July 7, 2023: Lafferty's Creek

Our day started hot and sunny and stayed that way. A sun dog was visible in the sky above the incredibly high cliff walls. We went through some fun rapids on George's Riffle on our way into First Canyon, where the almost vertical walls rise to 1,000 feet, had a snack break pull-over, and then just as we thought we were stopping for lunch, it turned out we were at our campsite at Lafferty's Creek for an early day off the river. 


George's Riffle

A sun dog (forms when sun shines through icy clouds)

It is in an area of karst, with the extensive cave networks of Grotte Valerie. The caves are classified Schedule 1 (not accessible to visitors), as there are delicate crystals, stalactites/stalagmites, year-round ice lakes/rivers, and hundreds of Dall sheep skeletons that have mysteriously accumulated.

We had a quick swim in the river after lunch to cool down - it didn't seem quite as silty, and there was an area where the current wasn't strong. Then we headed up the rocky wash-out of Lafferty Creek, which had similarly interesting rocks as in Dry Creek Canyon the day before. 



Two different minerals melded together

Pools start to accumulate, and we stop to cool off

As we proceeded upstream it narrowed to a slot canyon, with cool, clear-running pools and smooth waterslides that the kids delighted in discovering. I was glad I'd brought our waterproof camera on this hike, as there was no keeping it out of the water. The final leg was swum against the gushing current, with the guides helping to hall us up small waterfalls, and then we were in a pool back in the open sunshine. It was amazing. Kendra and Miles said they wanted to live there. It may never be possible to top the feeling of wonder that we were discovering our own secret world on this hike.




Once again we were late getting to bed, although it was still fully sunny. Miles is going to have a hard time readjusting to the Toronto schedule when we get home.

A beautiful moth by our tent


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