Mt Cooper (3089 m), Spokane Glacier and McKian Creek Drainage

Surrounding mountains that usually have snow covering them at this time of year lay barren after a very dry summer of 07'. It's been reported that the West Kootenay's are in a 6 year drought.

Mt Cooper (3089 m) and Spokane Glacier from Meadow Mountain

I had'nt been to Meadow Mountain since 1972 and then as teenagers we liked the scenery but we where more interested in exploring the new found mountain top. For the the next 34 years I always wanted to get back up to see the scenery and on my holidays in 07' I finally did. There were'nt any bears to bother a person, they had all headed down into the valleys to forage and one could sit for hours just taking it all in.

Mt Templeman from East Creek

B.B. Creek from the East Creek bridge

The photo was taken not far from the old K.F.P. (Kootenay Forest Products) formerly the (Eddy Match Stick Company), camp at 63 klm on the BCFS Duncan Lake Foresty Access Road.

Buchanan Lookout

I went to Ainsworth Hotsprings to visit a old friend but found out he was'nt home and was still in the US, so I had a afternoon to kill, so I thought that since I was around the Kaslo area I'd take a drive up to the old Buchanan Lookout that the BCFS use to use as a fire lookout before they started using planes to spot forest fires. The road was alot worse than I remember, especially towards the top, but it was well worth the drive. You could probably drive it in 4x2 in low range but it's much easier on you and the vehicle your driving if your in 4x4.

I found most of the main Kootenay Lake valley encased in haze, probably from other forest fires in the area that were not visible as well as moisture in the air and general pollution from lack of any winds to clear it out, so most of the photo's I took turned out to be a disappointment, except for this one. The Kaslo River drainage was clear of the haze.

Kootenay Lake from Kaslo, known for it's world famous Gerrard Rainbow Trout. The Purcell Mountains rise steeply to the east, giving a person some fantastic views of snow capped peaks.

Mtn Cooper, behind Meadow Mountain is one of the higher peaks in the West Kootenays, but is well hidden if one does'nt know to where to look for it.

Meadow Mountain and the Duncan Flats

Meadow Mountain in the background is littered with recent logging cut-blocks logged by SFP and old ones of KFP. The snow capped peaks as well as lower portions are skied. The Duncan Flats ( center of photo ) at the head of Kootenay Lake are used by wildlife as a sanctuary.