Simpson River & Trail is a natural area you’ll find between Radium, BC and Banff, AB. We ran across it on our trip back home. We passed through a lot of burned areas that had obviously been the victim of recent forest fires and the Simpson natural area was near the edge of it.
You’ll see the fire damage to the left if you enlarge and look at the above image. That is from 2023 according to the signage in the area. They also had fires in 2021 and two more over a decade earlier. This area has bad luck with fires, I guess.
East Kootenay, British Columbia, 2024-07-15
Kootenay, British Columbia, 2024-07-15
The fire damage is more apparent once you cross the foot bridge over the Simpson River and enter the trail proper. There are signs describing the damage and the numerous fires over the years. There are signs of fire everywhere, but more signs of life. The forest is renewing itself.
The river itself is a joy to look at and play in a bit, but it is so very cold like all other mountain streams. Staying in it for more than a couple minutes is a great way to get hypothermia.
Columbia, 2024-07-15
Kootenay, British Columbia, 2024-07-15
Both my daughter and I stuck our bare feet in the water, but for less than a minute. Just freezing. It sure made a hot day feel cooler, I’ll tell you that. It was a very nice diversion on our trip home from British Columbia.
All images made with my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra mobile phone. My dSLR bag was buried under a tonne of luggage on the way home. Oops.
