THE KOOTENAYS - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 413

About 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) east of Salmo, at 1,133-hectare (2,800-acre) Stagleap
Provincial Park, travelers can pause to picnic by Bridal Lake or go for a short hike.
Continuing east, you'll crest 1,774-meter (5,820-foot) Kootenay Pass, where a beautiful
alpine lake makes a pleasant stop. The parking lots at either end of the lake are linked by
a short trail showcasing the stunted trees of this high alpine environment. From the pass,
Highway 3 descends to Creston.
CASTLEGAR
Though endowed with the rich history of the Doukhobors, Castlegar (pop. 7,300) is not
a particularly attractive place. Spread out along the barren Columbia River Valley, it's a
real crossroads town. Here the Kootenay River drains into the much larger Columbia River,
Highway 3 passes through east to west, Highway 3A leads north to Nelson, and Highway 22
leads south to Rossland and Trail. The town is also the major air gateway for the Kootenays.
The area's first European residents, the Doukhobors arrived in 1908. These pacifist Rus-
sian immigrants planted orchards, built sawmills, and even operated a jam factory while