West Kootenay Photo Blog

Mt Cooper and McKain Drainge

2012-01-08T12:53:00.001-08:00

2011-09-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

2010-04-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

(L) Tetragon Peak (M) Mt MacCarthy

2009-10-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Parts of Goat Range From Meadow Mountain

2009-09-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Mountain Spirits

2009-09-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Valhalla Provincial Park

2009-09-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Emperor Peak (Middle Right Hand Side)

2008-10-21T18:38:00.001-07:00

North Side of Horseshoe Glacier

2008-10-12T20:53:00.001-07:00

Tenderfoot Creek

2008-09-28T12:36:00.001-07:00

Above Glacier Creek (North Fork) The Other Form Of Getting High In The Kootenays

2008-09-28T09:47:00.001-07:00

Clear Skies Over Trout Lake, British Columbia

2008-09-25T12:17:00.001-07:00

Razors Edge

2008-08-03T15:16:00.001-07:00

Cooper Creek

2008-05-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

Mt Lavina

2007-11-01T20:44:00.001-07:00

From left to right. Glacier Creek, Mt Lavina, Hamill Creek, Comb Mtn, Clint Creek. (Left Center) Duncan Dam and the south end of Duncan Lake behind the dam.

MacBeth IceField

2007-11-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

Fire Scence of the Davis Creek Fires

2007-10-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

I fought a fire in this steep valley in 1998 and six years later after I was out of the forest fire fighting business another wildfire tore through the same area. The fire in 2006 helped accomplish what we stopped it from doing in 1998.

Kootenay Lake September 2007

2007-10-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Cooper Face, Mt Cooper and McKain Creek Surrounding Area

2007-10-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

Mt Marion

2007-10-13T14:44:00.001-07:00

The black spotting on the nearest ridge (left center) is from what I believe is from the Little Spokane Creek fire of 07'.

McKian Creek Drainage

2007-10-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Mt Cooper (3089 m), Spokane Glacier and McKian Creek Drainage

2007-10-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Surrounding mountains that usually have snow covering them at this time of year lay barren after a very dry summer of 07'. It's been reported that the West Kootenay's are in a 6 year drought.

Mt Cooper (3089 m) and Spokane Glacier from Meadow Mountain

2007-09-30T06:58:00.001-07:00

I had'nt been to Meadow Mountain since 1972 and then as teenagers we liked the scenery but we where more interested in exploring the new found mountain top. For the the next 34 years I always wanted to get back up to see the scenery and on my holidays in 07' I finally did. There were'nt any bears to bother a person, they had all headed down into the valleys to forage and one could sit for hours just taking it all in.

Mt Templeman from East Creek

2007-09-23T18:01:00.001-07:00

B.B. Creek from the East Creek bridge

2007-09-23T17:47:00.001-07:00

The photo was taken not far from the old K.F.P. (Kootenay Forest Products) formerly the (Eddy Match Stick Company), camp at 63 klm on the BCFS Duncan Lake Foresty Access Road.

Upper Duncan Lake from Cockle Creek

2007-09-23T16:58:00.001-07:00

The Duncan Lake Reservoir was created in 1967 after BC Hydro flooded the Duncan Valley and the original Duncan Lake creating a man made lake.

To see more of what Duncan Lake looks like, check out Balance of Power: Hydroelectric Development in Southeastern British Columbia

South Bay or Lower Arm

2007-09-23T16:50:00.001-07:00

South Bay or Lower Arm. Duncan Island in the background

Healy Creek in the Alpine

2007-09-23T08:48:00.001-07:00

Healy Creek

2007-09-22T13:53:00.001-07:00

2007-09-21T20:34:00.001-07:00

Hall Creek from Pass pass between Hall and Healy Creeks

2007-09-21T20:25:00.001-07:00

The Purcell Mountain Range in the distance from the top of Hall Creek

Redfish (Kokanee)

2007-09-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Small school of Redfish (Kokanee) waiting for the right time to spawn in the Lardeau River. The world famous Gerrard Rainbow Trout use the Lardreau River in the spring to spawn at Gerrard. It's peak is usually around Mother's Day in the spring.

Laedeau River

2007-09-21T20:10:00.001-07:00

Lardeau River from Goldhill Bridge

Mtn Willet

2007-09-19T18:34:00.001-07:00

Mt Willet can be seen from almost anywhere on the north arm of Kootenay Lake as seen here from the beach at Kaslo. I have never climbed it either from the backside via Kootenay Joe or up from Argenta. Maybe someday when I have the time and a day or two to kill.

Mtn Davis

2007-09-19T18:04:00.001-07:00

It looks better with a winters snow on it.

