A continuous trail, 30.4km in length following a high elevation route along the interconnecting alpine ridges west of Rossland past the peaks of the Rossland Range.
For hiking, biking, horseback riding and winter touring.
Recognized as one of a relatively limited number of Epic trails world-wide by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).
Direction to Trailheads:
“Start Point”:
Downtown Rossland at the intersection of Columbia Ave. & Washington St.
{beside Ferraro’s Supermarket, Subway, Pro Hardware & Old Bank building}
(Elev: 1032m/3385ft)
Trailhead at North End:
Nancy Greene Summit on Hwy 3B (‘Strawberry Flats’) at paved parking area.
(Elev: 1575m/5170ft.)
Directions from Start Point in downtown Rossland:
0.0 km: West on Columbia Ave
1.2 km: [Jct at Mine Museum: Hwy 3B & Hwy22] Right on Hwy 3B
2.4 km: [Jct of Hwy 3B & Kirkup Ave]
[Note: ‘short-cut’ to this Jct: 1.1 km through town. North up Washington St. and Plewman Way; then west along Kirkup Ave]
5.2 km: [Turnoff Hwy 3B to Red Resorts Ski Area – various hiking, biking & horse-back riding routes up through ski area to Km 18.3 of Seven Summits
Trail]. Continue north on Hwy 3B.
11.2 km: [Hanna Creek Trailhead; road leading up off Hwy 3B. This is the trailhead for the Old Glory Trail and the Plewman Trail. These join the Seven Summits Trail at Km 13.7 and Km 10.3, respectively (measured from north end)]. Continue north on Hwy 3B.
21.2 km: North Trailhead. Nancy Greene Summit at paved parking area off Hwy 3B on left-hand (southwest) side. Kiosk with trail information.
Trailhead at South End:
1st Summit on Rossland Cascade Rd (opposite top of Dewdney Drop trail).
(Elev: 1410m/4630ft)
Directions from “Start Point” in downtown Rossland:
0.0 km: West on Columbia Avenue
1.2 km: [Jct at Mine Museum: Hwy 3B & Hwy 22] Left on Hwy 22 (toward Patterson)
1.6 km: [Jct of Hwy 22 & Rossland Cascade Rd]
Right on Rossland Cascade Rd past Recycling Bins.
1.0 km: End of blacktop surface. A good gravel-surfaced road continues. Maintained by the Department of Highways to the rural community of Sheep Creek some 20 km distant (beyond the South Trailhead). Logging truck markers along this road show “KM” s from the Hwy 22 turnoff. Continue.
13.8 km: South Trailhead. 1st Summit on Rossland Cascade Rd at “KM 12” sign. Right-hand (north) side. Opposite TransCanada Trail & “Dewdney Dop”.
Seven Summits Trail - Travel from North to South:
{NOTE: At the north end, it may be possible to drive up a Forest Service Road to the 3.4 km point on the trail. Sections are very rough with alder encroachment.
0.0 km: (Elev 1575m/5170ft) North Trailhead with Kiosk.
Go on Hwy 3B northward toward Nancy Greene Lake.
0.3 km: Turnoff. Left onto wide gravel road into Highways Maintenance Yard
0.4 km: Branch. Take lesser road branching down to the right.
1.8 km: Do not take branch road to the left. Continue straight ahead to 3.4km.
Road steep and rough between approximately Kms 2.5 and 3.4. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is required}.
From Nancy Greene Pass - North Trailhead Kiosk
0.0 Km: (Elev 1575m/5170ft) North Trailhead with Kiosk.
Trail begins beside Kiosk. Go through band of trees, then left around perimeter of large gravel pit on level trail to SE corner of open area; then into trees for about 100m.
0.65 Km: Bridge over Booty’s Creek.
Up through spaced, big trees. Out into clear cut.
1.0 Km: Onto Forest Service Road in clear cut.
Left up road which eventually turns right uphill to a landing at its end.
1.5 Km: Landing at top of Forest Service Road.
Trail up through top of clear cut area to treeline. Side trail to Eagle’s Nest Cabin halfway (cabin 50m or so to left).
1.75 Km: Flat rock at treeline (top edge of clear cut).
Up through trees, back and forth to where trail passes the Sunspot Cabin.
2.75 Km: Past Sunspot Cabin.
Down slightly, then up through new forest.
3.0 Km: Onto Forest Service Road.
Up road to left.
3.4 Km: (Elev 1790m/5880ft) End of Forest Service Road in Lepsoe Basin.
Trail runs to the right across cut-block (not up toward top of cut-block). Climb gradually across rock slabs and a wet area. Then, up into forest.
