These two high elevation alpine lakes are located on Mt. Symonds which forms part of the Gold Range of the Monashee Mountains. Mt Symonds is located 60 kilometers southeast of Revelstoke rising to a height of 2,347 meters (7,700 ft) and does not form a peak but is rather flat on top. Monashee Provincial Park is situated 4 km to the west. Mount Fosthall is the dominant peak here rising 2,679 meters (8,791 ft).
Access to Mt. Symonds is via an active logging road and old mining trail. The trail leads to Paint Lake and can be reached in approximately one hour by hiking the trial
Mt. Symonds was known as Bald Mountain and has an extensive mining history. Mineral exploration occured on "Big Ledge" and soon the name Big Ledge property was born. The Big Ledge property dates back to 1902 when sixteen mineral claims were located and six surveyed at the time. A wagon road six miles long was constructed in 1905 and ran from Arrow Lake towards the mine.
The following is a brief chronological history of the area:
Since 1966 there is no record of exploration work on the Big Ledge Propery, the property is still held by Cominco.
Single-click on map to expand.
Page last modified: Thursday, July 05, 2001
