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When winter starts to lose its grip The Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia's Kootenays Region come alive with such vigour and vitality that just being there is rejuvenating! With 8 peaks over 8,000' the possibilities for alpine hiking are vast. In summer, we offer multi-day alpine hiking trips. Depending on your backcountry skill level and preferences you can choose between guided and catered, catered and self-guided or self-guided and self-catered trip options. Size of groups ranges from 8 - 12 people. The terrain below 7,000' is sub-alpine, characterized by rolling meadows filled with herbaceous vegetation and alpine flowers. Snow fed creeks and tarns (small alpine lakes) are found throughout. BC's profilic wildlife, Hummingbirds, Blue Grouse, marmots, chipmunks and hares all call the meadows home.
The meadows are interspersed with tight groves of hardy Spruce, Balsam and Whitebark pine, creating an ideal habitat for bird watching - species such as Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Chickadee and Clark’s Nutcracker.
Above 7,000' the meadows give way to boulder fields and grassy approaches to the ridge tops. Golden Eagles, Great Gray Owls and Red-tailed Hawks are frequent visitors to these mountains.
Many species of flora and fauna have found a unique ecological niche here; from pipits to pikas, grizzlies to goats, observing them in their natural habitat is a rare treat for avid naturalists.
Your wilderness hiking holiday with Valkyr Adventures begins at our staging area off of Hwy.6 just south of Burton, BC. After introductions, gear check and a chat about hiking safely in bear country, we will transport you to the trailhead at approximately 1,970m (6,460') elevation. This is where we shoulder our packs and put our boots to the wilderness trail. As an alternative we can load your gear (up to 25lb) on to our pack llamas. The hike to our backcountry lodge generally takes around 3 hours.
Along the way we pass through subalpine forests and alpine meadows with frequent rest stops to help you adjust to the mountain air. The trail is a gradual ascent along a broad ridge that gives a great view of the surrounding mountains. At the height of land 2,350m (7,700'), we have a snack break and take in the view of Grizzly Basin far below us. At this point the trail drops and regains 150m (500') in a short space. From there it’s all downhill to the lodge at 2,208m (7,285').
A hearty lunch will be served upon arrival at the backcountry lodge after which there is still plenty of time left in the day for a jaunt around the basin.
For the duration of your stay with Valkyr Adventures we will take you on a series of day hikes to the surrounding lakes, peaks and alpine bowls. Along the way you will learn a little about the geology, ecology and weather patterns of these mountains. The day hikes are designed with the groups ability and interests in mind. At day's end there is a mountain size feast and a relaxing sauna to look forward to!
At Valkyr Adventures, our guides are experienced in British Columbia wilderness mountain travel and have a comprehensive knowledge of alpine hiking in the Valkyr Range and surrounding mountain ranges. They are qualified 1st Aid attendants and are trained in bear awareness and hazard management. They can answer your questions, take your picture and get you there and back...
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