Best Places to See in BC - Helmcken Falls

Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park
should be a Must-Go-To-And-Gape-At-Open-Mouthed
destination for anyone either living in BC
or visiting here.
Helmcken Falls is a 141 m (463 ft)
waterfall on the Murtle River, and
is the fourth largest waterfall in Canada.

I'd heard so much about the ice dome that forms
at the base of the falls during the cold winter months here
in British Columbia. Had to see it for myself.

You really have to see this in person to appreciate the
size of the falls, and the dome itself, which can reach over
150 ft high some winters if it's cold enough.
I estimated this years dome to be roughly 100 ft high.
The sound of the Murtle River dropping down into this
dome is like nothing I have ever heard before.
A deep muffled roar are the best words I can use to describe it.
Our language is so limited when it comes to
evoking what is really happening when you first
are hit the sound waves from the falls.

I was lucky enough to observe and photograph the falls over
2 days and 2 very different skies.

The first day I met some ice climbers just coming out
of the bowl. Now that would be a spectacular way to
see and photograph this amazing feat of
Mother Nature.
The initial drop over the rim must be ... stomach churning
and adrenaline rushing all rolled into one emotion.
Fear of heights is not an option.

I think I am hearing another adventure about to hatch.

Crystal Falls, British Columbia, Canada

The trail along upper Coquitlam River
in Port Coquitlam, B.C.
wanders amongst large
fir trees, a symphony
of birdsong, and the soothing
sounds of river water.
It's an easy 45 minute
hike to the falls, which tumbles
and splashes its way to
join nearby Coquitlam River.
The falls are actually part of
Pritchett Creek, and if you can
manage the mountain goat like
clamber up the hill besides the main falls,
you will be delighted to find 2 smaller falls.
I'm not sure if the smaller ones have
names. I decided to name them
Peace and Serenity respectively.
Well worth the time spent to get here,
Crystal Falls represents a closeness
to Mother Nature in the midst of the
rush and hub bub of the city.

Cypress Falls, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Cypress Falls Park on the
North Shore of Vancouver,
offers some impressive views
of Cypress Canyon.

There are a lot of canyons
on the North Shore.
All are impressive for their
display of the sheer
force of water that has carved
its way through solid rock over generations.

In Cypress Canyon, the water
shoots through a narrow rock
chute and plummets
down 10 meters into another set of
falls that in turn, cascade over
another set of rocks, called
Lower Cypress Falls.
If the falls aren't enough to
make you drop your jaw,
then the 400 year old
fir tress are sure to give your
neck a good workout. They are
massive and majestic.

Cypress Falls adjoins
Cypress Provincial Park.
Another lifetime of discoveries
and adventures.