Kinuseo Falls – British Columbia

Murray River Valley

We have been told by a few people that taking a trip to view Kinuseo Falls in Monkman Provincial Park is a must.  Yesterday we travelled to Tumbler Ridge, then south on 40 kms of loose gravel roads to the falls.  It was definitely worth the trip. I was surprised by the number of people who took the risk to drive out there.  We learned today that the local tire shop supplies three new tires a day due to people getting flats on that road.  Almost at the falls we passed a Volkswagon on the side of the road, a path of dark oil drenched gravel leading us right to them.  We stopped to offer assistance, but they assured us someone was on the way.  We gave thanks that we made it in and out no worse for wear.

Headwaters

Amazing rock formations on opposite side of Murray River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing that impressed me the most was the crazy rock formations on the opposite side of the river.  The layers of sediment from eons ago were bent like ribbon candy, in some places the angle was greater than 90 degrees!  It is difficult to imagine the forces and pressure that managed to bend rock into pretzels.  Quite incredible.

Kinuseo Falls is slightly higher than Niagara Falls, 197 feet, although not nearly as wide, but just as LOUD.

The falls were beautiful.  They can only be viewed from above, there is no access into the canyon.  We did take a trail that followed along the edge of the cliffs and up to another viewing point that did give a better perspective of the height.  It was a bit of a climb, but more than worth it.

It was a lovely day, slightly overcast.  Unfortunately I did not have my polarizing lens on so the sky in the shots is washed out.

A hint of rainbow

The gray trees devoid of needles are pine trees that have fallen victim to the mountain pine beetle which have decimated the forests in British Columbia.  The devastation of the forests is heartbreaking.  All the dead standing timber is subject to huge wild fires, the evidence of one was passed through on our way into Tumbler Ridge.

On the descent from the upper viewing point I turned my attention to the wooded slope in search of other possible interesting shots.  I am so thrilled that I had!  There, gracing the pine slopes were Calypso Orchids.  It reminded me of the excursions my father took us on about this time of year to look for them in Northwestern Ontario.  Tiny, they are gorgeous gems set in isolation along the forest floor.  I saw at least a half-dozen bright blossoms blushing pink and yellow.  What a blessing!

Calypso Orchid