October Daily 4: Takakkaw Falls

 

Traveling along the Trans Canada Highway, a driver can pull off to the side for many interesting sights. One of these, in Yoho National Park, in the Rockies, is the Spiral Tunnels in Kicking Horse Pass. The tunnels were built in 1909 as a solution to the very steep grades through the mountains. Going up the hill trains needed extra engines, going down was dangerous because of speed and control. 

In the above photo, the train is traveling east, from the right to the left of the photo. The train enters the lower tunnel (going right) which spirals around to exit 17 metres (56 feet) higher, seen in the above photo as a longer train (going left, or east). This is the Upper Spiral and is visible from the road to Takakkaw Falls, about 2.5 kilometres from the highway. We found it rather by accident and are so glad we did. It's a fascinating example of engineering.

On our September trip to the Rockies, we stopped at the viewpoint over the Lower Spiral which is right on the highway, but vegetation has grown up and obscured the tunnel exit, so it's hard to really see anything. While there we spoke with a couple from California who were more impressed at the vast length of the trains than the tunnels, I think. Trains can be up to 4267 metres (14,000 feet) or 2.65 miles. Very long. 

The road to Takakkaw Falls twists and climbs in hairpin turns and narrow stretches to a lovely parking lot from where we walked a short distance to see the falls. There are glimpses of the falls from various points along the road and it's impressive to see it coming closer and closer. 

The rain was quite heavy during our visit, and you can see water spots on the photo. If we weren't drenched by rain, we would have been drenched by the mist coming off the thundering falls. 

Takakkaw Falls are the second highest falls in Canada, 254 metres (833 feet). The highest falls are Della Falls, here on Vancouver Island. (I have not seen them yet.) Takakkaw translates to "magnificent" in Cree. 

On our way back down the mountain, a small herd of female elk crossed the road in front of us and disappeared into the forest. A buck followed them and he stopped to have his photo taken. 

I think he's either giving me the stink-eye, or he's making sure that I'm getting the photo at the best angle to show off his impressive rack. 

Here at home today, I spent some time with my youngest daughter and her two little ones, worked on a writing project, and did a few household chores. When I went for a walk around 4:00 the air was chilly, but oh so clear and energizing. 

How was your day?

I usually try to visit your blogs and comment there, but I'm going to reply to your comments here this month and see how that will work. I replied to yesterday's and it was a bit of a chore as the reply button was slow and quite unresponsive. Maybe it just needs to warm up! :)