Kootenay Lake (Fighting the Haze)

2007-09-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

A view down Kootenay Lake from the top of Salisbury Forestry Access Road. The haze in the photo is what I was fighting the day before while at the old Buchanan Forest Fire Lookout.

Buchanan Lookout

2007-09-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

I went to Ainsworth Hotsprings to visit a old friend but found out he was'nt home and was still in the US, so I had a afternoon to kill, so I thought that since I was around the Kaslo area I'd take a drive up to the old Buchanan Lookout that the BCFS use to use as a fire lookout before they started using planes to spot forest fires. The road was alot worse than I remember, especially towards the top, but it was well worth the drive. You could probably drive it in 4x2 in low range but it's much easier on you and the vehicle your driving if your in 4x4.

I found most of the main Kootenay Lake valley encased in haze, probably from other forest fires in the area that were not visible as well as moisture in the air and general pollution from lack of any winds to clear it out, so most of the photo's I took turned out to be a disappointment, except for this one. The Kaslo River drainage was clear of the haze.

Near Nancy Greene Lake

2007-09-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

I know I have'nt updated this blog for quite awhile, but then I have'nt been to the West Kootenays for quite awhile, but recently I had my annual vacation from my job at Ryder Logistics and Transportation and thought it would be nice to go back the the West Kootenays and do alittle re-visiting to places that I had photographed before and one place I had'nt been to since about 72'.

On the drive up from the coast I stopped not far from Nancy Greene Lake at what looked like a marsh that had'nt seen very much moisture over the past several months. While walking through the timber, you might call it the forest, I found that the ground litter (small twigs and branches as well as duff) was crunching under my feet, meaning that this area had'nt had any great amount of moisture for quite some time.

Shower over Riondel

2006-09-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Fall Colours

2005-11-09T04:49:00.000-08:00

Duncan Dam

2005-07-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Duncan Lake behind Duncan Dam from Cooper Face.

Mtn Cooper from Argenta

2005-07-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

The Tiger Lily

2005-07-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

While on a soul searching mission one Sunday afternoon I ran across this beautiful Tiger Lily nessled amoungst the spruce stands on a mountain not far from where I live. Not only did I find what I was looking for on my soul searching mission but I also found the beauty of a plant that reminds me of a very beautiful and caring woman I know and just how fragile both are.

2005-05-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Kootenay Lake from Kaslo, known for it's world famous Gerrard Rainbow Trout. The Purcell Mountains rise steeply to the east, giving a person some fantastic views of snow capped peaks.

2005-04-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Mtn Cooper, behind Meadow Mountain is one of the higher peaks in the West Kootenays, but is well hidden if one does'nt know to where to look for it.

Mtn Davis

2005-04-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

Mtn Davis in April snow

Campbell Creek

2005-04-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Campbell Creek

Meadow Mountain and the Duncan Flats

2005-02-27T20:40:00.000-08:00

Meadow Mountain in the background is littered with recent logging cut-blocks logged by SFP and old ones of KFP. The snow capped peaks as well as lower portions are skied. The Duncan Flats ( center of photo ) at the head of Kootenay Lake are used by wildlife as a sanctuary.

Clear Day in the Kootenays

2005-02-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

West Arm of Kootenay Lake just west of the Harrop Ferry

Grove of Aspens

2005-02-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

Elk and mule deer forage beneath the Aspens and adjacent firs stands in the early spring once the snow has melted.

North Arm of Kootenay Lake

2005-02-08T21:28:00.000-08:00

Looking down Kootenay Lake from a vantage point that I have only been to once, 30 years ago as a young boy.

Below the Bridge at Fry Creek

2005-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Below the Bridge at Fry Creek

Fry Creek Canyon

2005-02-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

Fry Creek Canyon from the Bridge

Fir

2005-02-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

Just a photo of a hillside that has'nt been totally logged off or had a forest fire burn through it like the opposite side of the lake, where a fire burnt off the forest in 1985 and in the distance clears cuts above Lardeau.

2005-01-23T16:28:00.000-08:00

Ducking the Fog

Salmo-Creston Skyway

2005-01-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

Winter at the top of the Salmo-Creston Skyway. It was clear and -20.

Fry Creek

2005-01-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Fry Creek. On my way back from Nelson and I noticed that you could look up Fry Creek, which at the best of times you can't in the winter. The peninsula is owned by a religious group. The Fry Canyon is a Recreation Area. Beyond that you enter the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.