3.8 Km: (Elev 1810m/5940ft) Cross creek on bridge just after entering the forest. Up 3 switchbacks to rim of basin (this being the large basin with Mt. Lepsoe (Berry) at its head). Then, climb steadily on a long, continuous traverse for about 2.5 km around west of Mt. Lepsoe(Berry).The initial forest gives way to more openings and views of Old Glory.
6.4 Km: (Elev. 2110m/6930ft) Elgood Saddle south of Mt. Lepsoe(Berry).
Views east down into Elgood Creek to Columbia River. Trail goes south along and up main ridge (2 switchbacks), curving to west in terrain that becomes more alpine and more open.
7.5 Km: (Elev. 2200m/7230ft) North end of a flat section of ridge (Km 7.5 to Km 7.9).
Highest part of entire trail. Traverses across nearly 3 km of spectacular, open terrain sweeping west of Mt. Plewman. Trail touches three passes with overlooks to the east to basins below, the Columbia River and distant ranges. Runs close by the summit of Mt. Plewman (easily gained by short side trip). After an up-and-down over a prominent knoll and a crossing of the east face of Unnecessary Peak, the trail joins the Plewman Trail.
10.3 Km: (Elev. 2110m/6930ft) Plewman Trail junction just south of Unnecessary Peak.
The Seven Summits Trail joins the historic Plewman Trail.
[NOTE: One can descend to Hwy 3B on this Plewman Trail by going left at this junction. It is approximately 5 km in length and is relatively steep for its upper half. The Plewman Trail meets Hwy 3B at the Hanna Creek Trailhead (Elev 1390m/4560ft)]
Go right, and the Seven Summits and Plewman Trails jointly descend about 100m southwest to meet the Old Glory Trail at the Old Glory Junction.
10.4 Km: (Elev. 2100m/6890ft) Old Glory Junction
[NOTE: From here, one can follow the Old Glory Trail west to the summit of Old Glory Mtn about 3 km distant; first down 50m/160ft and then up 325m/1070ft]
Seven Summits Trail continues southeast down the main ridge jointly with the historic Old Glory Trail. Mostly in open terrain with good views. At the bottom of the ridge, in the saddle at the head of the south fork of Hanna Creek, the trail enters a large, flat clearing: Gibbard’s Junction.
13.7 Km: (Elev. 1805m/5920ft) Large clearing in saddle named Gibbard’s Junction.
[NOTE: an old road leads out of this clearing down to the left (northeast). This is the historic Old Glory Trail some 3.2 km up from the Hanna Creek Trailhead on Hwy 3B (Elev 1390m/4560ft) {Trailhead is same as that for the Plewman Trail}. This is a wide trail at an easy grade other than a section near the top that is narrower, steeper and rougher].
Seven Summits Trail leads straight across clearing southwest across a draw and then up a lengthy, steep side-hill in open trees to a saddle on the ridge.
15.5 Km: (Elev. 1970m/6470ft) Saddle between Mt. Kirkup and Grey Mtn, Open areas.
Continues south with a slight climb up onto the southwest shoulder of Grey Mtn. Then, along this shoulder, down 7 switchbacks and over to the Long Squaw Ski Run in the Red Resorts Ski Area (immediately above the Yodel Inn cabin).
18.1 Km: (Elev. 1870m/6140ft) Long Squaw Ski Run close to the Yodel Inn cabin.
Up the Long Squaw Ski Run for 150m to the entrance of a deep gully on the right side where the Seven Summits Trail continues to the south.
18.3 Km: (Elev. 1900m/6240ft) Entrance to deep gully where the Seven Summits Trail continues to the south, starting with a climb up onto White Wolf Ridge.
[NOTE: this point is about 100m north down the Long Squaw Ski Run from its from its beginning on the Granite Mtn ridge]. Enters the deep gully and climbs up 12 switchbacks to the top of White Wolf Ridge.
19.1 Km: (Elev. 1990m/6530ft) Top of White Wolf Ridge at north end.
South along ridge to large clearing (Helicopter Landing Pad), then angles down on east side before crossing a last steep slope into the Record Notch.
20.3 Km: (Elev 1970m/6460ft) Record Notch.
Up and across base of east face of Record Mtn through forests and large meadows. Then, up into forest with 2 switchbacks onto Record Ridge.
21.4 Km: (Elev 2025m/6650ft) Record Ridge-top North End.
South along Record Ridge-top for approximately 300m High, open ridge with wide views in all directions{especially south}.
21.7 Km: (Elev 2020m/6630ft) Record Ridge-top South.
Down 5 switchbacks on west side of Record Ridge, then a long, descending traverse through open trees and clearings to The Pass.
23.4 Km: (Elev 1890m/6200ft) The Pass.
This is a major cross-over of the ridge with a broad saddle and prominent rocky knob (Spring Knob) to the south. Down off The Pass via 2 switchbacks and into a series of large meadows. In the upper meadow is a Spring.
