Silver Spring Lakes

BOU AVENUE
Silver Spring Lakes

On 18 May 2024, Zosia Zgolak and I visited Silver Spring Lakes near Elko, British Columbia. The hike is described in Janice Strong's guidebook Mountain Footsteps: Hikes in the East Kootenay of Southeastern British Columbia. When Zosia and I hiked up nearby Elko Hill two years earlier, we were dismayed that we could not see any of the lakes from the hill's high point. The lakes are apparently visible from another high point further south (also described in Strong's guidebook), but at the time, we did not think about venturing there. Fortunately, the lakes are easily accessed via a good trail from the north, and as a result, they are popular with cliff jumpers and other aquatic recreationists.

In the town of Elko, drive east on Alexander Avenue which turns into Cascade Avenue as it bends southward past the intersection with Kyrke Street. About 350 metres past the intersection, make a hairpin turn to the left onto River Road (2WD gravel) and descend to a one-lane bridge over Elk River. Past the bridge, drive 2.3 kilometres to a large pullout on the right. Park here. An unsigned trail begins at the west end of the pullout.

From the pullout, Zosia and I followed the trail which rises through a short stretch of forest before crossing a powerline right-of-way. We then continued climbing the forested trail which runs more or less parallel to an old road before the two merge just before the north end of the first lake. The trail climbs over a rocky knoll, and there are numerous cliff tops here that grant scenic views of the lake. Passing a convenient composting toilet, we continued south along the trail which hugs the eastern shore of the first lake before re-entering forest to reach the second lake. The only clear viewpoint for the second lake is at its south end, but we were more enthralled by some loons that we spotted here. After going through another stretch of forest, we left the main trail to reach some open rock benches near the north end of the third lake. The scenic benches are a great spot to lounge about especially if the weather is sunny. The main trail becomes less-defined along the east shore of the third lake, but it is possible to continue for another kilometre or so to two small ponds further to the southeast. While appealing to waterfowl, these two small ponds are unremarkable and not really worth the extra effort to visit.

Scattered showers dogged Zosia and me as we retreated the same way back to the trailhead. We had some minor route-finding issues near the third lake and again while exiting the first lake, but otherwise, our egress was largely uneventful.

	Zosia begins hiking at the trailhead.
	Crossing a powerline right-of-way, Sonny comes across a presumably modern pictograph. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The north end of the first lake is likely a popular spot for cliff jumping.
	Zosia gives thumbs up to a composting toilet located near the first lake.
	Zosia hikes along the east shore of the first lake.
	A flock of Canada geese fly high overhead.
	The trail runs right along the edge of the first lake here.
	Near the south end of the second lake, Zosia is enthralled by a couple of loons (difficult to see here) on the far shore.
	Zosia crosses the bottom of a talus slope on her way to the third lake.

Arguably the most scenic of the three main lakes.

Zosia arrives at the third lake.

	Zosia is less than impressed by one of two small ponds located about a kilometre southeast of the third lake.
	Zosia retraces her steps along the east shore of the first lake on the hike out.
	Total Distance: 11.2 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 5 hours 27 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 158 metres GPX Data