May 22 2018, Road Trip out West

Kootenay Lake and Crystal Beach and a hike up to the Pilot Bay lighthouse.

Crystal Beach, Kootenay Lake.
Remnants of Victorian Smelting changes the colour of the landscape

 

 

“Pilot Bay: The decision to build a smelter at Pilot Bay to smelt the rich ores of Riondel (Blue Bell) was made in 1891 and was almost instantly surrounded by the Pilot Bay townsite. The smelter operated for less than 2 years and was then closed due to low silver prices and high fuel costs. There’s a short hike to the site of both the Pilot Bay community and Smelter. Remnants of smelting apparatus can be seen scattered about.” from https://www.kootenayrockies.com/partner/ghost-towns/

 

The hike up to the Pilot Bay lighthouse. Kootenay Lake

 

Pilot Bay lighthouse

 

Postcard Photo of Kootenay Lake from the top of the lighthouse