Marble Canyon was a serendipitous place to stop on the Kootenay Highway. When we stopped at the Kootenay National Park Visitor Center, one of the brochures had info about points of interest along the Kootenay Highway. Because of poor signage, road construction or our inattention, we missed all of the points of interest except Marble Canyon. Here is how it is described on the park's website:
Turquoise, glacial waters and startling canyon walls grow ever more impressive along this short trail. Multiple bridges span the narrow gorge, crossing several times for spine-tingling views of the river below. Watch for fuchsia fireweed and mountain bluebirds in a landscape shaped by fire, erosion, and mountain-building.
Here is a description from another person's blog:
This short, easy, path is best done at a quiet time. Several improvements on the short system of trails and bridges offer spectacular views down into a beautiful slot canyon surrounded by spectacular wilderness features and mountains. Low link fences discourage people from approaching the dangerous, slippery edges of the canyon. In the past there have been many unfortunate incidents, some fatal. The depth of the marble walled, slot canyon increases as figure-eight trails with bridges cross back and forth from one side to the other along the length of the short but dramatic canyon.
We parked and checked out the info kiosk, where we learned that Tokumm Creek created this amazing slot canyon.
There was a large wildfire here in 2003 - there is ample evidence of the fire, including blackened, limbless tree trunks.
The half mile trail begins where another stream joins the Tokumm Creek to make a creek that is about 30 feet wide of rushing water.
The trail heads upstream and uphill, and as noted above, there is a lot of evidence of the 2003 fire but also of amazing scenery.
The trail has eight bridges that cross the slot canyon as it gets narrower and deeper. Near the top, the canyon is only five or six feet wide but 40 - 50 feet deep.
At the last bridge, there is a waterfall that starts cutting into the rock to create the slot canyon. Here is a short video of the falls.
On our way back down, Patty helped move this fallen tree, not.
I have never been on such an amazing trail with so many bridges and felt so comfortable - railings were solid and appropriately tall, the bridges were well built and sited, all making the trek very nice.
Turquoise, glacial waters and startling canyon walls grow ever more impressive along this short trail. Multiple bridges span the narrow gorge, crossing several times for spine-tingling views of the river below. Watch for fuchsia fireweed and mountain bluebirds in a landscape shaped by fire, erosion, and mountain-building.
Here is a description from another person's blog:
This short, easy, path is best done at a quiet time. Several improvements on the short system of trails and bridges offer spectacular views down into a beautiful slot canyon surrounded by spectacular wilderness features and mountains. Low link fences discourage people from approaching the dangerous, slippery edges of the canyon. In the past there have been many unfortunate incidents, some fatal. The depth of the marble walled, slot canyon increases as figure-eight trails with bridges cross back and forth from one side to the other along the length of the short but dramatic canyon.
We parked and checked out the info kiosk, where we learned that Tokumm Creek created this amazing slot canyon.
There was a large wildfire here in 2003 - there is ample evidence of the fire, including blackened, limbless tree trunks.
The half mile trail begins where another stream joins the Tokumm Creek to make a creek that is about 30 feet wide of rushing water.
The trail heads upstream and uphill, and as noted above, there is a lot of evidence of the 2003 fire but also of amazing scenery.
The trail has eight bridges that cross the slot canyon as it gets narrower and deeper. Near the top, the canyon is only five or six feet wide but 40 - 50 feet deep.
At the last bridge, there is a waterfall that starts cutting into the rock to create the slot canyon. Here is a short video of the falls.
On our way back down, Patty helped move this fallen tree, not.
I have never been on such an amazing trail with so many bridges and felt so comfortable - railings were solid and appropriately tall, the bridges were well built and sited, all making the trek very nice.
The color of the water is very beautiful.
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