THE CARIBOO CANIM FALLS
Feeling fortunate to live in a place that boasts amazing, natural beauty
Igrew up here in 100 Mile House and started going to Canim Falls about 20 years ago. What began with taking a 45-minute drive from 100 Mile House just to check it out, evolved over the years into a love for a place that I make sure to visit at least once a season. It’s a beautiful scenic drive through miles of thick forest and past one of our areas largest lakes, Canim Lake.
There’s just something so peaceful about the Canim Falls; you get a sense of calm as you stroll along the trail, which is only a 20-minute walk to the main falls. You hear the waterfalls getting louder and louder as you get closer. Once you hit the main viewpoint, which is safely tucked behind a fence, it’s really breathtaking.
You can carry on further up the trail to the top of the waterfall and see even more ice and snow formations, as well as view the canyon from the top of the waterfall, carefully I must add—and not recommended if you’re afraid of heights.
One of the things I love best about Canim Falls is how every year, it’s different. If it’s a really cold winter, the waterfall freezes in thick, bluish-tinged icicles, while if it’s a milder winter, the icicles appear more clear. Certain factors determine how the icicles form, including the flow and amount of water, as well as whether or not fallen trees have blocked the water’s path. Each time we visit, it’s like visiting somewhere new, yet still so familiar.
The trail changes annually as well. New fungus, animal tracks and old trees that just can’t bear the weight of a heavy snow, snap and fall over each other, creating a different visual experience each and every year.
Just this past summer, my husband, Von, and I scaled down the mountainside to the base of the falls. We had done it before, about 12 years ago, but I’d forgotten how beautiful it was. It was like a whole different world down below, filled with mossy boulders, insects I’ve never seen before and even some plants, which obviously thrive in that misty environment.
I’d love to hike down in the winter as it’s something I have yet to do. I may attempt it this year if it’s safe.
We’re instilling the importance of being outdoors and appreciating our natural environment in our girls by making sure to expose them to as much of our “own backyard” as possible. It’s such a beautiful place and we want them to always respect nature and appreciate its changing beauty. Taking them to Canim Falls once or twice a year is a great way to do that and the best part is, it’s free! It’s a place that is visited often by locals and tourists—it’s definitely one of B.C.’S hidden natural gems.