Our next stop on our road trip through Western Canada was at Wapta Falls, in Yoho National Park. A long gravel road took us from the highway to a parking place, and we continued on foot. The bear proof garbage bins were a warning sign that we where in serious wild country. A long trail led us into the woods. The large pine trees drowned out most of the noise, so we walked in silence towards our goal. When we approached a small wooden bridge, we noticed a squirrel on the ground, nibbling on some pine cones. The little grey rodent seemed completely undisturbed by our presence, so we took some time to take some pictures of it eating away, until we came a little bit to close, and the squirrel hopped elegantly away into the safety of the woods.
Continuing on our trail, we could hear the raging waters of the Kicking Horse River. From an opening in the canopy we could see the white water seeking it’s way between the rocks. The falls couldn’t be far now. A descending path took us to the icy cold river. From the banks we had impressive views on the cascade and the surrounding forest. The falls are huge : about 30 meters high and 150 m wide. We scurried over rocks and boulders, closer to the bottom of the fall, sheltered by a large rock formation. To get a better view of the falls, we scrambled onto the rocks, and climbed to the highest point. Immediately the scene changed. Now we could see, hear and feel the falls at it’s best. It was impressive. The noise was deafening. We couldn’t hear each other speak. Water sprayed over us, so we had to put on our raincoats. Wafts of mist surrounded us, as we stood in awe of this force of nature. After taking some pictures, we found our way back to the river and the path that led us here, back to the parking lot.
Halfway on the track, I heard something rustling in the undergrowth. I saw nothing, but the noise made me curious. I crouched down and stepped carefully and as quiet as I could in the direction of the noise. Again I heard it. And then I saw something moving on the forest floor. Something black, the size of a chicken. A chicken!? I was slightly disappointed. But then I realized that it was highly unlike for a chicken to be in a forest. So I crept a bit closer. Suddenly I saw a black pheasant-like bird walking on the forest floor. Like a true wildlife photographer I
hid behind some bushes, took out my zoom lens and took as many pictures as I could from this bird. (Later I found out it was a Spruce Grouse).
After this interessing and impressive interlude, we continued our way, to the last stop on our road trip : Field.
Google Maps : click here
More information on The Wapta Falls, click here
or here
More information on Yoho National Park, click here
More information on the Spruce Grouse, click here
Weblog van Jan Morsch 
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