24.0 Km: (Elev 1850m/6070ft) The Spring.
[NOTE: Spring is just above the trail in a patch of alders. There is an adjacent static pool. Water from the Spring flows slowly through stones. Do not rely upon this Spring for drinking water]
Continue down through bands of trees and meadows (6 or 7 switchbacks). At the bottom of the meadows go left (east) about 170m/570ft across the foot of the step in trees.
24.7 Km (Elev 1750m/5740ft) Definite 90 degree turn to right (south) at base of a prominent rock rib. Trail continues south. First, steeper down before becoming flatter. Generally located toward east side of ridge in forest.
25.5 Km (Elev 1730m/5680ft) Junction with Ivanhoe Ridge rough trail. Go sharp right. Trail generally located toward the east side of the ridge. Trees and open areas. Some of the trail on smooth bedrock. Good views. To low point before ridge rises to prominent rock knob (Rock Knob) to the south.
26.2 Km: (Elev 1710m/5610ft) Low point in ridge north of Rock Knob.
Main trail leads west down off ridge to swing around Rock Knob on its west side. Initially in trees, then opening out lower down. Approximately 1km.
North junction with an alternate route (also approximately 1 km). This, being the old, steeper, rocky trail over top of Rock Knob (good views). This old trail is not too well defined in places. An additional climb of approximately 50m/160ft.
27.2 Km: (Elev 1680m/5510ft) South junction of main trail & the alternate steeper, rougher old trail over top of the Rock Knob.
Continue south. Initially, the trail is somewhat rough down through rocky terrain. Then, a good trail tread with ups and downs to a short steep pitch up onto an open ride-top.
27.9 Km: (Elev. 1650m/5410ft) North end of attractive open ridge-top section.
Approximately 1 km of wonderful, open grassy meadows with widely spaced large trees. Good views. At the south end, a short steep pitch (3
switchbacks) down into the forest to another distinct low point in the ridge. Join an old road.
28.9 Km: (Elev 1550m/5090ft) South end of open ridge-top section at low point.
Junction with an old road. Trail continues south on this road 1.5 km from this point to South Trailhead. Road passes about half-and-half through forest and large clearings. For vehicles, parts of road are rough with tree-branches closing in from the sides. High clearance 4WD vehicle required.
For the middle (approximately) 750m of this road there is an alternate single-track trail on the west side. A 200-meter portion of this alternate trail is on a steep side-hill that is difficult for all but hikers. Two sign-posts on the road mark its beginning and end. They read “Record Ridge Trail”.
[NOTE: The historic Record Ridge Trail is the 1.5 km from the South Trailhead comprised of old road coupled with the middle single-track trail portion; plus another approximately 1.5 km jointly with the Seven Summits Trail to the Rock Step]
Almost at the Rossland Cascade Rd (between it and the large powerline r/w beyond the first band of trees), the old road divides for a very short distance.
30.4 Km: (Elev 1410m/4630ft) South Trailhead.
Rossland Cascade Rd atop 1st Summit at loggers “KM 12” sign.
[NOTE: Trans Canada Trail crosses at this point – directly across the road – being the Dewdney Trail up from Sheep Creek in the west, over the 1st Summit and down to Hwy 22 in Paterson. The section down to Paterson is the popular “Dewdney Drop” biking and hiking trail]
Side Trips: Peaks Accessible from Seven Summits Trail:
(1) Mt. Lepsoe (Berry): (Elev 2180m/7150ft) From Km 6.4
From trail in saddle south of peak at Km 6.4, proceed north up open-treed slope to summit. Route-finding required.
Elevation gain 80m/260ft over distance of approximately 500m.
(2) Mt. Plewman: (Elev 2240m/7350ft) From Km 8.2 to Km 8.8
Open, moderately steep grassy slopes up either the southwest or northwest ridges, or in-between on the west side.
In all cases, elevation gain is about 90m/300ft over distance of approximately 500m.
(3) Old Glory Mtn: (Elev 2370m/7800ft) From Km 10.4 – Old Glory Junction
Follow historic Old Glory Trail west down 50m/160ft to a low point at about 500 metres. Then, up 325m/1070ft over approximately 2.5 km to the summit – south from the low point across base of east face, up around shoulder to right onto broad south slope and up this to top.
Total distance one-way is about 3.0km.
(4) Mt. Kirkup: (Elev 2050m/6730m) From Km 15.4
From Saddle between Kirkup & Grey Mtns at Km 15.4. North and east route-finding along open-treed ridge to summit.
Elevation gain 100m/330ft over a distance of approximately 1.3km.
