June 13, 2024.
5.7 mi. |1220′ ele. gain | 5:50 hr.
I had read about the Baba Canyon hike online in my Alaska Highway research. It looked like a fun and challenging scramble up a creek bed that also had good wildflower and wildlife viewing opportunities.
On the short drive to the trailhead, we got our first wildlife sighting: caribou! Soon after that, Stone sheep. I could tell it was going to be a good day.
We parked the van and walked across the road to the trailhead sign board. Although the route is easily researched online, there’s no official trail, you just hike up the creek. I knew we’d have to cross the creek several times, so I suggested we wear our Bedrock sandals to make the hike less annoying. They’ve served us well on similar hikes. Soon, we realized it would take us awhile to get anywhere because I kept stopping to admire the wildflowers. As a curious plant enthusiast, hiking in an unfamiliar place is like being a kid in a candy store. I wanted to look at everything and I didn’t know what many things were. I took careful pictures of flowers, leaves and other unique features so I could look them up later.
As we followed the canyon, we crossed the creek several times, either in the glacially cold water or along conveniently located boulders. Each twist of the canyon brought new challenges and more beauty. Occasionally we had to hike away from the water on steep user paths in the low-growing shrubs to avoid waterfalls and other impassable features. We saw a few more sheep along the way.
Waterfall after waterfall, we continued climbing. Eventually we reached a broad basin where the canyon split in multiple directions. Knowing rain was on the way, we decided to call it good there. We backtracked to a waterfall that I’d wanted to paint and took a long rest break there. When we sat down, the sun was shining and we stripped off some layers to enjoy some Vitamin D. Within the hour, I felt a raindrop. Then another. I was so close to being done, but I had to finish painting right then and there. The air now was brisk and damp. I put all my layers back on, packed up my painting supplies and tried to protect my wet artwork underneath my jacket as we hiked down canyon.
As we retraced our steps, I looked feverishly for the one plant I hadn’t seen yet: the yellow ladyslipper. I’ve been on the hunt for this wildflower for weeks, ever since I learned it existed. I read that this was a good place to find them and the timing seemed to be just about right. I’d seen fairyslipper, anemone, kinnickinick, lapland rosebay, lousewort, so many other wildflowers. But not the prize. Earlier, I let Aaron know I would be searching for this plant. Just before reaching the trailhead, he said, “is that your ladyslipper?”
I looked down and I saw one; it was barely recognizable because the petals hadn’t unfurled yet. “How did you see that?” I shrieked. I crouched down and carefully coaxed the petals open to see this beautiful shape. We found a few more, also in this closed up state. But I was thrilled.
With the excitement levels high, we returned to the van and began to drive away. Suddenly, Aaron hits the brakes, says “look out there,” and points out the window. I hop out of the van to find myself amidst dozens of clusters of yellow ladyslippers, fully open and in their full glory. EEEEEE! I can barely contain myself. I spent the next ten minutes tiptoeing to each bunch of golden beauties and took many, many photos from all different angles. I didn’t know if I’d find these again.
Happiness meter now through the roof, we drove back to camp. On the way, we stopped to watch a mama and baby Stone sheep, then later some caribou. Northern BC has stolen my heart. There’s so much to see and experience here. I look forward to what wonders I’ll discover along the rest of this drive.
