94. Nihahi Creek Trail

 Distance: 15.8 km to the end and back

Elevation: 463 m

Rachel, Naylis, Skyler, and Allie wanted to thank me for the Physical Education activities over the past year so they decided on a hike/activity and we chose Nihahi Creek Trail based on smoke and weather conditions. Marc joined us.

We took out our bikes at the parking lot before Little Elbow campground and biked up an old rocky logging road for a few kilometres to the trail head.

 

At Nihahi Creek crossing, we parked our bikes and hiked uphill beside the canyon for a kilometre or so.

Marc and Allie led the way and chatted enough to warn any bears.

We followed behind at our senior pace.

When we reached a possible entry into the canyon, some of us eagerly descended to explore.

We posed for a group lunch shot, delicious sausage rolls,

and then everyone went down to climb and jump and take risks.

Rather than continue up the creek and lengthen the hike, the young people voted to return to the bikes.While they played in the creek, Herm and I explored the canyon from the bottom. Logs were posted to help hikers up the falls,

Till we came to a falls which was not passable.

We got on our bikes again and returned to the parking lot, downhill and fast almost all the way.  The plan was to swim at Forgetmenot Pond for a bit to cool down. That wasn't necessary as the sun had disappeared, but bribed with candy, the kids still jumped in and not to be outdone, I did also.

 

Then off to the ice cream shop in Bragg Creek for a great ending to a great outing. I plan to repeat the hike in the spring to enjoy seeing water in the falls.