Flying to Skookumchuck

I had a chance to fly in to Skookumchuck B.C. a couple of times during the second week of April 2008. I flew from Edmonton to Calgary and then to Cranbrook. Skookumchuck is a 30 minute drive North of Cranbrook. Another hour up the road takes you to Radium Hot Springs. It was a lovely couple of trips and an interesting pulp mill to visit.

The Beech Airliner
Beechcraft 1900D. A model that has been around since 1991. 19 passenger...

Leaving Calgary International Airport.
On our way to Cranbrook British Columbia.

An excellent view
Of the engine. But the Rocky Mountains are still spectacular. We are...

That would be hard hiking.
Can you imagine what it was like for the explorers seeking a pass through the...

I t sure isn't Spring up here.

The Rockies are sure rocky.

Coming down the Western Slopes
Back down to where trees can grow in a sub-alpine ecology. Above the treeline...

Rocks and trees.
Hey. I used a title like that a few years back....

Wouldn't that be wild skiing?

Down into logging country.
You can see where areas are recently logged and other areas where the planted...

The Rocky Mountain Trench
Rocky Mountain Trench is a great valley extending 1400 km NW through BC from...

Logging that is growing back well.
With the fresh snow the patterns are obvious. They are nearly invisible in...

Looking back to the Rockies.
Flying along the valley the mountains are almost higher than we are.

Now they are higher.

The drive to Skookumchuck
The valley is a semi arid pine forest. A beatiful part of our country.

The Mill at Skookumchuck and Kootenay R.
Skookumchuk is a native word meaning strong water. In British Columbia...

Bridge over the Kootenay
The Kootenay is the start of the Columbia River.

It must be Spring

The Pulp Mill

Isn't that an awesome setting.

The Tembec Pulp Mill at Skookumchuck
A very clean and well maintained mill. The kraft process they use and the...

The Caption on the Sign
It says "A Company of People Building Their Own Future".

Further up the road to the hoodoos
These are on the road to the Radium Hot Springs.

Almost looks like the Alberta Badlands

A load of pulp logs and a detour.
The robin was a sign of Spring, the road construction is a sign of Summer.

The road gets interesting

Radium Hot Springs
This area is famous for all the hot springs. There is a circle tour...

What a beautiful place.
This is the hot pool. The cold pool is closed until warmer weather....

I like zoom lenses

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Thanks to a beautiful bronze, life-sized statue located at the Radium Hot...

Radium isn't the only springs

Fairmont Hot Springs
A large resort community surrounds this pool

Columbia Lake
If you look at the full size image you can read the sign.

The source of the Columbia River

Wild fowl along the road.
Geese and ducks on the way north. It looks like canada geese, mallard...

My guess is Trumpeter Swan
If you are thinking snow geese, take a look at...

Flying back to Calgary
The light from the setting sun changes the mountains into a mystery...

What a beautiful world we live in.

Clouds over the foothills.
Got in to Calgary with 6 inches of snow on the ground and all flights...

A week later flying back again.
Look at those clouds over the mountains. And blustery winds all day.

It is going to be a rough trip.

The Cranbrook Airport
With only one runway there are times when cross wind take off are...

Between two worlds
Breaking out above the cumulus clouds we find ourselves in clear air...

Great view.

I see the light.

WOW
I am blowing this one up and framing it.

article published 04/20/2008

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