Soon after we moved to the East Kootenays we heard about the long ongoing debate over the Jumbo valley. Developers would like to see a year round ski resort, everybody else would like to keep it wild. Curious about the valley I always wanted to hike it. But from where we live it's an almost 3 hour drive to the trail head, and two of these 3 hours are on a gravel road....
Then we saw Jumbo Wild last winter, a documentary about the fight over the valley, and I knew I had to go see Jumbo valley come summer!
It was one of these spectacular summer days, not too hot, and a few clouds overhead produced this really nice Kodak-chrome light.
Reflection without dog...
After the first part of the ascent we were greeted with this amazing view.
This is Jumbo Valley...now imagine the bottom lined with streets and hotels and the surrounding mountains furrowed by ski lifts....
The further we went up the more stunning the views became
Soon we had reached the jumbo hut. Originally we had planned to stop here, have lunch and then return. But there was one more "knoll" (as seen to the right in the image below) and we were wondering how the views would be from up there....
That last part was rather steep, especially on an empty stomach, but so worth it!
Floral mountain views...above Pasqueflower seeds heads, below Indian Paintbrush and Subalpine Buttercups
As always, please feel free to click on the images to enlarge them...it's worth it.
Once we reached the top, the view literally took our breath away. Below an almost 360 view from the summit. Two other hiking parties were up there, a mother-son team from Squamish, BC and a experienced hiking couple. We briefly exchanged a few words before the couple headed off. Baffled I found out later, in a conversation with the Squamish lady, that I finally had met and talked to nobody else then Janice Strong! The author of my trusty hiking guide " Mountain Footsteps".
Janice, I hope one day we can hike together!
The panorama is best viewed enlarged!
While I was busy taking photos, Monika had started her well earned lunch. My growling stomach made sure that I joined her rather quickly.
It always surprises me how plants survive these harsh mountain conditions. These little gems flourished in the wind shadow of a big rock.
Slowly we started our way back....the dogs were rested and seemed not to be tired at all.
The flower girls....
Beautiful Pasqueflower aka Anemone, above in bloom,
below the seed head.
Mountain Heather
Glacier Lily, bears love these...;-)
Merten's Moss Heather
While I was crawling around to photograph the wildflowers, Monika and Leica chilled on the rocks.
The final steps back down to the trail head follow a little waterfall...fairy tale surroundings...
If time and location allows, go hike this extremely beautiful area.
The permit of the original planned resort expired last year and the government did not renew it. This is a major step towards the protection of Jumbo Valley but not yet a final victory. The developers have not given up and are working now on a down scaled version of the resort. For more info click here.
I urge you to watch the movie, Jumbo Wild, and/or sign the petition for the protection of this valley!
Link to movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNRYgn7T2C4
Link to sign the petition: https://secure.wildsight.ca/jumbo
