This view is not only from the top of a rockpile, it is also from the top of Roger's Pass. Glaciers and avalanches brough the rocks to this spot from the mountain peaks down into the alpine valley. We are in British Columbia, Canada's Westernmost and mountainous province.
The Rockgarden trail is on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway and is the perfect spot to stretch one's legs on the drive from Calgary to Vancouver. Unfortunately because of all the rocks, pets are not recommended. To use this trail one needs a Parks Canada Pass.
The trail is just over half a kilometer long and other than going up a 20 meter high rock pile, there is nothing to it. A boardwalk crosses a bog to the Rockgarden and then there are markings on the rocks when the trail isn't obvious so one shouldn't get lost.
The views are stunning and there is still a lot of snow up on the mountain peaks. This photo was taken in early June when hiking season was just getting into full swing. If you want to see raging mountain streams from melting snow and ice, this is the time to visit.
The forests are green filled with giant cedars and lichen covered rocks. There is a temperate inland rainforest in the valley as clouds shed their weight to go over the Canadian Rocky Mountains. People come to the park to spend days on end hiking the many trails and exploring the mountainous terrain.
Here is one of the markings to guide the way on our path. It's quite elaborate and blends into the rock. One might even think it was carved by the ancients.
Large glaciers a kilometer thick or more would have carried these rocks to this place during the last ice age when most of the mountains were covered in a thick sheet of ice. One has to really watch their step up here as it is also an ideal spot for an injury.
Where people don't step, the moss takes over. Especially in the shade and northern side of the rockpile the carpet is thick and full of life.
One almost forgets they are on a six hour drive during this 15 minute break. We always try to plan a short hike or two per day when on the road. The stress of driving through the mountains and continual construction is behind us.
Now this is a view looking south, there's pretty much nothing but mountains, rocks and trees until one gets to Spokane 400 km south of Glacier National Park. The nature is endless as are the opportunities to explore the great outdoors.
We finish our short excursion with a breathtaking panorama from on top of the rockpile. This challenging but scenic terrain was notably where the final link in the first railroad connecting Canada was finished.
Thank you for reading and have a nice week.
All photos were taken with an s22 and are unfiltered
