By Keri Sculland
We are fortunate enough to have three rivers flowing through the Golden area.
The lazy Columbia River meets the wild and raucous Kicking Horse in town. Through the Blaeberry, the Blaeberry River kicks up quite a fuss, crashing through canyons, creating the beautiful Thompson Falls, racing its way through the mountains.
The Blaeberry River never ceases to amaze me. Whatever type of adventure or environment I’m looking for, I can find it there. Let’s start from the top. Way out on the Blaeberry Forest Service Road, there are a million camping spots. Without giving away my favourites, I can say that when I roll up to camp, my favourite thing is waking up to the sound of the rippling Blaeberry River. I bring my gumboots and walk through the shallow runoffs, finding solitude in the middle of high ground.
Further down the river is Thompson Falls, toward town. There are two ways to get here, although I’ve never been able to find the easy route on my own. A spot along the Blaeberry Forest Service Road is where you can pull to the park and walk right to the top of the falls. But as life is never easy, and I haven’t been one to take handouts, I start from the base of the trail, nearly two hours away. The trail is drop-dead gorgeous. It twists and winds along the banks of the Blaeberry River, eventually climbing up into the trees before quickly descending to the top of Thompson Falls. You hear it before you see it. You can almost feel the ground shaking beneath your feet under its force.
Back down near the base of the trail is the IOB campground. I have no idea what that stands for, and I think I have heard different variations on its name. The river twists around various high-water spots in this area. At this time of year, the mountains are capped with snow, the air is crisp, and you want mitts if you’re not hiking or running around.
This is one of my favourite spots to stop when I’m alone. The area is populated enough that I feel safe knowing people are close enough, civilization isn’t completely lost, and cell reception is mostly OK. Even if there are people at the campground, there is always a quiet place to be found around here. I love to bring my guitar and stare at the changing colour of the trees and the snow on the mountains for inspiration.
Disclaimer: Always bring bear spray, be smart and aware, and protect yourself.
The Blaeberry River crosses under roads from the forest service road to the Trans-Canada Highway. One of the best bridges to look over the edge and dip along the shores is on the Golden Donald Upper Road. This place can be a popular swimming hole in the summer, but once again, there are plenty of places to find peace, depending on how far you want to tip-toe along the water’s edge.
Almost everywhere you look in the Blaeberry, you’re surrounded by mountains, water, farms, and gorgeous fall colours on the trees at this time of year. Get out of town, off the beaten path, and take in some of the beauty of Area A.