2005-01-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Lost-Ledge from Johnsons Landing (2005)

The Ponderosa Pine

2005-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

On one of my walks I came apon this Ponderosa Pine. I remember them as a kid and they are just as big as I remember them twenty years ago

Heading down the West Side of Gray Creek Pass

2004-11-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

Heading down the West Side of Gray Creek Pass. The road on the Kimberly side is real rough and the west side is really steep. Trust me on this. My 1995 Toyota 4-Runner did'nt have enough compression so I had to 4x4 low to go down the west side.

Looking down Laib Creek ( Darkwoods)

2004-11-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

Laib has been logged extensively as has alot of the private land holdings known as Darkwoods Forestry.

Darkwoods Forestry has managed private forestland located
between Nelson, Salmo and Creston for 36 years.

Darkwoods Forestry is wholly owned by a German family, which has owned and managed
forests in Europe for several hundred years.

Alpine Lake on the north side of the pass ontop of Laib Creek (Darkwoods)

2004-11-29T18:05:00.000-08:00

Alpine Lake on the north side of the pass ontop of Laib Creek (Darkwoods)

Top of Laib Creek

2004-11-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

Top of Laib Creek. Hell if I know why I took this photo. Probably was hoping to see a Grizzly.

Some of the scenery at the top of Laib Creek

2004-11-29T18:03:00.000-08:00

Some of the scenery at the top of Laib Creek, that is if you can call alot of bare rock, scenery

2004-11-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

Looking towards Midge Creek

2004-11-29T18:01:00.001-08:00

Old orchard

2004-11-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

Evening on Kootenay Lake

2004-11-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

Kootenay Lake

2004-11-29T17:58:00.000-08:00

Mtn Tyrell

2004-11-29T17:56:00.001-08:00

Lousy picture of Mtn Willet

2004-11-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

Fry Creek and Mount Tyrell

2004-11-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

Kootenay Lake. Looking towards Meadow Mountain ( background and snowcapped )

2004-11-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

Kootenay Lake

2004-11-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

Kootenay Lake

2004-11-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

Part of the Duncan Flats at the north end of Kootenay Lake

2004-11-29T17:05:00.000-08:00

On the road to Argenta and Johnsons Landing. Mtn Willet in the background.

2004-11-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Duncan Lake Reservoir from Glacier Creek

2004-11-29T16:44:00.000-08:00

Duncan Lake Reservoir.The storm is in the Lardeau River and over Howser Ridge

Duncan Lake Reservoir

2004-11-29T16:43:00.000-08:00

Duncan Lake Reservoir or should I say where Duncan Lake Reservoir should be. This is a early spring time shot after BC Hydro has dumped the reservoir over the winter. The dam was built for flood control on the Kootenay and Columbia river systems.

Rory Creek

2004-11-28T23:30:00.000-08:00

Backend of Rory Creek. A fire burnt through Rory Creek in 1985. One of the worst fire years the BC saw up until then.

Looking up Rory Creek

2004-11-28T23:29:00.000-08:00

Backend of Rory Creek

2004-11-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Howser Spire

2004-11-28T11:26:00.001-08:00

Howser Spire

2004-11-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

Howser Spire

2004-11-28T11:25:00.000-08:00

Howser Spire

2004-11-28T11:24:00.001-08:00

Howser Spire

2004-11-28T11:24:00.000-08:00

Howser Spire

In Tenise Creek

2004-11-28T11:19:00.001-08:00

In Tenise Creek

2004-11-28T11:19:00.000-08:00

In Tenise Creek

2004-11-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Backend of Tea Ceek

2004-11-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

Virgin Mountan

2004-11-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

On Howser main, just below Rory Creek turnoff. Virgin Mtn in the background.

2004-11-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

A old fire on the far mountain. A lighting strike set it.

2004-11-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

There's a deer in this photo someplace

Black Blob Black Bear

2004-11-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

That black blob is a young black bear

Rory from Echo

2004-11-28T11:01:00.000-08:00

Looking north towards the cutblocks on what is generally know as Rory Face. The snow capped montains in the background are the backends of Rory and Sluicebox Creeks. Very right hand side of the photo is a cutblock that had been recently burnt.

2004-11-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

Another view of the creek and terrain. The photo's where taken from Echo Creek, accessable at 48.8 on the Howser Creek mainline, which you access at 34 klm on the Duncan mainline.

Terrain in Howser Creek

2004-11-28T10:52:00.000-08:00

Terrain in Howser Creek. Viewing part of the Four Squatters. The creek in the photo ( center ) runs out of the side of the mountain. My theory is that it starts under the ice of the Four Squatters

Duncan Lake on a smoky day

2004-11-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

The area between the camera and the hump of rock at Howser Creek have always been good for two things. Prime elk habitat and dope growing.

2004-11-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

BB Creek from the Duncan Mainline