Welcome to Shannon Lake! This area is
truly one of the most beautiful in the Kootenays. Amazing views,
great camping spots, and a lake full of cutthroat trout await the
avid cacher. However this cache is going to require a fair amount
of effort on your part, hence the terrain "5" rating.
Congrats
to the kootenay pirates who ventured up here late in the fall for
the FTF! You guys rock!
The
Shannon Lake Trail is reached by turning on to the Bonanza Creek
Forest Service Road (FSR), immediately south of Hills. It's a left
turn if coming from New Denver, right if coming from Nakusp. Follow
this road until you see a sign for the Shannon Creek FSR, which
takes off to the right. (near N 50 04.600 W 117
28.953)
You'll need to drive about 10 kms
along the Shannon Creek FSR and cross a new bridge before seeing
the road to Shannon Lake on your left (N 50 04.916 W 117 34.856).
At this point you have two options; you can park here and walk the
2.5 kms to the trailhead (easy hike), or proceed down the road,
though the alder bushes are taking over. Things are tight at the
beginning and they don't get any better - your paint finish will
suffer.
At the trail head and upper parking
(N 50 04.569 W 117 34.740), the trail begins in earnest, heading
steepy up the west side of the creek. Whoever punched this trail
in, did not believe in switchbacks, so expect a steep hike. However
the trail to the lake is only 1.6 km long, so steep but short and
well worth it.
I wish I could tell you that you're
near the cache, but alas, there are even better views to be had, so
you have more hiking ahead of you. There is a decent trail all the
way around the west side of the lake, which passes at least four
really nice camp spots. When I placed this cache, we camped at a
great spot (with a picnic table) half way along the lake, on a
rocky peninsula.
When you first see the lake, at the
far end, on the left, is a rocky scree valley heading up towards a
pass between two peaks. This is your general direction of travel.
It's best to follow the trail around the lake until it disappears,
then cut through the light underbrush towards the rocks. Watch your
footing as the creek here is often hidden by tall grass.
Once at the rock slide, you'll need
to cut up and across it to find a faint trail (which is easier
going than straight up the rocks, but that's how we initially did
it.) When standing on the rocks, look for a faint trail along the
scree slope on the right hand side. You can follow this all the way
to the cache. At this point it should be pretty obvious where
you're heading. Use the map above for reference, as cutting
straight cross country will only lead you to sloughs, cliffs, and
heartache.
The cache is located in a island of
trees between the trail and the creek. I've included some spoiler
photos and a generous hint - I wouldn't want anyone to hike this
far and come up with a DNF. The cache is in plain view, but well
out of sight. Once you find it, you'll have to find a way to get to
it (nothing too crazy).
For those who still want more
hiking, the pass above you affords stunning views of the Monashees,
the Selkirks near Revelstoke, and close up views of the Valhallas.
The climbing is rocky but no steeper than what you've already
done!
At the end of the day, with parking
at the upper spot, you will have hiked about 7 km. From the lower
spot, about 12 km. Easily achievable in a day. Hiking to the pass
adds another 2 km, roughly. You're looking for an ammo can. But I
leave it up to you, fearless cacher. Feel free to ask for
directions before tackling this one. Enjoy!