A walk through Marble Canyon

Kootenay's Marble Canyon was devastated by a fire, that burned for 40 days after a lightning strike in July2003. Smoke from these fires were responsible for the smoky skies we experienced on our last trip in Aug/sept 2003 and we were unable to visit this area. It also prevented us from doing much in Banff as the smoke rolled in and we decided to move away from the area, so it was nice to be able to come back and explore a little more this time
None of the Seven bridges that cross the Tokumm Creek were destroyed by the fire, but more than 17,000 hectares of forest burnt. and the Canyon was closed for safety reasons. new posts to support the guard rails had to be dug and at times the canyon is over 60 metres deep.
On August30th 2007 the canyon was reopened to the public, just two days before we arrived!
Already wild flowers and squirrels have returned.
A 1.6 Km Interpretive trail leads up to the thundering waters of the creek.

The burn't trees added a beauty of their own

The force of the water was so powerful

Golden Mantled ground Squirrels have returned.

The canyon is really spectacular.

A number of little bridges cross the gorge as you climb higher.

Below the rushing water thunders by

Tokumm creek


Fire weed and grass have already regrown and slowly the forest is regenerating.

Kimberley to the Entrance of Kootenay National Park

We left Fort Steele after breakfast and had a small detour to see Kimberley, a small town that models itself on an Austrian resort.
Just outside of Kimberley we saw a Black bear in the fields, but alas we could not stop to get photos

We are now driving North West towards Banff and The National Parks, this is Canal Flats, the scenery is more spectacular as we near the parks.

We are entering the Parks at Kootenay National park. Below you see the Entrance through a narrow Gorge. There is a small charge for driving and camping in the Parks. WE will be spending the next Five days in the parks before heading back to Vancouver.