Arrow Lakes & Slocan Valley |
|
The Slocan Valley and Arrow Lakes region of British
Columbia is an easily accessible wilderness area that also has a great
deal of history. To get to the area you can take the Crowsnest Highway
3 from the east or west to Castlegar, the crossroads of the Kootenay
area, or from Vernon take Highway 6 to Needles on the west side of
Lower Arrow Lake. There is also a regional airport in Castlgar.
From Needles you can take the ferry across the lake and continue on
an interesting trip along Highway 6. From Castlegar you can go the
opposite way on Highway 6.
Originally, over 3000 years ago, the area was inhabited by The Lakes Indians. Known as "Sun-aich-kist", meaning Dolly Varden trout, they were considered extinct in 1956 after being absorbed into other tribes. Castlegar came to being in 1902 when a bridge was built across the Columbia River which connected the Columbia and Kootenay, the Columbia and Western and the Kettle Valley railroads. The original station burned to the ground in 1906 and it's replacement is one of the best preserved stations in the province to this day. Today in Castlegar you can still feel the strong influence of the Doukhobors, Russian pacifists who settled in the region with one of North America's most successful communal enterprises, through their unique Russian cuisine and crafts. The area around Castlegar is also an excellent spot for the recreationalist with 6 golf courses within 10 to 45 minutes drive, extensive lakes and waterways for the angler, hiking and biking trails, and just 10 minutes away waterways so challenging that the 1995 Canadian Whitewater Championships were held here. Skiers will like the convenience of the Red Mountain and Whitewater ski areas. Along Highway 6 can be found many attractions and recreations spots. Along the west shore of Slocan Lake is Valhalla Provincial Park with tumultuous creeks and waterfalls, crystalline lakes and majestic stands of timber. Hiking and climbing is as difficult or easy as you wish to make it. Silverton, New Denver, and Sandon all have museums that depict the mining fervour that built the area. Sandon, once a thriving city of 5000, is now a historical ghost town with a visitors centre in the restored Mercantile Building. In New Denver you can visit the Nikkei Internment Memorial which commemorates the thousands of Japanese-Canadians displaced to the area during World War II. Farther along Highway 6 is Nakusp Hot Springs with 2 pools, one hot at 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) and the other hotter at 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 F), to soak in. And not to forget the golfer courses can be found near New Denver and Winlaw. The fishing in this area is excellent with the world's largest breed of rainbow trout along with Dolly Varden and kokanee. This is a perfect area to take the time to enjoy whether you are on vacation or business.
|