When I arrived at the starting point of the Swift Creek Lookout trail in Valemount, the river greeted me with its steady rush of cold, clear water. The path began gently beside the riverbank, but I knew that the easy start would not last long.
Soon, the trail tilted upward, and the steep section revealed itself. My breathing became heavier, my legs warmed quickly, and each step felt like part of a steady climb into a wilder world.
As I gained height, the reward came into view. To my right, the mountains rose magnificently, their peaks sharp and commanding. The most dominant sight was Mount Terry Fox, its summit often carrying a touch of snow even in summer,
while to the north the distant outline of Canoe Mountain stretched along the horizon. Together with the Monashee Range that loomed behind, they formed a backdrop of strength and serenity that reminded me why I love to hike.
The trail then bent away from the open views and carried me deeper into the forest. The air cooled, the light softened, and the tall trees muffled most of the outside world. It felt almost like stepping into another realm. The path wound steadily forward, and just as I began to wonder what the next surprise would be, I reached a small suspension bridge. It swayed under my steps, moving more than I expected. For a moment I felt a playful sense of adventure, balancing carefully as the bridge shifted and bounced while the creek murmured below.
Later in the afternoon, at four o’clock, I set out again for a the next trail: the Big Dune Trail in Jackman Flats Provincial Park. This walk was 6.3 kilometers long, and right from the start it was clear that it would feel very different from the morning. The first kilometer stretched under the strong sun. It was hot, dry, and exposed, with little shade to protect me. Around me, fallen and burned trees lay scattered across the land, stark reminders of a wildfire that must have passed through several years ago. Their blackened shapes told a story of destruction and resilience, while the sandy soil radiated heat back into the air.
Just when the monotony of the scorched landscape threatened to take over, the trail revealed its hidden beauty. Suddenly, the mountains appeared—first faint and distant, then sharper and more dramatic with every turn of the path. To the northeast, the jagged Cariboo Mountains rose against the sky,
while in the west, the Monashees shifted into view, changing shape with each new perspective. I found myself stopping again and again, unable to resist capturing the shifting panorama in photos. The landscape seemed to offer a new painting every few steps, each angle more striking than the last.
By the end of the hike, the heat of the day had taken its toll. I noticed salt stripes forming on my T-shirt, a clear sign of how much I had sweated under the relentless sun.
Tired but satisfied, I returned to Valemount, looking forward to the comfort of a shower. Clean and refreshed, I rewarded myself the way a hiker should: with a Papa Burger, fries, and an enormous Coke at A&W. After the long climbs, hot sand, and unforgettable views, the simple taste of that meal felt like the perfect ending to a day of discovery in the mountains and valleys around Valemount.