Wigwam River ...

Looking across the foothills to the Rockies

Our weekend adventure into southern BC to visit C's cousin and her family was filled with several 'Canadian firsts' for me, so I figured that was worth spreading over several blog entries.  We arrived late on Friday night after a spectacular four hour drive down the Cowboy Highway, through Crowsnest Pass and then up the BC side of the Rockies.  C's cousin and her family live on a property literally at the bottom of the Rockies.  There was still snow in some crevices in the mountain and the area is prime bear country (more on that tomorrow).  It's always an adventure visiting them (this was my second visit) because they are true mountain people ... normal hiking trails are not for them - "Who needs signed paths?!"  So, we knew that we would be having a true adventure this weekend.

Through Crowsnest Pass at sunset

The Wigwam River ... that's where we were headed

On Saturday morning, we packed a feast, gathered the dogs and headed off on a hike along the Wigwam River (cool name, hey?!).  We started off high up on the cliffs, looking down towards the river.  For nearly two hours, we walked up and down the rolling hills, gazing out towards the forests and river (oh, and the saw mill).  At one point, we walked through an old farm where we could make out the foundations of the old home and various household items left behind, including the old stove and several bed posts.  The farm's orchard still had apples growing on the trees although it was too early to eat them ... they were super bitter!

Old stove from the old farm house

A hot dog

Eventually we reached the end of the cliff and had to scramble down a not-so-steep part to get to the river bank where we set up camp for the afternoon.  We spent a good three or four hours here, watching the rafters go down the small rapids, letting the dogs have a swim, exploring the river bank (our picnic spot was right at the point where the Lodgepole River runs into the Wigwam River) and eating our picnic.  There were two foreigners in the group and we both, willingly, were initiated as Canadians with a dip in the glacier fed Wigwam River.  Brrrrrr!  It was extremely cold and it was impossible to stay in the water for more than minute or so at a time.  But, it was very refreshing after the short, but hot hike.

The beautiful Wigwam River

 

Rafters head down the mini rapids on the Wigwam

In the late afternoon, we packed up and headed back to the car, stopping along the way for the kids (14 year old D and 19 year old A) to spend some time on the rope swing into the river.  Saturday's adventure was wonderful and there were even more adventures to come in the evening and the next day, each worthy of their own blog post.

Hoodoos on the cliffs next to the Wigwam River

"Got you!" ... these nasty horse flies were everywhere next to the river

Inukshuk on the river bank

Hot dog cools off

Evidence of my swim in the glacial waters of the Wigwam ...

The rope jump (to the left of the photo)

The view from the top of the rope jump

Splash!  Into the river