Do it > Driving to and from Cranbrook, B.C., on the Crowsnest Highway 3, I’ve often turned off to take the scenic route along Wardner-Fort Steele Road. This secondary highway affords magnificient views of the Steeples Mountains, which are part of the Rockies. I've always enjoyed this drive in my truck, but recently, my husband and I took this route from Cranbrook with our 1985 Honda V65 Magna and I discovered that it is way better on a bike. 

The road winds through forested Crown land and past several cattle farms. There is much to look at and plenty of places to stop along the way. Partway into our ride, we pulled off at Peckam's Lake in Norbury Lake Provincial Park and went for a walk on the beach. Another one of my favourite places to stop on this route is the Kootenay Trout Hatchery, which is about 10 minutes down the road from Peckam's Lake. There is an interpretive centre at the hatchery and it has aquariums, educational models and displays. The hatchery also has a live trout pond with several trophy-sized specimens.

Farther along, the Wardner-Fort Steele Road takes travellers across the Bull River and it offers splendid views of the Kootenay River. Whether you live in Cranbrook and want to go on a nice evening ride or you are passing through on the Crowsnest Highway 3, I highly recommend checking out the Wardner-Fort Steele Road.