Stagleap Park
About this Park
This park is located at the summit of the highest all weather highway pass in B.C. and one of the highest paved highways in Canada! Enjoy the subalpine forest from the luxury of your car or go for a short walk around Bridal Lake. In addition, the park provides important habitat for the vulnerable Southern Selkirk population of grizzly bear.
Stagleap Park is one of the most accessible backcountry skiing destinations in the region and has consistently excellent snow conditions that have made it a major backcountry ski and snowshoe destination. The terrain can be very hazardous in winter (extreme avalanche dangers) and off-trail use is discouraged. Only those with proper equipment and training should venture into backcountry areas.
Hiking the high alpine areas, such as Ripple Ridge and Cornice Ridge, is also very popular in the summer months.
Safety information
- The park is primarily a wilderness area with unpredictable weather and terrain conditions. Backcountry travel should only be attempted by experienced persons with appropriate equipment.
Special notes
- Hunting is not permitted in Stagleap Park.
- This park is user-maintained, so please pack out any garbage.
- Winter parking space is limited
Stagleap Park has an average of 2.5 m of settled snow on the ground at the level of the pass during the late winter. There is very limited space to pile this snow during snow clearing operations in the main day use carpark and the number of available parking spaces is reduced. When visiting the Park, please help to reduce pressure on the limited parking by carpooling if possible.
Location notes
This park is located 34 km West of Creston on Hwy #3. The closest communities are Salmo and Creston.
Activities
- 164:Hiking For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.Summer hiking trail map
- 164:Canoeing There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
- 164:Fishing Bridal Lake offers fishing for rainbow trout.
- 164:Pets on leash Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets, due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times within the park.
- 164:Winter recreation Ski mountaineering is available. Users are responsible for their snow stability evaluation (avalanche hazard) route finding, self rescue and first-aid. See General Safety and Ethics for avalanche information. There are also cross-country opportunities in the park but no track set. Snowshoeing and tobogganing may be available.There is Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) mapping available for Stagleap Park on the Avalanche Canada webpage. Please refer to the Avalanche.ca Trip Planner to assist in winter trip planning.
- 164:Kayaking There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
Facilities
- 164:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
Location
49.06020, -117.04860 · Kootenay Lake
