A Kokanee Glacier Hut
The Silver Spray Cabin is i n Kokanee Glacier National Park and sits at 2,340 metres. It was built in the 1920s as a shelter for the Violet Mining Company that was working in the area. The B.C. Parks Branch began operating and maintaining the cabin in the early 1930s. It was used as a refuge for backcountry enthusiasts until the Kootenay Section of the Alpine Club of Canada took over. In the 1950s and 1960s, the club used it for work parties. Parks soon got involved and started to work with the club to restore the hut, it was clear there was a lot of work that needed to be done.
By the 1980s, Parks wanted to build a new hut to replace the old one. Protesters wanted to keep the old cabin for historical purposes and all construction stopped. It is now considered a historical site by the Parks and evidence of the old mine can be found nearby. It is now used as a base for mountaineers exploring Kokanee Park, which is located in the southeastern section of the Selkirk Mountains. The trail starts at the Woodbury trailhead near Nelson. The road to the trailhead requires highclearance vehicles. The hike follows seven kilometres of path and you gain about 1,000 metres of elevation. The hut itself has propane cooking, lighting and heating. Cookware and dishware are provided. Sleeping is in the loft area on foam pads.
The Park has two glaciers, the Kokanee and Woodbury. The large ice sheets feed over 30 lakes and many small creeks. The terrain is rugged and requires good backcountry sk il ls to navigate. Near the hut is Mount McQuarrie, a 2,468metre mountain with moderate objectives. Sunrise Mountain stands at 2,339 metres and has great rock climbing. There are long dihedrals and low-angle ridges. Another popular summit is the 2,481- metre Evening Star Peak that stands close to the hut and has many easy climbs and moderate alpine couloirs.
Kokanee Park was set aside in 1922 and is one of the oldest parks in the provincial system. It straddles the crest of long ridges between Kootenay Lake and Slocan Lake. For nearly 100 years, climbers have been visiting this area of B.C. For the adventurous climber, there are dozens of proud lines yet to be climbed.–