Tumbler Ridge, BC

Leslie – Tuesday, May 18, 2010           Milepost 0 RV Park
We had determined that today we would take a road trip out of Dawson Creek.  Stan and Connie’s truck is still in the repair facility, so we had the whole day to explore.  We read about the town of Tumbler Ridge,  69 miles from Dawson Creek. Off we went. …
At the Tumbler Ridge Visitor’s Center we learned about Kinuseo Falls in Monkman Provincial Park.  The falls are higher than Niagara Falls. If you are brave, you can drive to the top of the falls.  We were warned that the 37 mile road to the falls is gravel and rutted in many portions. There are active mining operations (open pit coal) along the road so it is not uncommon to meet mining trucks traveling fast.  After the drive of 37 miles in each direction, I think I can speak for all of us, that the description given of the road is generous and kind.  The road is horrible!  We bounced along for two hours in each direction, rarely exceeding 25 mph. 
While the falls are impressive, I think that the scenery along the road was equally impressive.

Beaver built their lodge.

Beaver built their dam.

At the waterfall, the stratification of the rock on the far shore was unusual.
The brochures and materials from the Visitor’s Center claimed that by driving the mining road to the falls we would have a good opportunity to view wildlife.  Unfortunately we were not successful.  Collectively we saw two chipmunks and one squirrel.  That’s not too good for a whole day of driving.   Although grizzly bear have been reported in the area, I wonder if it is really too early in the season to see many of them at this altitude.   The new growth on trees and among perennials has just started to bloom.  There was a field of tulips just like this one that had barely emerged from the ground.

Kinuseo Falls

Robert - Tuesday, May 18.

I heard the pitter-patter of rail drops on the roof about 4:30 this morning. I just rolled over and went back to sleep although it was getting light outside. When I later got up around 7:30 it was still raining although just lightly. By 8:00 it had mostly stopped.

Today we had planned to drive to Monkman Provincial Park to see Kimseo Falls. That drive is 115 miles. The last 30 miles is gravel and VERY rough. Driving much more than 15-20 mph endangers life, limb, and the vehicle suspension. We first drove to Tumbler Ridge, BC (the closest town to the falls) around noon. We checked at the visitor’s center for direction and then ate lunch in a restaurant there. In the visitor’s center we ran into two men who had just returned from camping in the park. They confirmed the road was rough. They also said they had seen bears, coyotes and moose. After lunch we set off to the falls.

We didn’t arrive at the falls until a little after 3:00. Not only is the road rough, it is dusty. Snowflake was almost orange from the dust. The falls are beautiful. They drop the Murray River 197 feet.

The water going over the falls

The river just below the falls

Along the road between Tumbler Ridge and the falls, beavers had built several dams in a small stream.
Beaver dam

I drove to the falls so Leslie drove back while I snoozed in the back seat. When we got back to Dawson Creek it was getting late so we ate in a restaurant and came back home to two starving cats.