Nature Untouched

I was so blessed this past week to go hiking in Strathcona Park with a friend. We were both excited about hiking in an area new to us and planned to spend the day exploring. We headed out from Paradise Meadows around 9:30 on route to Cruishank Canyon via the Kwai Lake Loop. It would be approximately 20 kms, a good long hike for the two of us. For some reason though I had the idea that the terrain would be pretty level and we wouldn’t really be hiking too much uphill, after all we had already driven up the mountain.

A little stream making a pathway through the meadow

It was a great day and it took us longer than most but we were forever stopping to take photos.  We were in awe of the beauty that surrounded us with each step we took. There were many small lakes along the way.

Looking back towards Mount Washington ski hill

The colours were beautiful and enriched by the dew and the low laying fog that surrounded us. 

 

We couldn’t stop pointing out different views to each other and just soaking in all that we were seeing. The pathway was in good shape and took us up many hills and around many small lakes or ponds.

Hiking "up" one of the many rocky trails

There were meadow areas that had boardwalks built across them for easy travelling. Although the morning was cloudy with fog we were hopeful that when we reached the canyon it would be above us and we would be able to look down into the canyon.



One of the many boardwalks

Once past Lady Lake and Croteau Lake the trail was narrower and the boardwalk parts pretty much disappeared. The closer we hiked to the canyon the more beautiful the scenery became. It was like looking out at nature untouched.

The many lakes were breathtaking even with the low cloud

Other than the pathway there were no signs that anyone had ever been out this way.

And another small lake

Everything was so clear and pristine, it was absolutely breathtaking.  



Nature untouched

There were ponds in among the rocks, streams flowing down into the tiny lakes and beautiful colored bushes and plants along the way. I also saw so many different types of mushrooms, in every size and colour imaginable. It was just so amazing.

Natural  beauty - Lake Beautiful



The many small cairns marking the way to the canyon

Passing many built cairns along the canyon route, adding a rock to the largest of these, we finally arrived at the canyon itself.



Adding my stone

It was amazing. We were thankful that we had hiked the extra 3 kms to see the canyon and thankful that the fog was up above us as we looked way down the canyon. We could see the lake down below looking very small from up where we were. Sadly because of the cloud we could not seeMount Albert Edwards, a summit I would love to reach one day but the beauty of the canyon far below us was gift enough for us.

Looking down Cruishank Canyon



The dark looking valley below

We only spent a short time there, long enough for our lunch break before heading back.
Going back we were pretty quiet along the trail just absorbing everything around us. When we reached the trail junction we headed down the other side of Kwai Lake in order to make the loop. Until passing  Lake Helen McKenzie the scenery was still beautiful but the trail was very muddy and filled with tree roots. There weren’t as many uphill sections but some pretty steep downward parts following a rocky creek bed.  



The muddy return trip

It took us much longer than expected to get past the lake and closer to the meadows. Although we passed a few people it was very quiet in amongst the trees and as we hiked I got to wondering if this is how our creator had planned our planet to remain, untouched and beautiful.




Quietness in the forest

I thought of my own valley down south on the island and tried to imagine what it looked like before it became so developed. I imagine at one time it looked as beautiful as this untouched mountainous area up north. I hope this park area can always remain untouched so that many future generations can hike out and soak in the gifts that nature gives to us.  The small animals that nibble on cones,  the birds who hope to share your snack,  the black bears that roam the mountains and are regularly seen by hikers,  the wondrous colourful plants and deep green trees , all this I pray my grandchildren someday will have a chance to see with their own eyes.

Reflections

I was so thankful to have this day out in this forested park where one could hike and be alone in land untouched. It was a gift that I am thankful for and hope to share again someday with others. The Strathcona Park and Cruishank Canyon certainly deserve another visit.