Home»All Photographs»2013 Hikes»Giant Steps 07-06-13

A few days of camping at Kicking Horse Campground near Field, B.C. were started off with this hike into Paradise Valley.
I followed an old, decomissioned trail along the north side of Paradise Creek in order to scope the route up Sheol Mountain (a future interest of mine). Bridges had been removed though, and I was forced to either backtrack or ford the stream. So off came the boots....It was only knee deep but disorienting watching the fast water rush past my legs. One deeper bit went mid-thigh and the power of the stream overtook me. I lunged for the far bank which was close at this point, but didn't escape without being soaked up to my belly. The fine weather had my clothes dried within a copule of hours.
The Giant Steps are indeed impressive as the creek flows over huge quartzite blocks. I had a nice snack break here, and was surprised to have the locale all to myself in this popular destination.
I looped back through Horseshoe Meadow on the official trail, not eager to repeat that ford. Thunder and lightning moved in and even some hail greeted me as I passed by Lake Annette. The sun re-emerged on my final return, helping me dry out once again.