Kootenay National Park BC Canada

Kootenay river bisects the rockies, meandering by such metropolis' as Fairmont Hot Springs, Canal Flats, Skookumchuck, and Fort Steel.

Lunch along the Kootenay River following a false start at the Ink Pots trail.

Most of the river banks border pristeen wilderness sheltered by the Rockies. A kayaker was mauled as he sleeped on the bank a few days after these photos were taken. In this territory, one is advised to be cautious.

The river runs through a national park that bears its name. The park, immediately adjacent to Banff, does not get the same international attention as its older brother, but it certainly deserves it. Many of its hiking trails cross the Rockies to end in Banff. Its waters, while attractive in the heat of day, quickly dispell thought of a cool dip with first contact as they are glacier fed.

As we discovered, the fires of the past couple of years have had an impact on the park, charring many of the back country trails. Prohibitions were common, banning hikers on penalty of $20k CDN. Enough threat to cause the most intreped traveller to pause. The fires have undermined the stability of the trees, even burning root systems, causing them to fall with as little force as that applied by the constant gusts of wind. We did, however, find a number of trails open after a few false starts.

We followed the trail to Marble Canyon, approximately 4km away.

The Kootenay River working through Marble Canyon.

Ink pots. Ochre cutting a swath through green landscape.

Marble Canyon. A narrow crack in the mountains with rushing water at its base, perhaps 15m below.

Look carefully and you will see a chipmunk on the ledge.

We stopped to hike at Grassi Lakes, located just west of Canmore. Taking the "more difficult trail" , we came across this waterfall which originated from the alpine lakes above.