Day Hike - Monica Meadows

7:00am Glacier Creek Regional Park campground (near N end Kootenay Lake, N of Kaslo BC), convoy/carpool to TH (approx 1-1.25 hr drive).  High clearance AWD-type vehicle recommended (or 4WD may be advised to TH).  

Leader will check on road conditions from Monica/Jumbo junction to Monica Meadows trailhead, and advise if we will be able to reach TH with AWD vehicles or if alternate parking between junction and TH is necessary. 

All vehicles parked overnight at Monica Meadows trailhead  are strongly recommended to have chicken wire wrap (see route/place link for details). 

Recommend car camp prior night at Glacier Creek Campground (near N end Kootenay Lk, N of Kaslo BC), and night following Monica Meadows trip.

Link to Glacier Creek campground:  https://www.rdrk.ca/EN/main/services/parks/glacier-creek-regional-park.html

Updated 4/14:

Members only.  Minimum 3 persons.  Leader permission required. Prefer participants registering for both trips:  7/31-8/1 Jumbo Pass backpack and 8/2 Monica Meadows day hike.

Read all leader notes and route/place info including links, before submitting request for leader permission. 

Submit leader permission request forms beginning April 18.  Leader permission request forms will include complete responses with following information:  provide examples of your recent (during last 12-24 mo) Mountaineers (at least one) moderately strenuous day hikes/backpacks  (incl location, mileage, elev gain), are you flexible to do this trip as 1-day hike or 2-day backpack (in lieu of 7/31-8/1 Jumbo Pass) if Jumbo Pass TH not accessible beyond Monica/Jumbo junction, planned comparable hikes/backpacks between now and 7/20, what are your primary interests in this particular trip (hiking, backpack, photography, other), current fitness activities, approx pack weight for comparable hike or 1-night backpack, comfort/experience with travel over potential early summer snow fields, comfort/experience with back country travel/camping in grizzly habitat including agreeing to carry bear spray, transportation plans (drive high-clearance or need ride, carpool interest), have current passport for border crossing, and commitment level for this trip. 

Itinerary:   Relaxed pace /1-1.5 mph uphill; relaxed to moderate pace flats/descents/1.5-2 mph.

Day Hike:  6 mi RT, through forest and meadows to ridge with panoramic viewpoint (7,900').   Explore  beyond ridge, descending slightly into meadows sloping west and wander awhile in this beautiful setting.   Option to continue exploration east of main meadows toward wall extending SE of Mt Monica to visit a lake in upper basin, and two more lakes below. 6-8+ miles RT, approx 2,000' gain/loss.

Backpack, 2 days: 

Day 1:  2 mi (approx 1-1/2 to 2 hrs from TH), reach end of established  trail (in larch stand) and set up camp  (outhouse nearby) in this less sensitive  location than more fragile higher alpine.  Continue hiking and exploring areas described in day hike itinerary.  Approx 6 miles, 2,000' gain with some loss on return to camp. 

Day 2:  Morning hiking into higher alpine before returning to camp, and return to trailhead.  Approx 4-5 miles, and 800-1,000' gain and up to 2,000' loss. 

Trailhead facilities:  Table and pit toilet. 

Link to photos and trip report:  

https:// field and forest.co/adventures/jumbo

https://offtracktravel.ca/monica-meadows-trail-kaslo-bc/

Leader will schedule return photo-oriented relaxed-pace trip (1 night backpack, or two day hikes with camp at TH or Glacier Crk CG) in late September (approx 9/21-25) for beautiful golden larches amid mountain/lake scenery.

Nearest full service town is  Kaslo, BC (groceries, gas, restaurants, outdoor supplies, cell service.  Very limited services near N-end of Kootenay Lake and closer to Glacier Creek CG in Copper Creek (gas station / convenience store) or Meadow Creek (gas station, grocery store, restaurant, community campground with showers and laundromat).