THE KOOTENAYS - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 439

area include fishing, wildlife viewing, and exploring the wilderness of Elk Lakes. There's
a small municipal campground ($20) within walking distance of downtown. On the north
side of town, Elkford Visitor Centre (750 Fording Dr., 250/865-4015 or 877/355-9453,
www.elkford.ca , 9am-5pm daily mid-May-Aug., 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri. Sept.-mid-May) is in
the community center, well worth visiting in itself for its impressive architecture.
Elk Lakes Provincial Park encompasses more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of
rugged wilderness 67 kilometers (42 miles) north of Elkford. From the end of the road, it's
an easy one-kilometer (0.6-mile) walk to Lower Elk Lake and then another kilometer bey-
ond the end of the lake to Upper Elk Lake. At the lower lake, a narrow trail climbs to a
lookout. Aside from the long drive in, the ratio of effort to reward in reaching these lakes is
unmatched in the Kootenays.
NORTH FROM CRANBROOK
At the north end of Cranbrook, the highway north divides, with the western option passing
through Kimberley and a more direct route following the Kootenay River through an area
that was flooded with miners after gold was discovered on Wild Horse Creek in 1865.
MM Fort Steele Heritage Town
At Fort Steele Heritage Town (9851 Hwy. 93/95, 250/417-6000, 9:30am-5pm daily May-
mid-June, 9:30am-6pm daily mid-June-Aug., 9:30am-5pm daily Sept.-mid-Oct., adult $12,
senior $10, child $5), 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of Cranbrook, you'll see over 60 re-
stored and reconstructed buildings, including log barracks, hotels, a courthouse, a jail, a
dentist's office, a ferry office, a printing office, and a general store all crammed to the
rafters with intriguing historical artifacts. Park staff bring Fort Steele back to life with ap-
propriately costumed working blacksmiths, carpenters, quilters, weavers, bakers, ice-cream
makers, and many others. Hop on a steam train (adult $10, child $5), heckle a street politi-
cian, witness a crime and testify at a trial, pan for gold, watch a silent movie, and view op-
eratic performances in the Opera House. One of the highlights is Fort Steele Follies, a pro-
fessional 1880s-style live-theater company performing a musical comedy at the Wild Horse
Theatre. Showtimes are at 2pm daily during the summer only (adult $15, senior $10, child
$5).