How does an advertised TL2 walk up Nihahi Creek turn into a SC5 canyoneering adventure? Well, it’s the alluring draw of a Utah-style slot canyon, pulling two thirds of our number into its cool, smoothly contoured embrace.

The Nihahi Creek upper slot canyon

There are two canyon sections on this Eastern Slopes creek in the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. On a hot summer day we couldn’t resist scrambling up the upper section, returning on the trail. Here rocks and strategically placed logs enabled us to cross the deep “tanks” (water holes) and climb up dry waterslides by walking the logs and pressing on the sides.

Working up the upper canyon

Carolyn, Kent and Gerry work their way up the canyon. This was Kent’s and Gerry’s first experience with rock scrambling and they declared it great fun.

Balancing act crossing a tank

Carolyn walks a log over a tank. This canyon was similar to those we find in the desert in Utah or Arizona, except that here we have grey limestone instead of pink sandstone.

Approaching a pour-off

Carolyn approaches a small pour-off in the lower canyon section. It must be an amazing sight to see this canyon in run-off.

End of the line for scramblers

You can only descend the lower canyon to the huge pour-off section, where this 50-foot drop is followed immediately by another one. Serious climbers could rappel these pour-offs but this is the end of the line for scramblers. Again, what a sight the waterfalls would be during run-off.

Canyoneers Carolyn, Gerry, Kent

Carolyn, Gerry and Kent pose in the lower canyon. We retraced our steps until we could ascend a reasonable slope back to the hiking trail. The flowers on this trip were awesome, including the beautiful lady’s slipper orchid, elephant head orchid and yellow columbines. Bug action could be called moderate, although we did get somewhat bitten up. It was a hot and humid day moderated by some cool zephyrs. We had a sprinkle on the drive out, and passed through a heavy shower at (appropriately) Rainy Pass on the drive back, but our hike was in the mountains to the west of the foothills instability zone, thus dry. We saw a deer in the morning.

We were back to the cars by 5:10, and headed for ice creams in Bragg Creek. Participants: Carolyn, Gerry, Kent, Erica, Caroline, guest, and Carl, coordinator and scribe.