Elk Falls Adventure

I spent three nights up by Campbell River, at Elk Falls Provincial Park. For a campground literally five minutes from a Walmart, Canadian Tire, and other outposts of civilization, it was actually very quiet and peaceful. The hiking trail from the campground to Elk Falls was partially closed, so the only way to get to the Falls was drive to the Day Use area, park and get to the other end of the trail.

As I started the hike, I could hear the faint sound of water, which grew louder with each turn of the switchbacks heading downward. Then, a clearing and an amazing view of the river and a bit of the falls.

After a short hike through the woods, there are stairs. Lots of stairs. The sound of the water grew louder with each step.

Then there’s a bridge. Yes, it swings a bit, especially if anyone else is walking on it when you are. (Paris, this so reminded me of Liam and that favorite bridge of his at Dennis the Menace Park!)

The bridge is worth the height and the shaking though, because the view of Elk Falls is fantastic!

Here’s another look, from the scenic viewpoint right across from the falls. You can avoid the bridge if you go here, but you don’t get quite the full picture of the canyon and falls.

So there you go, a little waterfall to make your day!

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When I was walking in the mountains with the Japanese man and began to hear the water, he said, ‘What is the sound of the waterfall?’ ‘Silence,’ he finally told me.

Jack Gilbert, Collected Poems