Having explored the hiking options near Liard River Hot Springs, we next set our sights on the Muncho Lake area to the east. On Thursday, August 4, 2016, we started our day's adventure with a short hike on the Mineral Lick Trail. We didn't have much to go on other than a short description in the Mile Post stating 5-10 minute loop trail overlooking the Trout River. As we started hiking, we began to think there was more to this hike than first described. Kathy thinks she sees hoodoos just beyond the tree line.
The Mile Post didn't lie, but it failed to convey the expansiveness of the views of the Trout River.
Nor did it make any mention of the huge hoodoos made of fine glacier silt slowly eroding away.
What the Mineral Licks Trail lacks in mileage, it makes up in scenic views.
In this section of the Northern Rocky Mountains, services are few and far between. Northern Rockies Lodge is a full-service facility on the shores of Muncho Lake. We decided we would treat ourselves to lunch in their restaurant. On the way, we stopped at the Muncho Lake overlook. The jade green color of the lake is attributed to the presence of copper oxide leached from the bedrock underneath. The milky blue comes from old glacier silt.
Northern Rockies Lodge is the newest hotel along the Alaska Highway in this region. They have it all - a hotel, fully licensed dining room, lounge, motel, cabins, lakeshore chalets, RV camping, fly-in outpost cabins, sauna and a gas station. We were afraid it would be pretentious, but found while they added a number of amenities, it still retained some of its existing rustic roadside charm.
After a walk along the shores of Muncho Lake, it was time to work off the schnitzel sandwiches and fries we had for lunch. After talking with the receptionist at the lodge, we decided to hike up Boulder Canyon. Here Dave is practicing the proper hiking position as dictated by the sign.
Our destination stretches out before us. This is not the first time we've hiked on an alluvial fan. The rocky fields remind us of Death Valley only greener.
Looking back from whence we came. So many rocks, so little time!
The canyon begins to narrow. You go first Dave, it could be dangerous!
As we worked our way back into the canyon, we reach a 25 foot high wall of solid slick rock. We decided to make this our turnaround point. We could have backtracked and gone up and over the canyon to continue upstream, but the Liard Hot Springs were calling. Lucky for us, the return trip was all downhill.
We did have to make one stop on the way back to camp, to help a family of Stone Sheep safely cross the road.
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