Great snowshoeing today with all the recent snow. We left Nancy Greene Summit trailhead heading to the Mosquito Cabin within the Rossland Range trail system. On the way we found the Cookie Jar cabin originally constructed during the early 60’s and decommissioned in 2015. The cabin is still in relatively good shape but as you can see by the photos below well covered with snow. The cabin has been designated for preservation as an historic landmark. We followed a steep trail which ascended apx. 600 feet in the first three quarters of mile making for a strenuous hike with the starting elevation of 5200 feet and the deep powder. We did not reach the cabin as the last half mile to the cabin was exposed ridgeline with high winds.
After completing our hike we went into town for lunch. After lunch we visited Kootenay Gateway which features local artists. There we met Rachel who works locally as a guide. She is originally from New Zealand and has skied all over the world. She met her current partner when skiing at Red Mountain eight years ago and they conducted a long distance relationship for two years as Rachel spent half the year in New Zealand and the remainder here in Rossland. They now live here in Rossland and have a four year old daughter. Rachel says the best snow in the world for skiing is in Japan (we have not booked the trip yet!).
More importantly, Rachel tipped us off to the Mountain Nugget for locally made chocolate and the best hot chocolate! We followed that tip by eating at Mook Thai Restaurant which was recommended to us by the owner of a local shoe store – The Red Pair (two red headed sons!). Excellent Thai and Chang Beer to boot (no pun intended).
Notes: The selfie of the two of us has pine needles in the photo because we perched the camera on a pine tree branch. The bottom photo is Coumbia Street, the main street in Rossland with several of the ski mountains in the backdrop. There is one traffic light in Rossland although it is a blinking light (not sure if that counts).
ON THE ROAD with Maria + Stephen 