Description

Beginning in shady forest, the trail soon crosses a bridge over the Vermillion River, with excellent mountain views removed from the highway.

On the other side of the river, forest gives way to meadows where the paint pots seep from the ground.

These reddish pools are natural mineral springs, rich with iron oxide, which the native people used for dyes. The trail is always muddy, but planks help to cross the soggiest sections.

Be sure to continue across the first, broad meadow to find the smaller clearings farther on, where the largest paint pot is found.

This is the turnaround point for walkers interested in a short outing, but the path can be continued to link with Helmet Falls Trail. Sources: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/activ/randonnee-hike/courte-short https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kootenay_National_Park#Paint_Pots