Headed up to Malign (pronounced “Maleen”) Canyon and Maligne Lake. It’s a bit of a schlep so GyPSy entertained us with historical anecdotes, observations and descriptions of points of interest, plus more geologic instruction and naturalist knowledge.
Historical Reference Alert!
As with most of North America, locales, mountains, rivers, and other natural features were “discovered” and named by Europeans. Indigenous peoples, or “First Nation” here in Canada, obviously had known and named these places generations before the arrival of Europeans. Sometimes the modern name us a result of a mispronunciation of the original Native place-name. In a few instances, the modern name has reverted to an original designation.
Maligne Canyon is amazing!
Geologists tell us that this was originally a series of underground caves. As the glacier above moved over the area, it scraped off the layers of rock, and the caves were revealed from above. Instead of a canyon as we know it, created from the steady erosion from a river, this canyon is a series of rounded “rooms” that descend down the mountain, filled with rushing water from the river.
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We trekked down about half-way, mesmerized by the power and beauty!
Milo agreed…
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Visited Maligne Lake next (sense a theme here?) , had a picnic lunch, and a stroll around the lake.
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Back at the campsite, Milo was clearly worn out from the wonder of it all.
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