Cody Caves at Kaslo
Perry Mack
With the monikers like ‘British Columbia’s Prettiest Town and the Switzerland of BC’ you shouldn’t miss this little hamlet for so many different reasons! The awe inspiring lake and mountain vistas provide the perfect backdrop to the tree lined streets and elegant Victorian buildings. This little hamlet (population just over 1,000) , the first to be incorporated in 1893, is located at the Junction of Hwy 31 and 31A on the western shore of Kootenay lake between the Selkirk and Purcell mountains.
The remnants of its heyday a bustling sawmill and mining town provide a rich history that tangibly hangs in the rich pristine mountain air. It’s an RVers paradise with incredible camping, hiking trails, fishing, swimming and boating in the summer and a winter enthusiast dream come true ideal cross-country, snowshoeing, cat-skiing and snowmobiling.
Rescued from the CPR’s disposal list the SS Moyie has been beautifully restored to the stature of a National historic monument! The oldest sternwheeler of its kind in Canada is open summers only and located on the waterfront in downtown Kaslo. Sternwheelers like this one plied the waterways of Kootenay Lake from 1898 right up to 1957.
For more information www.klhs.bc.ca or (250)3535-2525 or ssmoyie@klhs.bc.ca
For a more adventurous ‘tour’, head south down hwy 31 and explore Cody Caves Provincial Park, about 3km north of Ainsworth Hot Springs. Discovered in 1890 by Henry Cody there are roughly 800 metres of explorable passageways. After entering the cave mouth with your guide, you’ll see impressive displays of stalagmites, stalactites, moonmilk, waterfalls, bacon strips, rimstone dams, galleries and chambers. A memorable excursion with some truly unique photo opportunities! One hour guided tours leave every hour on the hour from July 1 to end of August, 10am to 4pm and special 3 hour tours can also be arranged these months as well as June to October. The logging road leading up to the park can be pretty rough. I wouldn’t recommend taking your RV up to the entrance. Either leave your RV at your campsite or there’s a small parking area off the highway. If you’re driving Class A, B, C, or truck campers you’re best to get a ride up from one the tour companies.
This is a great cloudy day excursion for everyone 12 years and up. Make sure you wear warm clothes as the caves are only 7 degrees Celsius even on the hottest summer day! Tours are $15/person and they only accept cash or travellers cheques.
For more information www.codycaves.ca (250) 505-2592 caves@netidea.com
Bring your fishing gear because Kootenay lake boasts the worlds largest rainbow trout! The lake rarel freezes so you can fish year round for Kokanee, Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout and more.
Golf at the Kaslo Golf Club on Oak Avenue. Make sure you bring your camera. You’ll be impressed with the views on each of the 9 holes. A panoramic lake view the full length of the #1 fairway, and a glacier view on the 4th green will lead you to the 5th fairway lined with hundred-year-old apple trees, whose fruit you are welcome to enjoy in season.
It is a 9 hole course, and plays as a 2,824 yard, Men's par 35, Women's par 37 course with well conditioned grass greens and well-manicured fairways. New sand in the bunkers is carefully maintained. A water hazard is presently under construction and should be in play this year. There is a driving net and practice green available.
More information: www.kaslogolf.org (250) 353-2262 info@kaslogolf.org
Closest RV Park
Woodbury Resort & Marina
Ainsworth, BC
www.woodburyresort.com
(877) 353-7717
woodburyresort@netidea.com