Kinuseo Falls

Far, far away over the hills and through the mountains, in the northern rocky mountains of the place they call British Columbia, lies Monkman Provincial Park. In this park there flows a great river, the Murray River. A geological fault created a cascade through this river, amounting to 60 meters tall, which is now called the Kinuseo Falls.

The falls are located 60 kilometers south of Tumbler Ridge. An enchanting hike through 3 kilometers of lush forrest from the Kinuseo Falls Campground leads right to them, although most people drive.

Kinuseo falls stand at 197 feet. The world famous Niagara falls measure up to only 167, however Kinuseo falls don't move the same volume of water. The first known photos of the falls were taken in 1914, during the Fay expedition. With 21 horses including 5 horses and 16 pack horses, Samuel Prescott Fay and his crew traveled the treacherous 1, 200 kilometers of uncharted territory from Jasper to their final destination and arrived, fully intact and with evidence of having found the falls.

A letter from Fay to the Geographic Board of Canada 1920, reads as follows:

"...on our way down the east branch of the South Pine River (which flows north into the Peace, coming in below Hudson's Hope) we came to a large fall over 200 feet high. These we called Kinoosao Falls (meaning 'fish' in the Cree language) owing to the great numbers of trout both above and below the falls. We gave that name as it seemed most appropriate. We were unable to find anyone who had ever seen or heard of these falls, although some of the Indians had heard of them vaguely....."

All this from Fay, but I myself couldn't remember to bring warm hiking attire for the one day trip and had to use the men's coveralls from the floor of the back of our pick up truck

And yet again, just as always, before we leave we take one last look at the wondrous marvel that beholds us, icing sugar mist rising from the billowing clouds of water over the rocky terrain.

And the afterthought that we, like most other creatures, are of no significance on this earth. And also to remember to pack proper hiking clothes next time.

Bailey Sue