Tracy and I met up after the Prince George Naturalist Club did it’s walk around the east side the Hudson’s Bay Wetland area. We continued our walk into the Fort George park with Danny and headed towards the highway 16 underpass.
We didn’t quite make it to the bridge though, at least not in the approved trail. We branched off of the paved trail which was still covered in packed snow and ice. Taking a side trail down into the Fraser River’s dried and snow covered bank. Exploring underneath the highway 16 bridge and around the little island between highway 16’s bridge and the train bridge then under and around that bridge as well.
There were some awesome looking icicles that formed underneath some partially melted snow packs along the river. I’ve never seen anything like it before, so I was glad to have the chance.
It’s hard to believe that in just a few weeks the steps we took will be impossible to repeat till deep into next winter. Soon, if it hasn’t already gotten a good start, the might Fraser will begin it’s spring time rise and flooding. In fact a couple of years ago it flooded so high the very area that we veered off from was submerged in a few feet of water. Last Sunday though the river quite low and most of the river bed was exposed to either snow or where it had melted away – sand and rocks.
It was sad to see just how much “garbage” was caught in the sand and rocks in the river bed itself. Especially underneath the train bridge where you could see broken pieces of steel that once held railway tracks and ties in place and the ground was covered in what looked like oil that had fallen from the trains crossing the bridge above. No wonder fish stocks are falling around the world – we’re poisoning them with everything we do.
Still, it was a really cool place to explore and discover. We made it nearly completely across the Fraser on dry land at the train bridge. Just the very last section of the bridge where the last pylon is and the east side was impassable because of the river.
Along the way we came across a couple that was gold panning. I hope they enjoyed themselves as much as they looked to be enjoying the time. Afterwards I could see the shiny flakes in the sand and sparkling in the still water pools. Gold? Fool’s Gold? I don’t know. It was just cool to see.
Among the pictures I got are duck foot prints, garbage embedded in the riverbed and a few things you might find appealing. As usual, here are a few images and the rest will be at my flickr share. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwgagel.
Duck Tracks
Railway Pieces
Danny
Gold Panner
Icicles
Learning To Expose 