Mount Ida

Canada / British Columbia / Salmon Arm /
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This mountain is the prominent peak above Salmon Arm. A short hiking trail leads to a viewpoint on the east end of the summit ridge, but you cannot access the true summit (which is at the west end of the ridge) from here because of steep cliffs.

Mt Ida is composed of numerous layers of basalt, however it is not a volcano. There are many cavities in the basalt, some filled with zeolites of various colours, and the base of the cliffs are a popular rockhounding site. I have also found plant fossils there.
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Coordinates:   50°35'3"N   119°17'29"W

Comments

  • There is a warm-spring on mount Ida. Near N50 39.208 W119 13.061. I do believe Ida was a volcano. There are a number of small ponds at Mt. Ida that have relatively warm water temp. 20c This cache is situated at one such pond. (Read info at http://www.mallarky.com/past_columns.asp?columnid=353)
  • Mount Ida has erupted before. That's why the front half is gone
  • Be careful if you plan to spend time at the base of the cliff, it is not uncommon for people to throw things over the cliff such as dead fallen trees, rocks, and what ever they can get their hands on!! I do recommend climbing your way to the west view point it's a beautiful sight, I also like the fact that you don't see the view until your last few steps as the trail winds its way up from the back side, the actual summit is the treed peek east of the cliffs, I know this because I found the high point pin back in the late 80s....it actually said on it five years inprissonment for removal of this marker. P.J
  • mt ida is definitely a volcano the crater is easily seen driving into Salmon arm from kamloops it is classed as an ex-stint volcano i could be wrong on when it last erupted at 25,000 years ago but if you want to the ash and pumas it went across the lake to tappen dig down 6 feet and you find nothing but ash and pumas
This article was last modified 17 years ago