(5) Grey Mtn: (Elev 2050m/6730ft) From Km 16.4
From approximately Km 16.4 on the trail where it passes high up on the southwest shoulder of Grey Mtn. Find a route up through the open trees and clearings to the summit.
Elevation gain 60m/200ft over a distance of approximately 300m.
(6) Granite Mtn: (Elev2040m/6690ft) From Km 18.3
From the top of the Long Squaw Ski Run (up 0.1 km from Km 18.3 on trail), proceed east along the ridge of Granite Mtn on Red Resorts Ski Area ski/service roads past the top of the Paradise Chairlift. Find own route up rocky slopes to summit with its communications tower and helicopter landing platform.
Elevation gain from trail 130m/440ft over distance of approximately 1 km.
(7) Record Mtn: (Elev2113m/6935ft) Above Km 20.5
Easier, but longer:
From Km 21.4 on trail at the Record Ridge-top North End, proceed north by route-finding over easy grades atop ridge in mostly open terrain giving way to completely open slopes to summit. Elevation gain 90m/290ft over a distance of approximately 1 km.
Shorter, but steeper:
From Record Ridge Notch at Km 20.3 on trail, proceed south on trail about 100m. Find a place of your choosing to begin to route-find directly up the east ridge of Record Mtn. Initial forest gives way to open areas, especially to the hiker’s left.
Elevation gain 140m/450ft over a direct distance of approximately 500m (probably longer due to some zigging and zagging).
Side Trips: Good Viewpoints from Seven Summits Trail:
(A) Unnecessary Mtn. (Elev 2170m/7120ft) Above Km 10
From the north side at Km 9.9, or the south side at Km 10.3 on the trail, proceed up open grassy slopes to the summit. Elevation gain about 50m/160ft in either case over a distance of approximately 200m.
(B) Mt. Roberts (Elev 2000m/6560ft) Southeast from Km 20
Southeast from about Km 20.0 on the trail. Route-find through thick forest. Descend toward Mt. Roberts, or stay left . Go down some 150m/500ft elevation drop over a distance of approximately 1 km to gain an obvious rough road in a wide, cleared swath through trees coming up from the Silver Sheep Ski Run. This rough road runs through a broad saddle and part-way up toward the peak of Mt. Roberts. From the saddle, easy route-finding to summit off the end of this rough road. Elevation gain from the saddle, 150m/500ft over a distance of approximately 750 metres.
(C) Record Ridge South Step: (Elev 2020m/6630ft) Above Km 23
This drop-off on Record Ridge appears to be a peak when viewed from the south. Easiest is along Record Ridge from the trail at Km 21.7 at Record Ridge-top South End. As you progress, the ridge narrows and becomes more rugged. Great viewpoint throughout – especially at the south end. Relatively level from Km 21.7 over a distance of approximately 500 metres.
[Note: this part of Record Ridge is visible from Rossland between Mt. Roberts and OK Mtn.]
This point is 9.2 km (Elev gain 610m/2000ft) from the South Trailhead.
(D) Spring Knob: (Elev 1940m/6370ft) Above The Spring at Km 24
Prominent rock knob on the ridge above The Spring.
From The Pass at Km 23.4, route-find about 300m southwest with an elevation gain of approximately 40m/130ft.
This point is 7.5 km (Elev gain 530m/1750ft) from the South Trailhead.
(E) Rock Knob: (Elev 1760m/5780ft) Between Km 26.2 & Km 27.2
Use alternate steeper, rougher old trail between Km 26.2 and Km 27.2. It passes directly over this Rock Knob. The “Rossland Viewpoint”.
This point is 3.7 km (Elev gain 350m/1150ft) from the South Trailhead.
Accesses To Seven Summits Trail - Other Than North & South End Trailheads:
Through Red Resorts Ski Area:
To Km 18.3 on Seven Summits Trail - near the top of the Long Squaw Ski Run.
This may be reached by hiking, biking or horse-back riding up through the Red Resorts Ski Area by various routes. These routes include the South Side Road, the Granite Main Run or the trail up Squaw Basin - all from the base of the ski area.
Distances vary somewhat with the different routes up the mountain, but all are approximately 7km in length with a vertical rise from the base of about 880m/2850ft.
[NOTE: Public access by vehicle is not permitted through the Red Resorts Ski Area.
Public access on foot is permitted by the routes noted above; but, subject to Red Resorts Ski Area management directives from time to time]
Old Glory Trail:
To Km 13.7 on Seven Summits Trail. See Trail Directions above.
Plewman Trail:
To Km 10.3 on the Seven Summits Trail. See Trail Directions above.
KIOSKS:
a) 1st Summit on Rossland Cascade Rd
b) Nancy Greene Summit on Hwy 3B
c) Hanna Creek Trailhead
d) Red Resorts Ski Area – base area