Kootenay Lake ~ SS Moyie ~ Kaslo, BC

We have visited Kaslo, BC several times in the past and have always enjoyed this lovely little village on the Kootenay Lake at the junction of Hwy 31 and 31A.   I have written about our previous visits in Kaslo, (you can click here to see more), but there is always more to see and enjoy.  Our visit today is a bit overcast but the sights of early snowcapped mountains are amazing to see.

Mt. Loki in Purcell Mountains 

The Vimy Park sits at the edge of town on the water and is also home to the Kaslo Municipal Campground for the RV’ers travelling this way.  The location is within walking distance to downtown and offers great views no matter where you are parked. Mt. Loki, (elev.2779 m. – 9117 ft) part of the Purcell Mountains was surrounded by clouds on our visit but offers a beautiful sight anyway. 

SS Moyie Steamboat and Museum in Kaslo, BC 

We’ve never had the tour of the SS Moyie before and today was going to be the day that we get to see the beautiful old passenger sternwheeler as she was in all her glory.  This National Historic site was first launched in Nelson, BC in 1898 and retired in 1957 after steaming the Kootenay Lake for all those years. 

Steering wheel of the SS Moyie, Kaslo, BC

The SS Moyie logged almost a million miles of travel and memories during that time, carrying generations of families making the Kootenay Lake area their home.  The legacy continued with families and workers, as well as soldiers from both world wars.  The story is told with photos and a video that are seen when you visit the visitor center nearby.

Trunks in storage in SS Moyie

The SS Moyie restoration was a volunteer project that took years of hard work to get to where she is now and restored to the Victorian design she originally had.  We enjoyed seeing the beauty of that era and have to marvel at the job well done by this small community of Kaslo in their accomplishments with this sternwheeler.  

Kaslo River follows Hwy 31A

We left town and followed Hwy 31A to see all the wildlife and beautiful scenic sights offered along this road that connects Kaslo and New Denver.  We’d last driven this section of highway pulling the RV, following the Kaslo River which travels about 48 km. (30 mi) to Kootenay Lake.  The Kaslo to Sandon Railway once made its’ way through here to deliver the silver mined in Sandon, in the Silvery Slocan area. There are many marked trails along this old railway trail.  Click here to see our recent visit to Sandon. 

Red-tailed hawk searching for prey

We’d been told there were all kinds of wildlife to be seen along this section of road but the only wildlife we did see was this hawk, circling overhead on one of our stops to enjoy the views.  We didn’t get to see what he was looking for but with water nearby, there is no doubt there were many little critters down there. 

Hwy 31A roadside 

We were able to see a small beaver dam on the river running through this area.  I don’t know the reason the water took on such a turquoise color in some spots but it sure did look pretty on this flat area among some trees.  The Kaslo River is fed by a lot of creeks running off both sides of the highway all through this area.  

Beaver lodge near Kaslo River

Another claim made was that we’d see the “biggest beaver lodges”.  Maybe that is true, this was a pretty big beaver home that looked like it had been there for awhile.  We didn’t see any of those hardworking beavers who are our Canadian national animal, but they tend to be nocturnal.  Signs of their work is more likely to be seen than they are. This was just not a day for wildlife viewing. 

Cloud shrouded Selkirk Mountains 

As much as this was not a day for wildlife viewing, we were not disappointed in the sights we did see and enjoy.  The day was chilly, not a typical early autumn day; the snow was not too far away, although that is not unusual for this time of year and we saw more beautiful snowcapped mountains.  We had a great day of sightseeing.

We’d now completed the ‘Silvery Slocan Circle Route’ and have seen the sites from New Denver, Sandon, Nelson to Kaslo and around on Hwy 31A almost back to New Denver. We have more Kootenay roads to cover and share from our travels in the Fall of 2013 as well as many from the past visits. 

Kaslo, B.C., Canada

While RV'ing home from our recent visit to the Kootenay's, we were so fortunate to have this beautiful sunny day to enjoy and to also see the first snowfall of the year off in the distance. The clouds were hanging just below the mountain tops and it was an awesome sight.

Snowcap view from Vimy Park

Kaslo, B.C., population 1029, is 70 km (42 mi) north of Nelson on Hwy 31, and a beautiful RV drive along the Kootenay Lake shoreline. Kaslo is the oldest incorporated community in the Kootenays, built in the silver boom of the 1800's. Nestled in the incredible Kootenay Rockies, Kaslo, B.C. was voted one of Canada's prettiest towns, and once you're there, it is so easy to understand why. They've restored the heritage village and offer quite a shopping assortment, ranging from restaurants to galleries with works of local artists and artisans, and many other shops, as well.

Vimy Park at lakes edge has Kaslo Municipal campground with an incredible view of the mountains.The campground is open from May 1 to Sept. 30th yearly with an easy walk downtown.

Sailing on an autumn day

Kootenay Lake is the largest natural lake in the Kootenay Rockies region and the third largest in B.C. The lake offers many ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Sailboating is a favorite for many but pleasure boats of all kinds are seen enjoying the lake as well. Fishing is a great sport in this area with fish up to 12 kg (26 lbs) caught, with the north end of the lake being good for the Kokanee trout. Kaslo Bay Park, with a boat launch just west of this photo, offers great summer fun for day visitors at the lake and a view of the majestic mountains in the background.

SS Moyie

The SS Moyie is the worlds oldest sternwheeler. Since it's retirement in the 1950's, it has become a Provincial Heritage Landmark and a National Historic Site of Canada. This beautiful sternwheeler museum is a testament to the group of volunteers who worked on her restoration for 40 years and she sits proudly at the shores of Kootenay Lake in downtown Kaslo, B.C.

                                                    Fall colors frame a downtown church

The colors of fall always add such beauty to a sunny autumn day and Kaslo is a town of many colors. If only I had a way of getting aerial pictures of town to show, but I am happy with just being able to enjoy the colors. This quaint town is home to many heritage style buildings and shows a community pride. There are many activities and events planned throughout the year, bringing many visitors to enjoy the splendor of Kaslo, B.C.

Kootenay Lake, B.C.

The entire region surrounding Kootenay Lake offers incredible RV'ing opportunities. So many sights to see with a great history to enjoy. We have RV'ed in many places but not all of them yet. We still have lots to see and enjoy but we will share some of the great pictures we have and stories we've learned about the towns and communities that enjoy the grand Kootenay Lake and all it has to offer.

Kootenay Lake, B.C.

Kootenay Lake is 144 km (90mi) long and is bound by the Purcell Range on the east side and the Selkirk Mountain Range on the west. The average width is 4 km (2.5 mi) and 8 km (5 mi) at the widest part and is up to 152 m.(500 ft) deep. The lake was formed during the ice age which created the farmlands around Creston rich in glacial till.

This beautiful lake also has wetlands at both ends of the lake as well as at Crawford Bay. There are 7000 hectare in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area which is host to over 260 species of birds, which include pelicans and swans. The fact that the lake remains ice-free in winter makes it available year round.

There are large populations of coyote, mountain goats, deer, elk, moose, bear and cougar that share this wilderness with the many people that live and tourists that visit this incredible part of the country. One needs to remember that and respect the wildlife and their habitat.

                                                            SS Moyie sternwheeler

Some of the many communities, towns and villages that surround Kootenay Lake were accessible by sternwheelers only until the 1950’s, Highways now link them all but ferry service makes some trips much shorter by offering free ferry service across the lake. That means more opportunity to see the lake with incredible mountain views to enjoy. The SS Moyie, located in Kaslo, B.C., Canada, started service in 1898 and discontinued ferry service in the 1950's.