Fairmont Hot Springs….and Marion Benchlands Trail.

Once again we are out traveling the highways and byways of Canada. First stop was our regular spot just north of Calgary to ‘shake out the bugs’ and to visit with the youngest for a few days before heading off again. Truth be told we did not really have a plan of where we were going next…so the stop in Calgary was as much to figure out what, if anything, we had forgotten…stock up a little on groceries …take the cat to the vet…and make a bit of a plan.

Pitching camp at the Fairmont Hot Springs is always an easy decision…and handily only a three hour drive from the north of Calgary. Of course there’s a bit of mountainous driving and a couple of 8% grades just to make sure one is awake….it’s always delightful to find that your brakes work just fine…!!

We spotted our first grizzly bear standing by the side of the road just before Radium…….no time to stop and say hello…we just waved as we whizzed on by and said a silent thank you to the order of grizzly bears for putting that one not-in our path…!!

Fairmont is just such a beautiful place …and the BC landscape is so very distinctive.

The first hike of this adventure series was Marion Benchlands. A relatively easy 12 km loop trail along the Marion Bench and back. Mount Marion is a member of the Purcell Range which sits on the west side of the Colombia Valley.

Added bonus, it’s an easy 10 minute drive from the campground.

The starting point, as with many BC trails we have walked, is fully stocked with cows…!!!

Since it is our first in a while, and we are not getting any younger, a fairly easy hike was selected just to get us back in the swing of things

We still wanted the climb to reward with some views………and Marion did not disappoint…….

Realizing that we had not seen BC in this season, it was wonderful to see the landscape lush and plentiful with wildflowers.

The hike itself followed a ridge around a canyon, a welcome combination of shaded forest and wide open meadows

As we walked the light breeze brought intermittent wafts of wildflower fragrance….and then after a deep breath of anticipation……. the next waft would be cow fragrance….😂

The Colombia Valley is impressive to say the least….

A littering of prairie roses (one of the few wildflowers I can readily identify…..my mother would probably be horrified……she would have their latin names and medicinal uses tripping off her tongue as we walked…LOL). So pretty..!!

As we descended the ridge, a pack of large bovines were sunning on the path. I’m not sure why I had to pick up the big stick to walk past them. I am not sure what I would have actually done with it…..but I did feel better with it in my hand..!!

….and back down to the truck again. It was a nice easy 12km walk on a beautiful warm day free of humidity and best of all……..no bugs..!!

An excellent start to our season leaving us still able to walk the day after and looking forward to finding more beautiful spots and interesting vistas. 😁

Extra pix.