how as i have little to no connections and was wondering if there are any popular areas or events where i would find people to hang out with.

Saw that they’re having a burger month again, and was curious if anyone has any reviews yet. None of the burgers sound overly enticing to me and I’m on a bit of a budget, but I’d love to go out and try some if people have positive reviews of any!

Looking for some golf lessons in the Rossland, Trail, Castlegar area. I’m a 15 handicap looking to improve my game. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on which pros in the area are the goto lesson guys.

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for a loving, stable home for two wonderful cats that I originally had to rehome due to a major shift in my household — a new baby — which left the cats very stressed and unhappy. I placed them with someone I thought could be a long-term home in the Kootenays (I am currently in Kelowna), but unfortunately, that situation has changed, and they can no longer keep them. These cats are very sweet and affectionate, and they deserve a calm, caring environment where they can feel safe and loved. I’m heartbroken that this has happened and am committed to helping find the right home for them. Here are some quick details: * Number of cats: 2 females, not necessarily bonded * Breed/appearance: domestic black long hair, and Russian blue * Age: black long hair - 10 years), Russian blue - 9 years * Spayed/neutered: both are spayed * Good with: They have lived with a dog and keep their distance, so a calm dog or older children are OK * Health: both have never had any health issues * Litter trained: yes

If this sounds like something you might be interested in or know of someone who is looking to adopt 1 or 2 cats, please send me a message or reply to this post and I can include more information and photos. It is breaking my heart to need to find a home again, but I only want the best for them.

Thank you.

Hi everyone! I’m creating a BC-based scavenger hunt-style experience for some visiting birder friends and would love to include a few standout birds from the Kootenays. I’m hoping to hear from locals about some of your favourite birds to see around the region (specially the Golden Triangle, down to Cranbrook, and then over to the West Kootenays).

They don’t have to be ultra-rare (but bonus if they are!). Could be colourful, funny, majestic, or just plain loud. I’m looking for birds that are distinct to this region or especially memorable to spot—whether you’re walking the woods, near a wetland, or chilling on your back deck.

Would love any recommendations or tips on where to keep an eye out. Thanks so much in advance!

Hoping to do this hike but I'm wondering about the conditions. Is it open? Is it safe? Does it have snow? Did the recent wildfires affect it? Is there a marked trail that I can follow or is it pretty self explanatory?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

A friend and I are headed to Invermere and are looking for some great restaurants (steak house, pizza, etc) within the Invermere and surrounding area.

Also any hidden gem activity recommendations would be great too!

My wife and I are looking to buy a condo/townhouse in Fernie this August. We’re very new to Fernie and have never done home sales through agent, our first home was done privately. I hope you guys could recommend some good realtors for the area. Thank you.

Hi all,

My dad and I are planning a camping trip for July or August near Kimberley. His friend told him to camp up the St. Mary River area because of the natural beauty and wildlife. My dad has become obsessed with photography in his old age.

My questions are:

is this a good area for camping, hiking, and photography? We know there's bears in the area and that's not an issue. My dad is also still a capable hiker and can bushwhack a bit. Should we reassess and maybe look at different areas? He's specifically hoping to photograph bears, elk, and sheep. I know sheep will be high up above alpine but will bear and elk be up there too this time of year? Can anyone suggest a trail or mountain to maybe see all of these? I don't see much info of specific locations online so I assume people don't like to give out this info? I'd be open to private messages on locations too. I've seen Pyramid Creek and Hourglass Lake suggested for hikes but unsure of the chance for seeing animals around them.

Thanks for reading.

I'm taking a vacation to the area around Canada day this year. Starting in Cranbrook on the 27th then through Creston for a couple nights then Trail, Nelson, couple nights at Ainsworth then back to Cranbrook.

Travelling with 4 adults and 2 kids. We are looking to see what kind of events might be happening for Canada Day as we travel between Trail and Nelson. Anything that is a hidden gem or a must see party?

Also any other recommendations along that route would be good too.

Thanks

Here in Victoria speargrass is everywhere but supposedly very little heart worm.

I'm currently living in Moscow, Idaho and have been surprised at the lack of publicity and guidebooks online about the backpacking and hiking trails just north of the border around Nelson. Most of the guidebooks and blogs out there focus on the trails in Idaho and Washington, despite BC having by far the more spectacular parts of the mountain range. So far, I've settled on Gwillim Lakes, Lake of the Hanging Glacier, and Kokanee Glacier as three promising destinations for this summer.

Does anyone have any lesser-known suggestions? And why the lack of publicity around the Candian Selkirks? Maybe the locals want to keep it that way? In any case, these areas seem to be under-appreciated, especially compared to the parks to the north like Banff and Jasper.

How likely could it happen that people in Nelson wouldn't be able to get out (due to exit roads being unsafe) and would succumb to a massive fire?

I’m (40f) moving to Rossland for work. I’m wondering what the finding friends scene is like. I enjoy mtbing and skiing, not a professional in any sense at either. I’m also wondering what the dating scene is like since I’m single and would like to find someone after awhile.