Seven Summits Trail, Kootenay, B.C.

During any run there can exist a brief moment between footsteps when we let go of everything trivial and truly connect to our activity. To the trail and mountain runner this rare connection is stronger and more frequent in the fresh air and with no sense of time. It’s as if we find ourselves by breathing while our feet conduct this drumming dance of thanks straight to the earth on dirt, rocks, grass and sand. The committed trail runner has chosen this form of running knowing that rare majestic trails seem to radiate this opportunity for connection and recharge in every step. British Columbia has so many unique and fantastic trails, but the Seven Summits Trail that connects the Nancy Green and Cascade Summits in the Kootenay Mountains along the Rossland Range is a weaving and cresting joy. It deserves to be recognized throughout Canada as one of the best.

The Seven Summits Trail brings peaks very close to the mountain summits of Lepsoe, Plewman, Old Glory, Kirkup, Grey, Granite and Record. With four of the mountain summits less than 500m away from the trail, two a kilometre away and one a 3K jaunt away from the trail; few other Canadian trails compare for getting into real trail and mountain running. It keeps you between 5,170 and 7,230 feet in elevation.

I ran this trail at the 2008 Seven Summits Trail Race, and after ascending for 7.5K, I reached the first summit of the trail and couldn’t help but shout, “This is incredible” to one of the race photographers after looking around. During the descent after the first summit of the trail, I had to stay focused on my footwork because of some lose rocks. I noticed a little bear scat on the trail, which quickly reminded me that to keep my awareness and connection to the environment.

The panoramic views of the other mountain tops are so majestic they can’t be explained. Perhaps it’s a part of the journey being more important than the destination, but the trail’s change in path terrain (packed dirt, complete rock, loose boulders, sand), incline (gradual longer slopes with plenty of zigzagging and quick descents) and summits (you’re so motivated knowing that you’re heading over to that next view point) sets it apart from the average trail. As the first part of the Seven Summits Trail climbs and takes you through different alpine environments with distinct growth patterns and trees, you are transported into returning where our running truly comes from and it is my hope that you are able to experience this trail for at least only one moment.

Location: Seven Summits Trail – The North Trail Head is located 21.2K north of Rossland, B.C. on highway 3B. It has a parking lot and the trail works its way along mountain ridge lines for 30.4K. A shorter version of 18.3K hits the slopes of the Red Mountain Ski Resort (on the outskirts of Rossland). It’s about 26K to take the service roads down.

Race: http://www.sevensummitsrace.com/

Trail: http://www.rosslandtrails.ca/cms/SEVEN-SUMMITS-TRAIL.7.0.html