Canada Day, Eh ?

Trip Start May 29, 2009
1
30
114
Trip End Oct 03, 2009


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow
Where I stayed
Redstreak Campground, Kootenay National Park
(Radium Hot Springs hotels)

Flag of Canada  , British Columbia,
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

It is Canada Day today. We passed up all the parades, local celebrations and fireworks.  We set out to see the sights and do some hiking in the southern half of Kootenay National Park.  By the way, we had heard the name of this park pronounced three different ways, so we asked at the visitor center.  It is pronounced as an e on the end, Koot-n-ee. 

Our first stop was Sinclair Canyon, just inside the southern entrance of the park.  In order to build Highway 93 through this narrow canyon, they routed a small stream through a tunnel underneath the highway.  Just south of here that stream runs into the mighty Columbia River (yes, the Columbia River).  The Columbia is flowing Northwest through Radium Hot Springs.  We traveled on to Kootenay Valley Viewpoint at Sinclair Pass for a scenic overlook of the valley.  On the way there we spotted a lone female Bighorn Sheep.

We parked at McLeod Meadow Picnic Area for a hike to Dog Lake Sinclair Canyon
Sinclair Canyon
 .  The hiking guide described this trail as 5.2 km (3 ¼ mi) round trip, with a minimal elevation change.  Well, it seemed like most of the trail was an uphill climb, with a short downhill section to the lake.  By the time we returned to the picnic area we were definitely ready for lunch.  The wildflowers were out in force including Wild Roses and Orange Wood Lilies.

On the way back we finally spotted a moose near the road.  He was quite skittish.  As soon as we pulled over for a picture, he trotted off into the woods.  Then we stopped for a dip in the Radium Hot Springs Pool.  The warm pool is 103° F and the cold pool is 84°F.  We sat in the warm pool for almost an hour – a well deserved treat after the strenuous hike.   To cap off the day there were half a dozen Bighorn Sheep along the road at the last curve back into our campground.
Slideshow Print this entry