Thursday 30 October 2008

Hiking Trails - Rockwall Pass Trail (Tumbling Creek Pass) - Day 9 of 11

This post belongs to the first series of an 11-day hike, which is a 11-day wilderness backpacking trip from Kananaskis, along the Continental Divide to Yoho National Park. Today’s post covers the ninth day.

Continuation of hike from Tumbling Creek Pass to Helmet Falls in Kootenay National Park
13km - 6 hours – moderate – closest town: Field, BC

71.3 miles (114.0 km) — Tumbling Pass. Elevation: 7,250 feet (2,175 metres)

[1-Near Tumbling Creek Campground with Tumbling Glacier behind]

From the campsite, the hiker does a moderate climb 375 metres (1,250 foot) up to Wolverine Plateau.

[2– wildflowers]




[3 Mt. Gray, rises 3,000 metres, marking the entrance to Wolverine Pass. This is the only break in the Rockwall for its 53 km length.]



[4-Wolverine Pass looking west]





[5-Meadows with Mt. Gray, wolverine Pass and Tumbling Glacier behind]


The trail climbs gradually for the next 5.6 km (3.5 miles) as it crosses the Rockwall Pass to the Limestone Summit, while the hiker watches out for falling rock.





[6- Limestone Summit]


The trail descends to Helmet Creek before climbing again to Limestone Summit at an elevation of 2,134.5m (7,115 feet).

[7]






[8- Limestone Pass with Rockwall on side]




Limestone Pass is next which again is a moderate climb and great views of the Rockwall. Then the trail descends 420m (1,400 feet) in 3.2km (2 miles) to Helmet Falls with glimpses of the 352m falls marking northern end of the Rockwall. While the hiker approaches the falls over an avalanche chute, the noise of the cascading water increases. The water that forms this waterfall begins from two separate sources, the Washmawapta and Sharp Glaciers. Washmawapta is a Stoney native term for “ice river”. West Washmawapta Glacier is below Helmet Mountain, 3124 m (10,250 feet).

As soon as you begin the descent to the campsite, look for an exciting view of Mt. Goodsir and Sentry Peak to the west.


[9 Helmet bridge to campground]

The trail crosses a bridge to the campsite. The Helmet Falls campsite is maintained in a natural state with a clear, cold stream flowing through it. There are 18 campsites with a pit toilet and food storage pole.



[10-Helmut Falls]







There is a short walk of 1.5 km to the base of Helmut Falls from a fork in the trail before the campsite. Here is a good place to see the Rocky Mountain Goat often in their lofty vantage points.




[11- Rocky Mountain goat with kid]





[12- Rocky Mountain Goat]




Research: Parks Canada, peakfinder.com.
Photo Credits: [1][3][4][5][6][8][9][10]-nordique-CC=flickr, [2][7]-dbuc-CC=nc-nd-flickr, [11][12]-natures calm-CC=nc-nd-flickr.

11 comments:

Maria said...

What a great trail! I love best the Limestone Pass with Rockwell, but the whole trail looks so inviting!
Thank you for visiting my blog :)
Have a nice weekend!

Barbara Martin said...

Maria, I really like this trail. During childhood I accompanied my older brothers, during family trips to the mountains, following them up steep paths to wonders so dazzling. Never thinking that some bear might find us tender and tasty morsels.

Charles Gramlich said...

That's what you call vistas.

Barbara Martin said...

Charles, probably dusted with snow by now.

Anonymous said...

Barbara I see you can also take some beautiful nature shots well done ! as far as your question regarding the snake yes it is endangered but what animal is'nt nowadays......:(

Webradio said...

Great "balade", with beautiful photos !

Barbara Martin said...

Philip, welcome. I try to use photos that seemingly 'speak' to me and display the location as closely as possible.

Very sad how some humans think the earth's creatures are disposable items.

Webradio, thank you.

Lana Gramlich said...

Wow...So stunning!

Barbara Martin said...

Lana, it has that affect on me too.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this beautiful hiking virtual Massive Rock Mountain in British Columbia.
Continue. And thank's for share.
François

Barbara Martin said...

François, it is my pleasure to present to others the places I enjoy the most, some which are childhood memories.