Day 16 - May 6 - UP DOWN AND ALL AROUND, WHAT A DAY

It was a long day; over eight hours and 600 kilometres brought us back through northern BC to Fort Nelson. The perfect day seemed to bring us out of the mountains in Yukon, through the foothills, back to the mountains then finally levelling off at Fort Nelson. If variety is the spice of life today was HOT.

As we crossed the border back into BC there were numerous signs warning of wildlife encounter near and on the road, especially bison. I, being a die hard skeptic, dismissed the thought and immediately saw a herd of bison coming up the hill toward the highway.

Topography aside, there were many things to explore as we made our way east then north again. The Mountain Portage Rapids flow through the Whirlpool Canyon along a river still choked with ice breaking into huge chunks.

The "gravel" road into the Smith River Falls is only about 2 kilometres long but it takes about 20 minutes each way because the road is atrocious with potholes and huge ridges. We would never have made it if we had kept the Mazda. It was a bone rattling, nerve twinging ordeal, especially when we met a camper RV in a large mudhole. Somehow we managed to pass one another with a cordial wave and a kind "Enjoy!" But it was worth whatever it took. At the confluence of the Smith and Liard rivers the 35 metre high, 10 metre wide falls plunges into a deep pool below with a thunderous roar.

The mountains today reminded me of Banff, Alberta. High and snow-capped with the highway clear cut much farther back than we have seen elsewhere in BC, it made us appreciate the meaning of majestic.

Muncho Lake was beautiful. We had planned on staying there but changed that plan to accommodate our travels through the Northwest Territories to come. 

Unquestionably a great day for wildlife, something rare for us until recently. Ironically there was a sign for almost all these...and there they were.

And of course it just wouldn't be right if we didn't see another one of these guys.

Just before we arrived in Fort Nelson we descended to an inspiring vista. Accompanied by a sign claiming "Limited Visibility" I couldn't help but wonder, what do they know that I can't see. Sure didn't seem limited to me.

😎