Scenic drive over Kootenay Pass on PH-3 British Columbia
July 5, 2007.
We are staying in Pair-A-Dice
RV-Park, in Creston,
British Columbia. $26.71 gravel interior roads, FHU including
cable. This is an OK RV Park.
We decided to do the Scenic
Loop around Kootenay Lake today, starting in Creston
and heading west over Kootenay Pass. Kootenay Pass is located between
Creston
and Salmo on PH 3.
But before we start climbing Kootenay Pass ---- PH 3 crosses "the
Flats" that old marsh area that has been converted into
a wonderful farming region by dikes that contain the Kootenay River.
I stopped to watch this hay baler. Look closely at the back of this
baler and you will see it "birthing" a huge bale of hay.
In addition to hay and grain fields there is a smattering of these
bright yellow canola fields.
Mechanized hay bale hauler & unloader
This mechanized bale hauler and stacker was operating in the same
field that the baler was working in. Notice how this rig has the ability
to stack these large bales 4-deep. We watched as this driver unloaded
the stack of hay bales directly behind where he is about to deposit
this stack of 4-bales. The operation is about as mechanized as it
can be.
Selkirk Mountains British Columbia on Kootenay Pass Highway PH-3
After crossing "the Flats" we entered the Selkirk
Mountains and immediately began to climb, as in seriously
climb.
Kootenay Pass Highway PH-3
I think we were on an 8% grade for 16 to 18 miles. I couldn't find
any information on Kootenay Pass that I could share with you. What
I can tell you is that the grade goes on for what seems like forever,
and it is an 8% or better grade. I am very glad we are in our Saturn
and not the motorhome.
Kootenay Pass on PH3 on British Columbia
This is getting near the summit and things have flattened out while
we wait for the down grade on the other side.
Crest of Kootenay Pass PH3 British Columbia
This is more of that traveling around at the crest of Kootenay Pass
waiting for the sign signaling we are heading down.
Avalanche chutes and glacial cirques near Kootenay Pass on PH-3
Avalanche chutes and glacial
cirques are what provide the scenery at this altitude.
Near the summit of Kootenay Pass British Columbia
on PH3
The sides fall off dramatically but as you can tell we are very near
the summit.
Glacial Cirque close to the summit of Kootenay Pass on PH3
We are very close to that cupped out cirque.
At a higher altitude it would be full of glacial ice year around.
Caribou at the summit of Kootenay Pass on PH3
The Provinçial Road Maintenance Office maintained a materials
storage area at the summit. Caribou
(reindeer) were actively using this as a mineral lick.
Caribou or Reindeer at summit of Kootenay Pass Highway PH-3
I asked several locals what these were and ALL of them said elk.
We are tourist from Florida and even we know better than that. They
were much smaller than any elk we have ever seen plus their coloring
was much lighter as in almost a cream color.
Reindeer or Caribou at the summit of Kootenay Pass
PH3 British Columbia
Their antlers had flat spots and all elk I have ever seen had antlers
that were for the most part round. Also these animals sported a very
light color neck area as compared to the remainder of their body's
color.
Even when I pointed out these characteristics the locals kept insisting
they were elk. I hope none of them wasted any money on a hunting license.
Young reindeer or caribou at the summit of Kootenay Pass on PH3
There were babies present in the group although none in this group.
The adults mostly looked like they may weigh possibly 200 pounds.
You can see the light coloring on the neck if you examine the cow
in the picture above.
We are in extreme southern British Columbia less than 50-miles from
the Washington-Idaho border high in the Selkirk Mountains 30-miles
west of Creston,
British Columbia.
Kootenay Pass on PH3 summit sign
Warning sign that we are headed down the western slope of Kootenay
Pass on PH3
This sign is at the summit as we are headed west. What this sign
does not say is that at the end of this 8% grade there are several
signs for 6% grades then several more for 4% grades. Like I said the
grade on both side goes on and on and on for what seems like an eternity.
Lake at the summit of Kootenay Pass on PH3
This beautiful lake was at the summit located across the street from
the highway maintenance departments materials storage area where the
reindeer were.
Steep grade down the western side of Kootenay pass on PH-3
At last it is time to tackle the down grade.
There is a steep and long grade down the western side of Kootenay
Pass on PH-3
Like the grade up the grade down goes on constantly.
Steep grade on western side of Kootenay Pass on PH3
Trucks had to gear way down and creep down the same way they got
up. Note the runaway truck ramp at the end of this straight grade.
There must have been 5 or more runaway truck ramps on the west side
of Kootenay pass.
Runaway escape lane on Kootenay Pass Highway PH-3
That must be wonderful sight if you are a trucker in distress.
Big Horn sheep sign on Kootenay Pass Highway PH-3
We were told that big horn sheep were a common sighting up here but
we did not see any. If you happen by this way make sure that you keep
your eyes pealed for "Big Horn Sheep" near the summit.
