Saddle Mountain Lookout, Kootenay Rockies
What a view!
Located just South-West of Nakusp, Saddle Mountain Lookout is a old Forest Fire lookout post that is now used as a hiking destination.
The hike is a steady incline the whole way so plan on getting a workout. The trail is mostly dirt with the exception of the top section which is a very narrow trail on unstable shale.
Be prepared for an all day hike. There was people there that took around 3 1/2 hours just to get up to the top. If you are cardio-fit you can do the round trip with a 45 minute rest up top in 4 1/2 hours.
download a printable trail map here. Look for the link to "Saddle Mountain Lookout Trail"
photo: Amy Wight
In this photo you can see Nakusp in the far background down by the lake.